Zendl Muzzle Brake Discussion and Evaluation, Possible Group Buy

[RSR]

I just posted a small trial group buy for Zendl/GunExpert Muzzle Brakes over on the buy/sell boards: http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=64999
NOTE: 10 brakes are available now per instructions at the above link.  Beyond those, a future group buy is a possibility if interest.  I figured an initial evaluation is a good first step.

As part of this trial, I am asking folks to post their experiences/evaluations of the brakes in this thread. 

The short version is that these are made by renowned Czech gunsmith Antonin Zendl who makes/designed all of the GunExpert products on vz58rifle.com.  And these are a very much improved version of the Slovak brake.  These are customized for the 7.62x39 VZ58.  There is a separate brake design for 5.56 Nato guns -- can possibly group buy these too if interest. 
-These 7.62x39 brakes nearly eliminate muzzle rise, provide exceptional lateral stabilization, and are advertised to reduce felt recoil by 35%. 
-Significantly reduces muzzle flash
-Czech made of 15 grade arsenal steel
-Durable matte black finish
-Thoroughly tested and approved for Czech Military use by VT?VM Slavi??n, the Czech Republic's Military Technical Institute (roughly, the Czech Republic's version of DARPA)

Please see the videos in the next post for exact performance.

Here are some pictures of the product (there is a small product code on the bottom that is not visible in these pics):

[RSR]

Zendl in action:

Part 1, without Zendl:
http://youtu.be/s-gL6mEEHTo

Part 2, with Zendl:
http://youtu.be/nmC-qba08GY

Another comparison:
http://youtu.be/o8F58K7n3es

[Ned Kelly]

I wonder how these round slot Zendl brakes compare to the Zendl's Spear brake?
Looking forward to see reviews.

[cz671]

How much would this cost?

[cz671]

Oops, just clicked the link to your first thread.   $67 bucks....sorry but my $35 vz58 military brake works just as good.  But great info. on it and great machining

[RSR]

I don't think the standard Slovak is just as good.

The Type 2 Slovak with larger side ports and slant cuts on top works noticeably better for semi auto shooting IMO -- the Slovak you have is better in Full Auto with its predominant focus on eliminating muzzle rise with lateral stabilization and felt recoil reduction secondary considerations.

The single piece best brake that I have tried to date is the Large Baffle Brake however (it runs about $40, or 2/3rds the cost of Zendl and about 1/3rd more than the standard Slovak). 
http://youtu.be/e05XRpAXqpM

The 2 piece special forces is my all around favorite and the closest competitor to the Zendl.

From what I have seen thus far -- haven't shot them yet as I just received yesterday and am not going to be getting to the range for at least another week due to the holiday --  is that the Zendl's edge over other one piece brakes comes with both the Flash Reduction (as confirmed by VT?VM Slavi??n testing) when most brakes magnify flash into the shooter's sight picture as well as the shooting shoulder specific stabilization that accounts for left or right handed (right handed has extra/third side port on right side and one less/two on left, whereas the left is the opposite). 

I'm big on flash reduction with any muzzle device as IMO opinion home defense is most likely to occur in limited light situations, just like more than 2/3rds of modern combat. 

And the Zendl is still 1/3rd or more cheaper than the Special Forces brake, that is if you can find it!

[Brasky]

Zendl in action:

Another comparison:
http://youtu.be/o8F58K7n3es

This guy holds the rifle in different positions in the before and after vids. You have to be very critical when watching these comparison vids because the person in the video may want a certain brake to win

[TJNewton]

Zendl in action:

Another comparison:
http://youtu.be/o8F58K7n3es

This guy holds the rifle in different positions in the before and after vids. You have to be very critical when watching these comparison vids because the person in the video may want a certain brake to win

If there's bias, the shooter may not even realize he's doing it.  That's why there are double-blind tests.  Double-blind in this situation would be difficult, but single blind would be easy:  Blindfold the shooter, and hand him a rifle with a different or no brake each time, and then note the recoil and muzzle rise.  The only thing to tip him off would be the difference in weight between brakes, and although that can also be simulated, it may be that the extra weight of a particular muzzle brake is inherent to its effectiveness.

[RSR]

I watched that 3rd video several times and I'm not seeing whatever you're seeing Brasky.

They're slightly different camera perspectives, but hip orientation is the same, as are elbow and grip angles, as well as his head orientation/sight picture (the last is the hardest to tell w/the post in the way, but it does appear to be the same if you pause when you get better views w/ the brake).

FWIW, that's why I posted the first two videos too.  They're easier to see and reflect a more modern and controlled shooting stance.  The third video is more of a standing target shooter stance than a combat one where you lean into your rifle...

[Brasky]

I watched that 3rd video several times and I'm not seeing whatever you're seeing Brasky.

They're slightly different camera perspectives, but hip orientation is the same, as are elbow and grip angles, as well as his head orientation/sight picture (the last is the hardest to tell w/the post in the way, but it does appear to be the same if you pause when you get better views w/ the brake).

FWIW, that's why I posted the first two videos too.  They're easier to see and reflect a more modern and controlled shooting stance.  The third video is more of a standing target shooter stance than a combat one where you lean into your rifle...

In the last video he holds the rifle slightly upward without the brake and slightly downward with the brake. Not a huge difference but it will amplify the brakes visual effect

[RSR]

I think that's the camera being rotated.  If you follow the roof/shooting bench line (EDIT: actually easier to see if you follow the barrier/ridge line in top right of the video screen), you'll see the camera is rotated slightly clockwise in the first clip, which makes the rifle barrel appear slightly higher.  The camera actually starts to rotate counterclockwise at the end of (after firing) the first/no brake clip back to where it sits in the second.

And the shooter appears to be taking aimed shots, presumably at the same target in both...

[RSR]

Just to note, 2 Rights and 3 Lefts remain available and reserved for forum members.  Am now open to purchase of more than one and multiples get a small price reduction per add'l for combined shipping.

Thanks.

[suhw33t]

I don't think the standard Slovak is just as good.

The Type 2 Slovak with larger side ports and slant cuts on top works noticeably better for semi auto shooting IMO -- the Slovak you have is better in Full Auto with its predominant focus on eliminating muzzle rise with lateral stabilization and felt recoil reduction secondary considerations.

The single piece best brake that I have tried to date is the Large Baffle Brake however (it runs about $40, or 2/3rds the cost of Zendl and about 1/3rd more than the standard Slovak). 
http://youtu.be/e05XRpAXqpM

The 2 piece special forces is my all around favorite and the closest competitor to the Zendl.

From what I have seen thus far -- haven't shot them yet as I just received yesterday and am not going to be getting to the range for at least another week due to the holiday --  is that the Zendl's edge over other one piece brakes comes with both the Flash Reduction (as confirmed by VT?VM Slavi??n testing) when most brakes magnify flash into the shooter's sight picture as well as the shooting shoulder specific stabilization that accounts for left or right handed (right handed has extra/third side port on right side and one less/two on left, whereas the left is the opposite). 

I'm big on flash reduction with any muzzle device as IMO opinion home defense is most likely to occur in limited light situations, just like more than 2/3rds of modern combat. 

And the Zendl is still 1/3rd or more cheaper than the Special Forces brake, that is if you can find it!

RSR, I saw in another thread the only muzzle device you'd get from CNC is the Phantom brake, I'm assuming because it does a decent job at reducing flash as well. How would you say it stacks up to the Zendl? I know they are at different price points, but I'm still waiting for my vz2008 and haven't shot it yet so I have no point of reference.

[RSR]

The phantom brake is an excellent flash hider.  It's not equivalent to muzzle brakes in performance.  They're two distinctly separate roles.

No flash hider performs as well as a muzzle brake at reducing recoil and enhancing muzzle stability for faster followup shots.

And no muzzle brake performs as well as a flash hider at mitigating muzzle flash (in fact, most muzzle brakes enhance muzzle flash...).

For muzzle brakes, I think there are a lot better and more authentic options available from Czech makers than the somewhat eccentric options that CNC warrior offers...  Their slovak brake is authentic, but as previously stated it was designed to combat muzzle rise during full auto fire -- not as a semi auto civilian brake where a slower rate of shooting places a premium on reduced recoil and 360* barrel stability, not just a need to push the muzzle down which is where the CNC slovak brake excels...  Your call, but that's my opinion.

[RSR]

Quick Update: 1 Right and 3 Left Hand Zendl Brakes Remain.