A muzzle brake is a device that redirects exhaust gases from a firearm in order to counter recoil and unwanted rising of the barrel during firing. The reduction in recoil energy can result in less muzzle rise, allowing for quicker follow-up shots. Muzzle brakes are commonly used on increasingly powerful sniper rifles and long-range artillery guns.
Muzzle brakes work by redirecting the propellant gases that exit the muzzle after a round is fired. By doing this, the rearward force exerted on the firearm by these gases is reduced, leading to less felt recoil for the shooter. These devices usually have internal baffles or expansion chambers that serve to increase surface area and cause turbulence in the gas flow, both of which help to reduce recoil.