Flash hider questions

[heron]

I have no experience with flash hiders, so please don't think these are silly questions . . . I'm not particularly interested in one, but I do want a muzzle brake for my .223 Saiga, and I see some brake/flash hider combinations.

Who is the flash being hidden from? The shooter, or the target? I can see logical arguments for both.

I have seen statements indicating that some flash hiders have undesired effects on the bullet. How does that happen, and are some types worse than others?

Is there a best/worst choice for my rifle if I chose a combination muzzle brake/flash hider?

 

[jr45]

I have a muzzle brake/flash suppressor combination (AMD 65 type) on one of my AKs. It does lower the amount of muzzle flash a little (shot in low light), I do not notice any difference in muzzle climb, and has no affect on the bullets trajectory. It does however; increase the sound of the shot noticeably.

 

[gvnwst]

Flash hiders are suppossed to make it so you don't lose your sight when shooting at night. So it hides it from the shooter. I think that it does hide it a little from people in front of the muzzle too.