My Minis have flash hiders. They are home and personal defense carbines; most home invasions occur at night. I commute to work in the darkness all year, and most of the year, the drive home is in darkness.
Have any of you who disdain flash hiders ever fired a defensive shot at night? I have, though it was a .357 mag, and my GP100 does not have a flash hider.
Flash hiders are not a fashion statement.
As for muzzle brakes, I have no use for them, personally, and they increase the apparent noise level.