• CP Muzzle Brake Review

    When Chris Spera approached me about doing a review of his muzzle brake, I didn't quite know what to do. The only brakes I had ever experienced were old style that made more flash and noise than anything else. Chris claimed to have an improved "on/off" design that he makes by hand. I have seen these in a few different configurations, but have never had the opportunity to try one out. Chris' muzzle brakes are machined from stainless steel. The "on/off" feature is operated by a simple 1/8th twist of the outer sleeve, which is held firmly in place by use of a detent ball.

    Chris offered to install one of his brakes on a .30-'06 test rifle of mine, so I sent the barrel to him. He fitted the brake to the barrel by threading the outside of the muzzle.The brake screws onto the threaded portion of the barrel. The barrel still has it's smooth factory bluing and there are no scratches or blemishes from the installation. It looks very professional and could even pass for a factory job if Savage used such a brake.

    Shortly after re-installing the barrel on my Model 114W, I took the rifle to the range for some ammo testing. I was shooting .30-06 loaded with 46gr H4895 and Sierra GameKing BTSP 165gr bullets. I fired the loads with the brake "turned on" and "turned off". The targets were set up at 100 yards. The loads with brake "tuned off" shot right at 1 inch groups. With the brake "turned on", the groups were a little under 1 1/4 inches. These were experimental hunting loads, so there are better groups to be had with some more load development. Still very impressive for a "deer cartridge."

    The effect it had on recoil was very noticable. Shooting with the brake turned on was almost pleasant. Rather than having the typical .30-06 punch, it performed very much like a medium load .308. Needless to say, I was impressed. I also liked the way it has the detent ball that allows you to go from "ON" to "OFF" in a split second without even looking. The brake stayed in position until I moved it. Operation is smooth with no slack between parts. It does have that typical muzzle brake flash and noise. Fortunately, it's ports are angled in a much better fashion than most other brakes, making it less offensive to those around it.

    In a recent interview with Chris, this is what he had to say about his background:

    "The company name is CP Muzzle Brakes, and my name is Chris Spera. We are located 8 miles west of Fowler, CO. CP is for cowpuncher, which is the handle I use on various hunting forums and message boards.

    I started doing machine work when I was in high school. I took an AVC program and basically earned a 2 year degree in Machine Tool Technology. I then went to Colorado State University at Pueblo and earned a Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical Engineering. In 1992 I went to work for the Trane Co. as an ME and spent 12 years working on CNC mills lathes and grinder,. so it is fair to say I have a lot of engineering and machining experience.

    I have been shooting as long as I can remember and have always tinkered with guns. About 3 years ago I started buying machines and tooling to go into business for myself.

    I guess I should mention we are cattle ranchers and live on the ranch. For years, I worked full time for Trane and ran the ranch to. This fall, I quit Trane to spend more time he! re on the ranch and to get my other business up and running.

    Professional Repair Service LLC is the parent company of CP Muzzle Brakes. I won't get in to PRS. As for CP Muzzle Brakes, I came up with the idea for an ON OFF brake back in 1996 and have built about a zillion different designs and it has evolved into the brake you are testing. I have had some help along the way. A friend of mine, Matt Curran, who is also a machinist, has had a lot of input. Matt shot for the US Army and still holds some records to date. As far as services right now, I just would like to stick to the brakes and I will do the barrel work if I receive it like I did yours, without the action.

    If this grows into something, I would then buy a CNC lathe and a CNC mill to be able to produce them a bit more economically. If it takes off, I have a lot of goodies on the drawing board. Suppressors, Rings, Mounts, Lense Cover adapters, and more. For now, I just have to take it one step at a time."
    Chris is very professional. He made every effort to answer my questions and was always very polite. He makes an outstanding muzzle brake that I will recommend to anyone looking to get a custom brake. They even have a great warranty. You will not be disappointed.

    By: JCalhoun

    Contact Information
    CP Muzzle Brakes
    3201 Lane 64
    Fowler, CO 81039
    (719) 469-1263
    www.cpmuzzlebrakes.com





    Comments 1 Comment
    1. big honkin jeep's Avatar
      big honkin jeep -
      Thanks for the review,
      I know many guys don't care for a brake at all but I'm not one of them.
      I have always been a fan of muzzle brakes and especially the factory Savage brakes that have the on off feature.
      Knowing there is an alternative is nice.
      Do you know what thread pitch he uses on this brake?
      It seems with so many manufacturers currently threading factory rifle barrels 5/8x24 that there would be a wide open market there.