The discussion opens with the common experience of noticing one rifle recoiling harder than another at the range and focuses on how to reduce felt recoil. The setting is Take Aim Training and Range, with several rifles on hand: a couple of AR-15s, a couple of AK variants, and another rifle to be covered later. Key factors identified for recoil reduction include muzzle devices, overall firearm weight, buffer systems on AR platforms, sling use, and foregrips. The goal is to show how these elements influence how soft a gun feels under recoil, using real shooting observations rather than theory alone.
The first rifle examined is a Colt Trooper AR-15. It is described as a lightweight, basic AR that comes from the factory with a full-length M-LOK rail and a 16-inch barrel. The rifle is chambered in 5.56/.223 and is being fired with 55-grain .223 ammunition. It uses a standard birdcage-style flash hider that also functions as a compensator because the ports are oriented on the top while the bottom is closed. With a QD ACOG optic mounted, the shooter notes that proper stance and getting body weight behind the rifle are crucial for recoil mitigation. While shooting, the rifle feels light and manageable, with some noticeable but acceptable muzzle rise visible through the ACOG reticle.
The next comparison uses another Colt AR-15 with a heavier quad rail, adding weight compared to the lighter Trooper. The ACOG is moved over so reticle movement can again be used to judge recoil. A Magpul MS-series sling is added and cinched tight to pull the rifle firmly into the shoulder pocket, trading a bit of comfort for increased stability. With this setup, the reticle moves less under recoil than on the lightweight rifle, and the gun feels flatter shooting. A suppressor is then added to the AR, increasing weight at the muzzle. This further softens recoil and reduces muzzle climb, though it can send more gas back toward the shooter’s face depending on how gassy the rifle is. Despite the added weight and some gas blowback, the suppressed AR-15 remains easy and pleasant to shoot, making it suitable even for newer shooters.
Attention shifts to the AK platform with a Zastava M70 chambered in 7.62x39. This rifle features a bulged trunnion and is noticeably heavier than a basic AR-15, though roughly comparable to a fully accessorized M4-style rifle. It uses a traditional slant brake, which directs gas to the side and slightly upward. For a right-handed shooter, the brake is oriented so gases vent away from the line of sight. When fired, the 7.62x39 cartridge delivers a stronger impulse than 5.56, but the recoil is still described as manageable and enjoyable. Cycling the M70 feels solid, and the combination of the heavier rifle and slant brake keeps the recoil within a range that even newer shooters should be able to handle without difficulty.
Another AK, identified as Ryan’s rifle, is introduced for a more refined recoil comparison. It is also chambered in 7.62x39 but equipped with a dedicated muzzle brake rather than a simple slant brake. The muzzle brake vents gases out to the sides, which is intended to keep the rifle very flat under recoil. This AK is slightly heavier due to its rail system and includes a forward hand stop. The hand stop allows the shooter to pull the rifle firmly into the shoulder and maintain a strong, consistent grip. When fired, this setup is described as one of the flattest shooting AKs the shooter has used, with noticeable gas blast directed sideways. In an indoor range, such a brake can be unpleasant for shooters in adjacent lanes, which leads into a discussion of devices that redirect blast more forward.
To address side blast from the muzzle brake, a SureFire Warden blast deflector is demonstrated. The Warden is not a suppressor; it is essentially a hollow device with no internal baffles that mounts like a SureFire silencer. Its purpose is to redirect blast and gases forward instead of out the sides. With the Warden installed on the AK, there is slightly more muzzle movement because the brake’s side venting is no longer exposed, but the shooting experience remains acceptable and more considerate for nearby shooters. The video then transitions to using an actual suppressor on the 7.62x39 AK. Unlike the Warden, the suppressor retains gases internally and heats up more quickly. Shooting suppressed 7.62x39 remains enjoyable, and the cartridge and AK platform are recommended for those who appreciate this caliber, with positive mentions of Zastava and Meridian Defense rifles.
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