Well fellows, I have just recently sent my Reeger 475 Linbaugh back to Reeder to have a brake installed. I had been shooting in pain for about a year and it had really started doing damage to my wrist. Not to mention, starting to cause bad habits (flinching). This is the first firearm I have ever fired with a muzzle brake on it. So, I wasn't sure what to expect. You know all the horror story's about how much louder they are, how they blow the concusion back in your face, how they effect accuracy and so on. Well, I never shoot any weapon without hearing protection anyway so, I couldn't tell a bit of difference in the volume. But, I could tell a big difference in the recoil. I am sold on brakes, point blank. I had been discusing the issue with some experience handgunner's from this site and well....they didn't really have to twist my arm. My 475 Lingbaugh, shooting 375gr cast bullets, pushed with 28grs of H110, now feels like shooting my 44 mag with heavy loads. It's a very noticeable difference. (And it looks COOL too)I'm sure it's different results with diferent calibers and firearms but, bottom line....they're nice and they work. I know I'm not sharing any breaking news with some of you "smarter shooters" out there..LOL..that already been shooting with brakes for years. Now that I can concentrate on shooting fundamentals and not painful recoil, my shooting with this bad boy has improved. I guess if this makes me less of a man, I'm just less of a man with less pain...LOL
Here's what she looks like with the new "Wimp Extension"


Let's hear some of y'alls oppinions on muzzle brakes (Pro's and Con's). I think I'm gonna have my 44 ported next...

Looks good and if it helps you shoot better than that's what really matters.

I think with that length I would have had them put sling studs on it too (I sure wish I had them on my 10" 454) but it looks great and I'm sure that brake installed it's much more pleasant to shoot.

Gary, I've always been just a little shy of sling studs on a handgun but, I've never handle one or shot one with them. I've just always perferred holsters, for what ever reason.

Like MIHunter said, if it improves accuracy, thats all that matters. It will give you more confidence when your hunting and it looks good too! Its no fun shooting a gun that beats you up.

I don’t like breaks BUT, I DO use them and rounds that merit them!!!! Kral… nice rig!

Thats 1 racey looking baby!! I'm w/TC. not a big break fan but that probably needs it. Beautiful.

My experience w/breaks is that they're just so dang loud. When a hunted w/my Mag-Na-Port Stalker I actually disliked dropping the hammer. & breaks are worse. As an aside. The sling swivels drove me nuts. Hated them. I just like gun in my hand.

Looks sharp! Gary did a nice job for you.

The only two revolvers that have breaks are my 500 and 460 Smiths, I have never shot them without so I can't really say if they reduce recoil or not. I have had and have breaks on Encore barrels. Some breaks work well in reducing recoil. The shark gill breaks on my Encore barrels don't increase the noise or back pressure to the shooter. The recoil is tamed very well. Just screw the break off and shoot it once and you feel the differance right quick. The 445 barrel I had was nasty without the break.

The factory break on the Strikers that you can turn on and off are worthless. I have noticed no recoil reduction and the pressure from the break feels like someone is thumping you in the soft spot on top of your head.

Having shot an unbraked Contender in .45-70 with 400 gr. Speers, I can appreciate the idea of wrist damage. Took me two rounds (hurt my wrist) to decide to trade that barrel off. Got a magnaported version - upped the charges to near max (1650 fps w/ 400 Speers) - and never looked back. Don't even notice the recoil and it puts the stamp on stuff.

I have a 378GNR and 8mmGNR in muzzle brake 16" long barrels rather shoot them than a full house 454 casull SRH. Would not find it pleasureable without but I may be a little touch on earsplittinloudinboominbustinshoulder firearms.

Glad it made it easier to shoot just DON"T CREEDMORE the pistol or you could blow off or gas cut portions of your lower leg.

all of my big stuff is going in after hunting season for brakes. shooting big bores has destroyed my right wrist. I ruptured the ligaments and one of the bones has moved 45 degrees so if I dont' tape my wrist and wear a brace my wrist will give and I can't stop the recoil very well. They are going to pin the bones back into place and put a plate from my arm to my hand and fuse the whole mess back together , that takes place in January after my 3 level back fusion in December. I highly recommend brakes or wrist supports of some type if your going to shoot the big stuff with heavy loads on a regular basis. I had to get rid of all my high powered rifles and my 45-70 Marlin is going in for a brake also because of my neck fusion. Although firearms weren't the only cause I've had neck, shoulder and now wrist surgery that was partially caused by and has directly affected my ability to shoot long guns and handguns and most of it could have been prevented by sissy pads or wrist braces. I had to part with my 375H&H 375RUM, 300 RUM, 300 Weatherby, and 458 Lott and I'm doing everything I can to keep my handguns and still use them.

wapitirod, that's the exact reason I got the brake...before I got to the point of surgery and not able to shoot anymore...Hope your surgery's work for the best...KRal

What a collection to have to part with. No wonder you have such fine handguns!

I don't mind brakes at all.
I always shoot with ear protection and most of the time I have eye protection. My electronic muffs are awesome for hunting and they keep my ears warm. Guys I hunt with kinda laughed at them at first, now they kinda like them.
Brakes are fine for me, I'm saving to get a brake put on my 45-70 Encore and my 6.5x284 Encore pistols barrels.

Breaks are great.

I have my SSK 45-70 and 375JDJ Magnaported w/4 ports. Made a tremendous difference. My 338JDJ has the Magnabreak by Magnaport. It's a pussycat now with 200grn Accubonds.
My 7-08 15" XP has a break and is great for follow up shots and I think they are some of the reason my scopes last as long as they do.

I'm sending my Ruger SBH Hunter in 45LC to Magnaport for the Predator Package or someting similar after hunting season.

I have worked construction all my life. Shot Bullseye for 10 years and muzzleloading pistols for 25yrs in competition and now I have been making and shooting primitve bows for 10 years. My wrists, fingers, elbows and shoulders are starting to complain. I want to continue shooting all of these and if breaks help, that is what I will do. I can't see the argument about them being TOO loud when ear protection should be worn at all times.
I can't tell the difference in the 45-70 or 375 as far as being louder. They are just more fun to shoot for me and others that like to try them for the first time.
Just my 2 cents.

Mike