[Combat-wombat]

How do they differ from muzzle brakes? I know that muzzle brakes don't reduce the flash, just recoil, but how do they work? What causes the flash supressor to reduce the flash and the muzzle brake not to reduce the flash?

[Sleeping Dog]

I don't think flash suppressors actually suppress the flash. They just spread it out by letting the blast go in various directions. By spreading the flash, the intensity at one point is lessened, so the shooter's night vision doesn't get reduced. All the little bits of flash are still generally moving forward, away from the shooter.

A muzzle brake does the same thing, except the side holes or cuts are angled to cause the diverted gases to go more to the side, or even back toward the shooter, pulling the barrel forward and reducing the recoil. At the same time, the flash is spread.

Compensators also redirect the flash, but usually straight up into the shooter's line of sight, so no night-vision advantage.

But don't tell anyone that a muzzle brake or ported barrel reduces flash, or they'll get banned, too. Though personally, I am not a big fan of muzzle brakes, too loud.

Regards.

[Travis McGee]

Sleeping Dog:

I would say that flash suppressors do WAY more than just "spread out the same amount of flash". WAY more!

For example, if you watch a non-flash suppressed .223 from the side 100 yards away at night, where the bullet is fired from a straight cut regular muzzle, the flash is a bright orange light the size of a basketball, at least. HUGE, and BRIGHT.

Same rifle with a decent F.S., and the light is more like the size of a tangerine, and much less bright.

Seriously.

There are "muzzle compensators" which resemble a F.S., but with the bottom slit filled in. IOW, instead of 6 slits there are 5, with no slit on the bottom. This is to push the barrel down and a reduce muzzle flip on recoil for quicker follow up shots.

Of course, it also reduces the flash signature.

[gun-fucious]

flash supressors drive oxygen into the un burnt powder reserve and cause it to be consumed before the majority of the unspent potential exits the bore
and combusts in the atmosphere. They also lower the temperature of the ejecta to below the flash point.

heres a good thread:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=117427

[Sleeping Dog]

The little pronged thing on the end of the M16 does all that? It's not just for opening beer bottles, eh?

I thought the normal M16's (and M14's) had a good amount of muzzle blast, just spread out. I woulda bet it didn't suppress anything. Live and learn, thanks.

My AR has a 20" barrel, no suppressor or brake. I think the powder has a lot to do with the fireball, though my reloading notes don't mention flash size or intensity. (Now I have to make up some of the old loads and get to the range at twilight, just to complete my records).

Regards.

[Combat-wombat]

AWW GREAT! Travis Mc Gee, you've given it away that muzzle brakes reduce the flash! Big brother is watching, and they'll get banned soon! Oh well, thank's you guys.

[Travis McGee]

Combat Wombat: I have a mini-14, and I installed a combination better front sight and 5-slot compensator. I cut the barrel to the minimum to keep the overall length down. Believe it or not, my accuracy greatly improved!!!

I put it down to better barrel harmonics on the stainless mini.

Sort of like the B.O.S.S. system, by accident maybe?

[willyjixx]

travis: did you use the Eagle flash suppressor w/ the H&K style front site?

[Pilgrim]

I imagine it is just a matter of time before someone invents a "thingy" to go on the end of a muzzle and he calls it a flash reducer, which will make everyone happy. :p

Pilgrim

[Standing Wolf]

Hello, Travis McGee!

I think we need a picture of your pick-up truck.

Thanks, eh?

[Travis McGee]

Standing Wolf: Good to see someone who remembers Old Travis. I lost Miss Agnes when she rolled off the pier onto the Busted Flush and they both sank to the bottom of Bahia Mar.

[Travis McGee]

Willyjixx: I put it on so long ago I have no idea what make it is. It has two open "ears" to protect the much finer post front sight, and five slits. The 6th (bottom slit) is not there, making it a compensator, not a flash suppressor. I like it.