Utility of a flash hider?

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adelbridge

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I used to be in the flash hider camp. I still think they look cool but for all of my practical purposes they are a hindrance. I hunt at night and the flash hider will spare the hogs outside my crosshairs a bright flash at the expense of blinding me. I built my gun and needed something to protect the threads so I went with the flash hider. I hunt in blinds and the extra 2" really started to bother be. After some deliberation and $15 I went with a screw on thread protector which knocked off 2" of unnecessary length and nominal weight. Instantly my gun is noticeably more maneuverable which would cross over into a home defense scenario. We build our guns for personal defense and having fun at the range right? Help me imagine a scenario where a flash hider would be of use to a civilian. I am of the opinion that we would be better off with an 18" threaded barrel vs. 16" with flash hider. 18" is better ballistically and will save your ears in the process. You can still have the threaded barrel for your add ons.
 
A flash hider is meant to shield you, the shooter, from the effect of flash blindness in low light, not to hide the flash from others. I hope you don't plan on being able to shoot more than one round in low light without it.
 
Flash hiders/suppressors are often confused with compensators or muzzle brakes and they are all collectively known as muzzle devices. The compensators are meant to reduce felt recoil often at the expense of directing more flash back at the shooter. Perhaps your device is a dedicated muzzle brake whereas a flash hider would better suit your needs? As Ragnar indicated, the flash hider is meant to prevent the gun from blinding you.
 
When I own a military rifle or replica, if muzzle break or flash hider was as-issued equipment, I want it to match as-issued condition.

Shooting utility (to me) of a flashhider would be marginal. If I were building a AR sporter I would probably opt for a bull barrel in 16" to 18" range. However, the military pattern barrels are very common on the market, in part because many makers have military/police contracts, and make one style barrel for all users, so its a matter of economy. It certainly does not make the gun any more or less deadly.
 
In dim or low light my Mini-14 would blind you before I mounted the flash hider on it. The folding stock made it much easier and shorter to transport.

I did this in the late 80s, so it was legally an assault weapon from 1994 to 2004. It was not any more lethal than it was in its original configuration.

I certainly don't mind if you don't want a flash hider, as that is your decision. I do mind that in 1994, the gov't took away my right to have a new one for a decade, and came close to doing so again recently.

Some times flash hiders are there purely for cosmetic reasons. My .45 ACP AR is a good example.
 
Flash hider because the supressor needs it for mounting. I could use a brake as well but on 556 rifles I feel brakes aren't worth it.

BSW
 
I should have mentioned I am using night vision and flash hider seems to me a flash increaser.
 
Which flash suppressor are you using? If it's the standard A2 birdcage, you can expect pretty poor performance. Try a high performance flash suppressor like a Smith Vortex or an AAC Blackout.
 
Tinman357 said... If you have the prong flash hider on an old M-16, you can use it to cut the wires on C-RATS crates.
Click to expand...

You sure can, I've done it myself. And that is exactly why they did away with that thing and went to the "birdcage" style flash suppressor. Too many instances of the thing being twisted loose, or bent, and affecting the accuracy of the rifle.

At least that's what they told us. :uhoh:

Walter
 
I have had a mini-14 with a bare muzzle, and a 16" AR with a Smith Vortex, and the latter is definitely more pleasant to shoot. The Vortex seems to direct the blast forward to some extent, and you have less of a flash in your field of vision when you shoot it, which is probably important in an HD gun.
 
The A2 flash hider is a very basic muzzle device that works, but not the best. I've had it on 4 rifles and its fine, but for your application you might want something like the AAC flash hider with the prongs. Those have been tested to basically eliminate all muzzle flash.

What muzzle device are you using? I'm assuming the A2?
 
Military snipers do not use a flash hider. The IR signature of a hot flash hider will bring scunion to your hide in a hurry.
 
If the flash hider is properly installed, the flash will take the form of an X and you are sighting between the two top arms. There will be a dark space for your sight picture and may decrease night blindness (as opposed to the fireball of a gun not so equipped). along the arms of the X, the there will be a greater density of glowing gas than in a fireball (that is the arms of the X are brighter than the ball).

HOWEVER, if you are using night vision goggles: Night vision is driven by photon multiplier tubes, e.g. any photon (think particle of light) that that hits the tube on the input side will generate 10 photons on the output side. It is literally a light amplifier. If any part of the X from the flash hider is in your field of vision, it will be worse than a fireball.

Except in tactical situations (military and police), I see little need for flash hiders other than as cosmetic jewelry for guns (I do not use the term tacticool as a compliment). However, I know that there are many who want them in order to replicate weapons of war and so honor the men and women who have carried them for our protection and defense. To each his/her own.
 
I have a carbine that's wearing a pretty big ding on the front of the flash hider. I'm glad this ding is on the flash hider and Not on the crown. ;)
 
I use a flash suppressor when hunting in rough territory and when kids are shooting my 22's. They do a good job of keeping the muzzle clear of dirt and other debris. A lot of appleseed instructors use them on their loaner guns as well. I don't have threaded barrels. I just use the cheapo jobs you see on ebay for $15. They are secured to the barrel with a small allen bolt.
 
e.g. any photon (think particle of light) that that hits the tube on the input side will generate 10 photons on the output side.
Click to expand...

or 50,000
 
All my AR pattern guns (5.56 & 300BLK long guns, 300BLK pistol) have linear comps rather than flash hiders as the muzzle device, which project sound/pressure wave downrange. They make a very noticeable difference when shooting from a covered location such as at my outdoor range (especially for anyone on either side of me).

Nick
 
Warp said:
Yes, yes, YES!

Hell, I keep my go-to AR muzzle-down.
Click to expand...
True. Many old schoolers/hunters/farmers keep that/a rifle muzzle down into/upon the footwell of the pickup etc. Often there's grit/gravel down there. If it was an unprotected muzzle (and they do that), that'd be screwed up in short order.
 
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