Muzzle Brakes and Flash Suppressors

[grnzbra]

The Brady Bunch website is claiming that flash suppressors and muzzle brakes (compensators) are the same. I know they are not, but am not sure of just what the flash suppressor does.

The compensator directs the gasses up in order to provide a push down. This results in a concentration of hot gasses which, in pix shot in the dark, results in a very bright flame straight up in front of the shooter. Seems like this would not only be rough on his night vision but also pinpoint his location.

It seems to me that what happens with the flash suppressor is that by breaking up the gasses and distributing them in radial jets, the suppressor produces several jets of gasses, which are cooled as they escape so that the sum of the brightnesses is less than that of an unsuppressed venting of the gasses. Is this the way a flash suppressor works or is something else going on?

On whom does the flash suppressor have the greatest effect, the shooter by saving his night vision or the guy who is trying to spot him by his muzzle flash?

 

[Kodiak AK]

Shooter.

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

grnzbra- you've got it correct; and yes it's to try and save the shooters night vision. In addition, the current A2 type on the M16/M4 family is closed at the bottom to reduce dust signature when proned out.

 

[Red_SC]

A flash suppressor works pretty much as you described. But, a compensator and a muzzle brake are two different creatures. You described a compensator, which controls muzzle climb. A muzzle brake reduces total recoil, not just the upward motion.

 

[grnzbra]

Thanks for the clarification on compensator vs muzzle brake.

 

[artherd]

Actually, I think you may all be wrong.

At least in IR, the 'flash hider/suppressor' (ie A2 Birdcage) actually amplifies visible blast signature from the observer's end. (I've seen comparisons personally.)

I belive the flash hider's purpose is to create a field in which the SHOOTER ONLY can see his bullet impact. So no blast directly straight up that would interfear with sight lines, (and at night, most night-vision, etc.)

It is a shooter aid only. It is not some magical cloaking device.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[clubsoda22]

next thing you know they'll try to ban smokeless powder because it allows the shooter co conceal himself by not giving off big clouds of smoke. They'll call it "sniper powder"

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

clubsoda22!?!- Shhhhhhhhh... don't give the antis anymore ideas!

They'll call it "sniper powder"

That's just crazy enough to appeal to them.

 

[Red_SC]

At least in IR, the 'flash hider/suppressor' (ie A2 Birdcage) actually amplifies visible blast signature from the observer's end. (I've seen comparisons personally.)

I belive the flash hider's purpose is to create a field in which the SHOOTER ONLY can see his bullet impact. So no blast directly straight up that would interfear with sight lines, (and at night, most night-vision, etc.)

It is a shooter aid only. It is not some magical cloaking device.

Agreed. I think that's what QuarterBoreGunner said in the third post.

 

[Standing Wolf]

next thing you know they'll try to ban smokeless powder because it allows the shooter co conceal himself by not giving off big clouds of smoke. They'll call it "sniper powder"

Shhhhh! Stop giving those lunatics ideas!