Put up or shut up, Vortex blossoming?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Put up or shut up, Vortex blossoming?

Posted: 10/7/2007 12:27:00 PM EDT

I've read enough posts from third parties about how Vortex Flash supressors are doomed to eventually blossom out, any time someone posts a question about them.

Can anyone provide me pictures of such an occurance and what the circumstances were?

Is this just more interweb BS?

I would appreciate photo's, approximate round count and age of the offending FS. Also, include if there was any previous damage, such as inward bent tines because of bumps, drops, etc.

Edited because it sounded like I was being a demanding AH.

Posted: 10/7/2007 12:30:01 PM EDT

[#1]

All 3 of mine are doin just fine, but then again they are all the newest G6A2 model.

Posted: 10/7/2007 12:45:52 PM EDT

[#2]

I think they had a problem with proper hardening on the early ones. The latest models don't blossom.

Posted: 10/7/2007 12:47:25 PM EDT

[#3]

i dont have one on my rifle, nor have i seen this happen. my only guess would be the superheated gases and pressure forcing them out, but iwould think this would tend to happen on more fully automatic rifles.

Posted: 10/7/2007 12:49:50 PM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:
i dont have one on my rifle, nor have i seen this happen. my only guess would be the superheated gases and pressure forcing them out, but iwould think this would tend to happen on more fully automatic rifles.

Since I shoot semi-auto, and it is on the end of the muzzle and exposed to the coolest air, I don't see that being a problem.

Posted: 10/7/2007 12:54:29 PM EDT

[#5]

...lol....I deleted my post, I can't contribute anything positive to this thread other than "Your vortex will be fine"

Posted: 10/7/2007 12:57:55 PM EDT

[#6]

.

Posted: 10/7/2007 1:01:50 PM EDT

[#7]

i have 3 and never had a problem, never heard of one that "bloomed" these flash suppressors are second to none

Posted: 10/7/2007 11:32:23 PM EDT

[#8]

Newarguy had one and posted pics. IM him.

Posted: 10/8/2007 9:38:23 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
Newarguy had one and posted pics. IM him.

Thanks, I'll ask him next time I see him. Neal is good people so I know he would provide good info.

Posted: 10/8/2007 9:39:41 AM EDT

[#10]

I have two Vortex's and I have zero problems.

Posted: 10/8/2007 10:24:52 AM EDT

[#11]

It was the earlier style vortex. And even then it was only a few that were not properly heat treated. I had one that all four tines/prongs mushroomed out. I posted pics here. That was with semi only fire from a BM 14.5 M4 barrel.

At the time I wasnt the only one. Others posted pics of theirs as well.

I may be able to find the pics, but dont count on them. It was over 5 years ago.

I run the current style vortex with no problems.

Posted: 10/8/2007 10:41:08 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
It was the earlier style vortex. And even then it was only a few that were not properly heat treated. I had one that all four tines/prongs mushroomed out. I posted pics here. That was with semi only fire from a BM 14.5 M4 barrel.

At the time I wasnt the only one. Others posted pics of theirs as well.

I may be able to find the pics, but dont count on them. It was over 5 years ago.

I run the current style vortex with no problems.

Agreed, this is an OLD problem. You will be fine.

Posted: 10/8/2007 11:09:10 AM EDT

[#13]

I have about 15,000 on an 8" M16. No Blossom yet...

Pinkerton OUT!

Posted: 10/8/2007 3:37:18 PM EDT

[#14]

I had one blossom out. But it was several years ago. I think Kurt (of KKF) may have pics of it on his site somewhere. He was the one who removed it and premamently installed one of his A3 extended hiders.

Posted: 10/8/2007 3:43:53 PM EDT

[#15]

got three that have many thousands of rounds through them, all of the newer type, and no blossoming.

Posted: 10/8/2007 4:05:50 PM EDT

[#16]

I have zero vortex FHs, and 0 problems with them.

I want one though.

Posted: 10/8/2007 4:38:54 PM EDT

[#17]

It's pretty much what I thought.

I have one and have no fear of it ever blossoming out.

I just kind of got tired of having someone drop the "wait 'til it blossoms" line in every freaking Vortex thread I have read, when I have seen no proof of any such problems recently.

I was also pretty sure there was some reliable info out there about old ones having the problem, and the problem being addressed.

Thanks for all of the input.

Posted: 10/8/2007 4:48:34 PM EDT

[#18]

"PING!"

Posted: 10/8/2007 6:47:40 PM EDT

[#19]

I had one that mushroomed out on a rifle about 6 or 7 years ago. It was a much older style design than what is currently available. And mine only mushroomed out after we were full auto testing the rifle. It was mag after mag, and even a Beta. At the end of that day, we noticed it had opened up.

Smith Enterprise, who makes the Vortex, replaced it for free with a newer model. I have had it on the gun since then. We've full auto tested the gun no less than twice since putting the newer Vortex on and it is still 100%.

The new Vortex's that are out are probably one of the strongest flash suppressors available. I have been told they are made out of the same metal as a bolt carrier (tough stuff). Take a look at one next to anything else available. While it is an open ended design, the tines are THICK! The metal is much thicker than any of the many style Phantoms available. I have also bent a Phantom about 5 years ago, Hawkeye helped me fix it!

In any case, after having bent both a Phantom and Vortex, I thinkit much more likely I would bend a Phantom or A2 over any of the several Vortex's I have. Get a new style Vortex (I think the G6 is the latest model), and forget it. I think they are probably one of the best options you can get.

Posted: 10/8/2007 6:58:11 PM EDT

[#20]

What is the time frame for old/new Vortex?

Put mine on in 1999, and is GTG. 16" heavy barrel.

Posted: 10/8/2007 7:02:59 PM EDT

[#21]

Would putting a rubber band around the tines stop the pinging?

Posted: 10/8/2007 7:06:02 PM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
Would putting a rubber band around the tines stop the pinging?

Why bother? I never even notice it.

Posted: 10/8/2007 7:06:10 PM EDT

[#23]

All my AR's (even my AR10) have them, none of them are newer than '00 (Except the AR10) and I have abused (bumpofdeath) a couple of them.

Never had one of them do anything except suppress all flash from my muzzle. I have shot them way out in the dark, and in a pitch black room. Proper ammo and no flash at all.

Posted: 10/8/2007 7:14:40 PM EDT

[#24]

As I stated in the other thread mine blossomed with about 500 rounds through it. Sent it to Smith and it was replaced with a G6. I had purchased mine from Brownells about 3 years ago.

I also had a very early model blossom. That had to be 10 years ago or more.

I would estimate I have seen five or six blossom over the years. I have not seen or heard of a G6 blossoming.

My friend Mike had one severely blossom to the point one of the tines broke off. I didn't let mine get to that point.

Still wouldn't trust one enough to pin it on.

Posted: 10/8/2007 7:44:24 PM EDT

[#25]

I bulged and cracked an after market flash suppresor on a M38 Swedish Mauser in the mid 90s from bullet strike or was it the pressure? Then again it was a cheaply poorly made junker. Got a free replacment from Brad at the next gunshow. I thinks too that Vortex is high quality and show have no problems