Part of the recoil you feel is the powder getting the bullet moving. But a lot of it is the jet engine effect of the hot expanding powder gasses rushing out the barrel. A muzzle brake disturbs the 'jet engine nozzle' and disperses the gasses in other directions. Especially as the bullet temporarily blocks the exit hole in the brake. That suddenly disrupts the flow and the gasses rush out the ports, and by then the pressure is lower and the flow never gets re-established again. They are effective and do work. They work better on high pressure rounds than low pressure ones. Yes, they are louder because the blast is directed sideways instead of forward, but there again, all guns are loud enough to damage our hearing without protection anyway. Wear ear protection when shooting at the range and the occasional muzzle blast while hunting will not cause permanent damage. (although all ear damage is culmative) When I am hunting, I cannot tell the noise difference between a ported gun and a non ported one. If you want to, do it. Of course I also agree with the folks that advise you to buy a .45 colt for the wife so she can enjoy shooting! The extra expense will be worth it in the long run. And a .45 colt loaded to Ruger pressures will kill anything that needs killing. Enjoy. 44 Man