Gen 3 Answer Vs. The Gen 3 Little Bastard For the AR Enthusiast

Since APA announced the release of the Gen 3 Little Bastard and its availability in the popular 1/2X28 thread pattern for AR platform rifles, this question has continually risen; Which one of these brakes is better for my “AR”, The Gen 3 Little Bastard or The Answer? Well, this is kind of a loaded question but we are going to try to shed some light on it.

 Both of these brakes are tunable, self-timing, and extremely effective on recoil. The Answer was originally intended for the Run & Gun guy. It’s only 2.2 oz. making target-to-target controllability second to none. This is important for a lot of folks that are trying to make those big swings from target to target through 180 traps and so on. The idea here is that a heavier weight on the end of the barrel makes it more difficult to steady the muzzle while shooting of hand which is why we made The Answer as light as possible.

 The Gen 3 Little Bastard is basically the answer’s bigger beefier brother. There is a slight measurable increase in recoil reduction over The Answer in the .223/5.56 cartridges and the impulse is noticeably softer. There is a trade-off, however. The G3LB is almost exactly twice the weight of The Answer. This means those big target-to-target swings may be slightly less manageable. That being said, if you're not running around like a chicken with your head cut off in some USPSA or 3-Gun event, the G3LB is probably the best brake available for you.

 Despite your goals, another determining factor that can’t be overlooked is your barrel diameter. Keep in mind that either one of these muzzle brakes is vastly superior to anything that was available even 5 years ago so don’t be afraid to let your muzzle diameter be the determining factor. The Answer was intended for muzzles from .600 to .750 and the Gen 3 Little Bastard is a better fit for muzzles .750 to .950.

 Both these brakes are available in other calibers and thread patterns and are obviously not bound to AR platform rifles. The Answer is a pinnacle option for any sporter-weight hunting rifle despite being engineered originally for the gas gunner. It is the next generation of the Micro Bastard.

So which one is right for you, light, quick, and nimble or absolute maximum recoil reduction and control? You may just have to ask your barrel….