High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Muzzle brakes and recoil compensators are devices that are either fitted to, or designed as a permanent part of, the muzzle of a firearm or cannon to redirect propellant gases with the effect of countering both recoil of the gun and unwanted rising of the barrel during rapid fire. Muzzle brakes are useful for combat and timed competition shooting, and are commonly found on rifles firing large cartridges (such as big-game rifles), as well as some artillery and tank guns. They are also used on pistols for practical pistol competitions, and are usually called compensators in this context.