I've read some old posts about it
What's todays preferred choice for pin and weld to make 16"?
The Vortex looks good but maybe the ping... and prongs can get bent?

Mine has a bcm a2x

A2X because I prefer a standard flash hider. Its the same thing just .2 inches longer

http://bemeyers.com/product/249f-flash-hider/

I like my BCM A2X

I went with that, thanks

I like the Smith Vortex.

I have to admit that the "ping" is indeed so loud and pronounced that fellow shooters elect to use their hearing protection.

Guns without suppressors tend to be noisy, so I don't pay attention to the "ping." As far as bending the prongs, I'm sure it's possible but it's going to take a lot to do it. I've never had that problem in many, many years of using a Vortex.

Voodoo Innovations is great if you think you might need to remove the gas block...

http://www.voodooinnovations.com/vdi-manimal-extended-flash-hider

I think if you are going for a 14.5, in my opinion, you should run the best comp you can afford or something like a fsc556 or the surefire mbk556. since technology has changed in muzzle devices and new styles of shooting (dynamic) are evolving, again in my opinion I would want the least amount of muzzle climb/recoil. Ya there are those who say there is no recoil its just a 223 but there is muzzle climb. the better the break the more rounds you can get on target faster. my 14.5 with a pinned surefire brake has a midi gas system and it feels like you are shooting a 22 lr. very good for 3 gun or fast styles of shooting. I found that even the bcm gunfighter comp has quite a bit of climb compared to my surefire brake. but, like i said, just my opinion.

When I had a battle comp it pushed the muzzle below poa on each shot and I had to recover up. That was harder than controlling the slight upward climb with standard flash hiders.

YHM phantom  does a pretty good job and is reasonable priced.