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Posted: 2/11/2009 1:12:40 AM EDT
| As a noob, I'm still trying to understand the differences in the flash hiders. flash hiders, compensators, dissipators, muzzle breaks, suppressors, etc..are most of these terms just used interchangably or are there real differences? I get that flash hiders hide the flash, and muzzle breaks help reduce recoil and rise, but besides that, I'm clueless. Are there any other functions, why some are shaped the way they are, and what makes a $130 one different from a $10, etc. Is there a good link somewhere that someone can point me too? Thanks in advance! |
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As a noob, I'm still trying to understand the differences in the flash hiders. 1: Flash hiders, compensators, dissipators, muzzle breaks brake, suppressors, etc..are most of these terms just used interchangeably or are there real differences? I get that flash hiders hide the flash, and muzzle breaks help reduce recoil and rise, but besides that, I'm clueless. 2: Are there any other functions, why some are shaped the way they are, and what makes a $130 one different from a $10, etc. 3: Is there a good link somewhere that someone can point me too? Thanks in advance! 1: Acceptable terminology for Muzzle Devices: a: Flash Hider, Flash Suppressor, Flash Eliminator
b: Muzzle brake, Compensator, Recoil Eliminator c: Silencer, suppressor, slang: Can (there are likely some that I am leaving out but you should understand the basic groups) 2: Muzzle devices can perform multiple functions and can be configured to accomplish different goals. Some devices are designed to perform a single task and have accomplished this very well, such as the Vortex Flash Eliminator. 
The way this design works is to vent gases into the helix ports and burn them off before they exit the device. This type of action not only eliminates your flash signature, but aids in the use of night vision equipment where blooming from excessive flash can inhibit target acquisition. Those features may be of little service to you as compared to some of these other products. Compensators are ported in a fashion designed to accomplish a different goal. JP makes a muzzle brake that helps eliminate recoil allowing faster follow up shots. 
Notice the porting on the top to reduce muzzle rise. The lack of ports on the bottom will help reduce your dust signature when laying prone. Keep in mind that all muzzle brakes will redirect the sound of your "blast" toward the shooter and anyone behind the weapon during fire. There are also units that combine abilities as well. Take the PWS FSC556 for example. 
This unit has compensating values provided by the side ports. It also has flash suppressing abilities designed similar to the Vortex. It accomplishes this with the disadvantage of added length (not a disadvantage for those that want to pin a muzzle device to a 14.5" barrel to make it a legal 16"). There are many other features that muzzle devices can accomplish as well. Some have razor sharp tips for the ability to use as a bayonet while others incorporate mounting solutions for silencers. All of these features come at a price. As you can imagine there are many processes involved in the design and manufacture of these devices. Sometimes this will command a price that some would consider unreasonable for "a chunk of metal". Keep in mind that many devices are made to exacting tolerances to provide the absolute best function possible. When you are considering an expensive device take comfort in the notion that a lesser engineered piece of equipment could be the equivalent of attaching a hand grenade to the tip of your gun. 
3: While this won't give you much more than a picture, price point, and a manufacturers description it may be of some service to you. Preferred Flash Hider / Muzzle Brake / Compensator ETA: There are also plenty of reader reviews. Hope this helps you start evaluating the different performance aspects of these devices better. -ARMS
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I would suggest get the flash hider/ flash suppressors type first because that's what they will ban again like in the AWB in '94.
I've got some spare A2 and Phantom flash suppressors, I just need to get some other ones like the Vortex, Sabre Defence long A2 (for permanently mounting it on a 14.5" barrel to make it legal), and other sound suppressor compatible models. From previous threads here in the past one of the best flash suppressors are the Vortex and the Phantom but I'm sure that there are others as good as those. |
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