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Posted: 2/12/2004 1:22:52 PM EDT
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Is there any functional difference between the "straight" and the "twisted" models of the vortex flash hider. In a couple of places I've read that the vortex flash hider eliminates nearly 100% of the flash. Here is one: http://www.gunaccessories.com/MuzzleBrakes/index.asp They usually show the twisted model with this claim. I was wondering if the "straight" model was as efficient at eliminating flash. Thanks for any info. |
| One afternoon I was lucky enough to get the "Nickel Tour" of Smith Ent. by Mr. Ron Smith himself. When we stopped at a machine where a nice lady was making a Vortex I asked Ron the very same question and he explained to me that the difference in straight and twisted is purely cosmetic. They do indeed eliminate 99.99% of the flash, (good night time concealment) Re-directed gas energy will kick lots and lots of dust (bad day-time concealment). |
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If you notice, set-screw versions of the Vortex use straight cuts, because you don't want any torque applied by the muzzle gasses. Threaded Vortexes have twisted cuts, so that the gasses hitting the twisted forks will generate torque that will constantly tighten the Vortex on the muzzle threads. Vortexes for left-hand-thread muzzles (for FALs and AKs, for example) will naturally have their cuts the opposite of standard. The Phantom has cuts on the interior that do the same thing (cause the gasses to apply torque to the Phantom). -Troy |
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Thanks for the info, Troy. I started the thread because I happend across a threaded Vortex flash hider with straight flutes. See pic. [img]http://www.hunt101.com/img/101730.JPG[/img] Plan on putting it on one of my personal uppers and was wondering if their was a difference in function. Not ever likely that I will be able to take advantage of the "no flash" effect, just curious. Anyway, as flash hider go, the Vortex is pretty damn cool looking, and functional on top of it all. PS: Please note the sarcasm in my previous reply about self tightening flash hiders. |
| All the Vortex really is, is an improvement over the origional Armalite "duckdill" flash hider which worked very well, but was deleted during the Vietnam war because it was said that the open concept got caught on foliage. Valmet weapons systems have a similar design, and they knew it worked better too. I have an old duckbill on my pre-ban car, and it eliminates flash 20% better than the birdcage. |
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