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Review: PWS Triad

In the time that it takes you to read this sentence, 10 new AR-15 muzzle brakes/compensators will have come to market. That may be a slight exaggeration, but there is certainly no shortage of options currently available with new ones coming frequently.

The PWS Triad is one of the more unique devices to come down the pike in recent history. It lacks the multitude of small holes or large side ports of most devices that claim to help control muzzle rise. In fact, it looks like a fairly run of the mill 3 prong flash suppressor. So, can a device that looks like a flash suppressor perform like a compensator? Read on.

PWA Triad

Overview

The Triad isn’t a compensator or muzzle brake. It is a flash suppressor that helps control muzzle rise. Most hybrid devices (devices that both suppress flash and muzzle rise) tend more toward a muzzle brake in terms of design and function. The Triad is more like a flash suppressor in terms of design and function.

The flash suppression is accomplished via 3 large prongs not unlike other flash suppressors on the market. The muzzle rise reduction is accomplished by extending the slot between the prongs at 1:30 position (from the shooter’s point of view) back a bit further. I am sure there is also some internal shaping/magic that also helps.

Observations from Use

There are really two ways to judge the Triad. You can judge it on its flash suppression and on how it reduces muzzle rise.  I will address each separately.

The Triad is a good flash suppressor. It is not quite as effective as the best flash suppressors on the market, but, remember, it has an additional trick up its sleeve. I would say in my limited dusk testing, that it suppresses flash better than an A2 on a 16” barrel. It is a bit better performing than something like a YHM Phantom. It sounds like I am downplaying its performance as a flash suppressor but that is actually quite good – better than any other hybrid device that I have tried. I should also note that it doesn’t ring/ping like some pronged flash suppressors.

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Your impressions of how effective the Triad is at controlling the muzzle will likely vary depending on your skill level as a shooter. Those who do an excellent job of controlling the muzzle rise of an AR-15 through their use of grip and stance will find that the Triad may actually force the muzzle down a bit. It seems that devices attempt to steady the muzzle one of two ways – they either try to trap the muzzle in space (by venting gases out both sides or fairly evenly around the device) or vent gases up to force the muzzle down. The Triad is definitely in the later camp.

I actually liked it quite a bit. While it doesn’t keep the muzzle as steady as something like a PWS FSC556 would, it does offer an extra degree of control without any real additional sound or overpressure… or at least none that was noticeable to the shooter or those beside the shooter. That is the real story here. PWS has managed to create a device that helps control the muzzle without all the negative side effects. That alone makes this a noteworthy device to me.

Wrap Up

The Triad isn’t the best performing flash suppressor. It isn’t the best performing compensator (it isn’t really even a compensator at all). However, it is one of the best functional combinations of the two that I have used. This is an impressive device in terms of its all-round performance. If you are looking for a device that offers some muzzle control, but flash suppression and over-pressure/concussive blast are a concern for you, the Triad should be on your list of devices to try.

I got my PWS Triad from Brownells.com.

Sub-$60 Muzzle Brakes

I recently wrote an article that revolved around the idea that practice can help you reduce and control muzzle rise more than a $100-400 muzzle device and that muzzle brakes make good shooters better; they don’t turn poor shoopers into good ones. A few of you pointed out that you don’t need to spend $100 on a muzzle device. While I don’t think the availability of relatively inexpensive muzzle devices changes the truth of the article, it is certainly worth taking a look at some muzzle devices that won’t break the bank.

All of the muzzle brakes/compensators mentioned below are devices that I have used and that cost less than $60 retail (much less in most cases). This is not a complete list of sub-$60 muzzle devices…

Cavalry Arms Cav Comp – The Cav Comp has been around for what seems like forever and at less than $30 it is easy to see why if you try one. It works quite well at keeping the muzzle level. It is loud but not the loudest comp that I have tried. It also tends to be fairly flashy (more than an A2 flash suppressor but less than a bare muzzle).

Manticore Arms NightBrake – The NightBrake is available for AKs and ARs. The AK version is impressive in that it is at least as effective as the AKsevntifur brake with less flash and less tooth rattling shock wave. It is also designed to create some back-pressure so it make take the place of a booster for some SBR AKs. I have limited time with the AR version but the experience was much the same as with the AK version. It is well balanced in terms of flash, concussion, performance, and price.

PWS Triad – The PWS Triad is an interesting device. It is the only device on this list that isn’t a compensator or muzzle brake. It is actually a flash suppressor that uses some unique internal geometry to redirect muzzle gasses in such a way that muzzle rise is reduced without the concussion of a brake or compensator. In my experience, it keeps the muzzle down but doesn’t do much for recoil so, if you don’t have a good feel for how to completely control all phases of recoil, the carbine will still move around a bit.

Carlson Comps Carlson Comp – The Carlson Comp looks a bit like an AK 100 series brake for the AR but there is a key difference in the performance. The Carlson Comp directs more of the noise and concussion upward rather than to the sides. It isn’t quiet but it also isn’t as harsh as other comps to those who are standing to the sides of the shooter.

Levang Linear Comp – The Levang Linear Comp is fairly unique among the devices listed. It does reduce muzzle rise a bit but its main mission is to redirect sound. It pushes concussion and sound forward which makes the lives of the shooter and those around the shooter much more pleasant. It does not reduce sound. It simply redirects it. These are popular for use on an SBR to redirect the concussive sound from the shorter barrel away from the shooter.

Rainier Arms XTC – The Rainier Arms XTC is a bit of a hybrid device. It has properties from both a compensator and a flash suppressor. The result of the mix of features is a device that suppresses flash fairly well and controls the muzzle very well. It seems to suppress flash nearly as well as an A2 flash suppressor and it is on the loud side. I find this to be very well balanced in terms of muzzle rise mitigation.

Rainier Arms Mini Compensator – This is also somewhat unique among the devices listed due to its incredibly small size. It is very light weight and very compact. I found that it was fairly loud and a bit flashy but it was also very effective (more effective than many other larger devices that I have tried).

All of the devices listed above will help a shooter who has a trained to a proper grip and stance keep the muzzle very flat. However, shooters who do not already have a degree of muzzle control built into their technique will find that the muzzle will still move quite a bit with just about any muzzle device. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great muzzle device but you do have to spend the time it takes to get the most out of it.

PWS ARC 10/22 Magazine Release Lever

Image courtesy of PWS.

PWS is venturing into the world of 10/22 accessories with their ARC (Advanced Rimfire Components) series. One of the first ARC offerings is an extended magazine release lever that is different from anything I have seen before. Several companies make extended magazine releases for the 10/22 that make it easier to release the magazine with the support hand, but the ARC Magazine Release Lever allows the user to actuate the magazine release with the firing hand while maintaining a firing grip.

The ARC release runs along the front of the trigger guard and has a wide tab that sits within reach of the trigger finger. The shooter simply extends the trigger finger forward and pushes the lever in order to drop the magazine.The entire lever still looks very compact and PWS claims that the magazine will not release accidentally.

The PWS website has more pictures and details.

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PWS Customer Service is Top Notch

Several weeks ago I sent PWS an email regarding a problem I was having with one of their FSC556 flash suppressing compensators. It was too tight to thread onto several different barrels that I tried and I pretty much mutilated the finish trying to take it on and off. Weeks went by with no response so I shot them a second email explaining the situation and mentioning that I had previously sent an email.

I got a very nicely worded and apologetic response within 10 minutes even though it was after business hours. My previous email had simply slipped through the cracks. Stacy at PWS told me to send it in and even offered me a hat for my trouble. I sent the FSC556 in expecting that they would chase the threads and return it.

Today I received a package from PWS. It contained a hat, two bumper stickers, and a brand new FSC556. I am very pleased with both the excellent products that PWS manufactures and the customer service that backs the products.

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