Muzzle flash on a carry gun

[Darrin]

While taking my Handgun Safety class today, I let the gun shop provide me with the gun. Why not? It was already included in the price, might as well take advantage of it. It helped me try out one of guns that's on my list of "guns to consider for carry."

Anywho, here's what's on my mind: I noticed while shooting the rental Glock 26 that the muzzle flash was very bright and large. I chose the G26 because it's the same caliber as my Astra; 9mm. At the same indoor range I shot the G26, (today), I have shot my Astra at before and the Astra has almost no muzzle flash. The G26's was bright!

Now, I've read on here and heard in class today that I would be most likely needing my gun at night. So, if I'm using my gun for protection, at night, wouldn't I want the least amount of muzzle flash to protect my own eyes? I wouldn't want to be blinded by my own gun at night and put myself in a very bad position with the BG.

Thoughts? Is muzzle flash something to consider? What about guns that are ported? Wouldn't they make the flash worse by pushing the whole blast up instead of out? Am I just thinking too much into this? How many licks does it take to reach the center of a tootsie-roll pop?

Thanks in advance. All input is greatly appriciated from this crowd.

Darrin

 

[mete]

I knew a cop who had his 357 ported ,when he fired it in low light he sold it immediately. Muzzle flash is dependant on powder, the newer powders have better flash supressors. Slower powders burn more outside the gun. Higher pressure cartridges have more flash. Shorter barrels have more flash. YES muzzle flash can blind you, and the muzzle blast can deafen you. Best choice ? - 45acp 5" barrel , 44special 6" barrel

 

[Abner]

Darrin,

I have taken a lowlight/no light defensive pistol course and can offer my experiences. I was using a Glock 19 and three different loads to measure flash. 115gr Winchester Silvertip, 135gr Federal Hydra-shok and 115gr +P Remington JHP. When using a Surefire light to identify/illuminate targets, the muzzle flash of these rounds obviously didn't matter at all. The Surefire is much brighter.
The instructors also had us engage targets at 10 yards in moonlight without a flashlight. I was able to double tap the targets without loosing the silouette due to muzzle flash with the Silvertips and Hydra-shoks. It was impossible with the Remingtons because the muzzle flash was so bright. After the first round, my eyes would need about 5 seconds in order to see the dark silouette again.
Test your loads and remember that cheap ball ammo will probably have more flash than defensive ammo from the major manufacturers.
I think that it is possible to loose your target after you fire, but hopefully your first rounds will hit their mark and you will be beating feet to another position.

 

[Darrin]

mete, thanks for the example of the .357. I'm going to pass that story on to my coworker who is thinking of having his wife's .357 ported. It's going to be her carry gun.

Abner, do you think the .56" difference in barrel lenth between the G19 and G26 would be that much different with muzzle flash?

Has anyone compared muzzle flash from RBCD Preformance Plus ammo with other ammo?

 

[Abner]

Darrin, I don't think that there would be much difference but I don't have guns of the same type with different barrel lengths to compare.

 

[critter]

A lot of people make a big deal out of the muzzle flash and it WILL, of course, be a problem to the user in really dark curcumstances. However, seems to me that it is a far bigger problem to the guy looking at the open end of the tube! I ain't gonna worry 'bout it myself! (NO ports for me tho!)

 

[Sean Smith]

Flash is a function of ammo type and barrel length, in that order.

 

[another okie]

Target/range ammo = usually a big flash
most expensive ammo = usually a little flash

Low flash powder requires expensive ingredients. No reason to put it in cheap ammo for daytime range use.

 

[Darrin]

Thanks for the clarification everyone!

 

[10-Ring]

As carry guns go, STAY AWAY FROM PORTED GUNS! FOr muzzle flash, it really will depend on the caliber & the ammo used.

How many licks does it take to reach the center of a tootsie-roll pop?

3