The gun industry and general gun population tend to work in interesting cycles. A certain platform will become popular and it will spread like wildfire for some time. Everyone remember piston driven ARs? Right now we are deep into two big fads that are somewhat related. The first is pistol caliber carbines and the second is short barreled everything. Both NFA and non NFA variants of shotguns, rifles, and more. With the AR platform being so popular we have plenty of short barreled 5.56 rifles out there. Including my newest AR pistol. The barrel on this particular model of 5.56 AR pistol features an ultra-short 7.5-inch barrel. It’s made best friends with the Troy Claymore muzzle device.
The major issue with 5.56 in a 7.5-inch barrel is the muzzle flash and concussion generated by a round designed for a 20-inch barrel. When you start trimming barrel length you start making compromises. There is plenty of ballistic compromises, and of course, dealing with some massive concussion and muzzle blast. To help tame this might muzzle blast we go to the Troy Claymore muzzle device.
Front Toward Enemy
The Troy Claymore is a muzzle device designed specifically for those popular ultra short barrels. This is technically a muzzle brake but also works as a linear compensator. A linear compensator pushes the muzzle blast forward of the shooter. It doesn’t make the gun quieter in any way, it just directs the noise and forward of the shooter. It’s not like we worry about what’s downrange anyway.
The Troy Claymore is an absolute beast. It’s heavy, thick, and made from heat treated ordnance steel. It’s nice and thick and absorbs blast without any issue. The Claymore also has some teeth. It could be used as an improvised breaching device but I question the validity of 5.56 for breaching.
On the Range With the Troy Claymore
Wow. That’s all I can say. I was shocked by just how effective this device is on a barrel this short. It turns a normally ear splitting shot into something relatively pleasant. It’s still loud, but the concussive force is sent directly forward. It makes a major difference when you are behind the gun.
When you take a knee or get in the prone position it makes a major difference. There aren’t clouds of dust flying around when you are putting rounds downrange. As the sun sets the problem of muzzle flash becomes a big deal. Short barrels makes lot of flash, and at night it can ruin your natural night vision.
This type of comp can’t eliminate flash, but it does help greatly reduce it. Like the muzzle blast and concussion is does push most of it forward of the shooter. It’s more substantial than something like a 16-inch barrel and a standard flash suppressor, but it’s comfortable and far from distracting.
The Troy Claymore does what its supposed to do, and does it well. It’s also priced fairly, especially in the realm where muzzle devices can easily come in at over a hundred bucks. If you are looking to do a short barreled build the Troy Claymore is perfect for you
Photos by author
