Significantly reduces the recoil of firearms. The Gdańsk Tech graduate's project was created out of passion | Gdańsk University of Technology

– The muzzle brake is a gas-dynamic device mounted at the end of the barrel. It reduces the perceived recoil of a firearm - this is very important for the shooter, because the recoil negatively affects the control of the weapon. This translates into accuracy and comfort of shooting, it can even cause injury to the shooter - said Kornel Piłat.

The muzzle device is divided into reaction, action and reaction-action parts. The first directs the gases backwards. These cause the weapon to stop moving backwards and reduce the felt recoil. The second is connected to the dynamic pressure - the pressure hits the brake walls and drives the weapon forward.

Additional geometry

The idea for the "Project of a muzzle device for a sniper rifle" came from passion - Kornel Piłat. MSc, Eng. is a sports shooter. The aim of the project was to develop an innovative muzzle brake and its optimization through theoretical and experimental analysis of selected muzzle device solutions. The graduate himself created a model of the geometry of the solution and compared it with those available on the market.

– Using the Ansys Fluent flow analysis tool, I modeled one shot from different brake models. This allowed me to check what recoil force would act on the shooter with different types. I studied the pressure and temperature fields. Research has shown that in fact - this additional geometry works - added Kornel Piłat.

The project was tested in real conditions at the shooting range in Dąbrówka. You can see the muzzle brake in slow motion in the animations below. Their authors are: prof. Jerzy Ejsmont, prof. Grzegorz Ronowski and Kornel Piłat. MSc, Eng.

The analysis of the tested models was carried out using numerical calculations using the finite element method in the CFD environment. In the thesis, the graduate presented an analysis of the recoil and jump of barreled small arms. He explained the causes of the recoil and jump phenomena and their impact on the weapon and the shooter. The thesis also presents various types of muzzle devices, their division and principle of operation. For each type of device, its diagram and advantages and disadvantages of use have been presented. The researcher analyzed the discharge of powder gases, the process of creating shock waves and flashes of the shot for a barrel without muzzle devices. The flow of powder gases through the muzzle brake was also discussed. The work presents the process of creating models for CFD computer calculations.