I'm looking for some knowledgeable advice.  I have a Bushy Shorty AK and am debating shelling out twice the money I paid for it to get a preban... just so I can have a flash hider.

I am very limited on funds and this will be a major expense if I do it.  I have heard stories about how terrible the AK brake is in group shooting and at night.  

In your honest opinion (IYHO?), for a rifle whose purpose is for minuteman or emergency tactical use, is it justified to pay what's necessary for a flash hider?  Is it such an essential part of the rifle system to not do without it? Please tell me yes or no, and (most importantly) WHY.  

I value the opinions of those on this board.  Thank you for your assistance.

The W Man

I like my AK Brake, haven't fired it at night yet (will soon and post a report) for what its worth TAPCO make a "blast diverter" that slips over the AK brake. I read a review that did not like it because it diverted most of the blast up, but I would guess if mounted upside down it would send all the blast down away from your eyes. Since my intended use for this upper is indoor intruder supression it may work well, I will post a report once I test it.

I've seen that Tapco device.  I think it would be dangerous to install upside down b/c the brake has no bottom slots.  The gas would have to come out of the AK brake vent holes and travel around the brake between the brake and the diverter to get out of the diverter's opening, and I think that would cause EXCESSIVE pressure on the set-up.  It might even blow it off back towards your face.  Has anyone tried the Wilson A2 flash hider lookalike postban brake?  And since I brought it up, the Wilson looks very much like a flash hider.  What determines if a device is a flash hider or a brake?  Thanks to those that have responded thus far!

MRW, you were asking about flash hiders, not muzzle brakes,,, right?
No.

I've paid the terrorist prices for prebans over, and over, I refuse to do it anymore (Of course I've said that for the last 6 prebans), they're just not worth it [u]IMO[/u].
I know what it feels like to pay $1,300.00 for a preban - we NEED to believe they're worth more, and they ARE - about $4.00 more.
I used to pay extra for a good crown, & no lug on an H-Bar in the 80's (I know I'm not the only one). That used to make sense once - when we could be "trusted" with such things (A GA woman actually was killed with a mounted bayonet by her husband - the town sheriff,,, in 1953!).

If you just want a flash hider (I hate to post this on a public forum), Wilson's "Tactical Brake" is the best "brake" I've ever tried. It's not really the best break, but it's a surprisingly effective flash hider. I don't know how in the hell the BATF approved that thing (but get one before it gets revaluated).

[img]http://www.wilsoncombat.com/AR_15/images/TacticalMuzzleBrake1.jpg[/img]

[url]http://www.wilsoncombat.com/[/url]

One of the quietest real brake I've tried is made by DPMS - not the best, just one of the quietest (The expensive one with all the goofy annular holes from Brownells is supposed to be the best).

[img]http://www.shooterstore.com/dpmsinc/images/sm_GS-01.gif[/img]

[url]http://www.shooterstore.com/acb/showprod.cfm?&DID=90&User_ID=874149&st=2627&st2=-66990408&st3=249018801&CATID=494&ObjectGroup_ID=1358[/url]

If you're only asking if it's really WORTH IT - there's no answer. Not until we get rid of this ridiculous "law."  

Thanks for all the info everybody!  I think I'll stay with my AK brake for now.  But if I opt for a change I will probably go with the Wilson or simply wait to see if '94 ban successfully sunsets in 2004 (and then who cares!).  I posted this on the tactics board as well and received some good advice.  The way I was going to raise funds for the preban was to sell some other toys, and I have yet to be without "seller's remorse" every time I part with a firearm.  I think I'll take the loose cash and buy some good low flash ammo (Q3131?) and an M-3 light and mount to round out my "urban rifle"  Thanks again!  

MRW