Flash Suppressor

[Giortire]

Hey Guys,
I'm looking for a new flash suppressor for a .556 AR. I have a standard A2 on it now, but it has a pretty big flash during night shooting.
Let me know your opinions on what is the best bang for the buck on flash suppressors. I don't need a compensator, so that does not need to be figured in.
Thanks, as always.
Gio

 

[Little Jack]

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/03/09/ar-15-muzzle-device-comparison/

Not saying this is the end all be all but there's some good info, it's worth going through.

I'd say, according to this guy's findings, the A2 is the best bang for buck.

 

[Giortire]

Interesting.
I had been leaning towards a YHM Phantom, but not sure how much better it would be then the A2. But for $24, I may try it anyway. It certainly changed my mind about going with an expensive one.

 

[Gravity3694]

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/03/09/ar-15-muzzle-device-comparison/

Not saying this is the end all be all but there's some good info, it's worth going through.

I'd say, according to this guy's findings, the A2 is the best bang for buck.

Definitely true. I have a $150 Battlecomp that in my opinion is a nice paperweight because of its negative recoil. I'm open to trying a FSC556 next.

I'm surprised how good A2s are with the proper ammo.

 

[Mr. Katanga]

Theres a reason A2s come on almost every AR you see, they are cheap and they work pretty good. If you just want to minimize flash the best one I have ever used is a vortex. They are usually $75 or less and they really do work, shooting at night really makes a difference almost completely eliminating muzzle flash and takes the concussion off your ears. Only drawback besides the cost is the added length and weight, which never bothered me, but if you spend any time in the swamp or out in the woods vines and tree limbs get hung up in the prongs.

 

[Giortire]

Theres a reason A2s come on almost every AR you see, they are cheap and they work pretty good. If you just want to minimize flash the best one I have ever used is a vortex. They are usually $75 or less and they really do work, shooting at night really makes a difference almost completely eliminating muzzle flash and takes the concussion off your ears. Only drawback besides the cost is the added length and weight, which never bothered me, but if you spend any time in the swamp or out in the woods vines and tree limbs get hung up in the prongs.

Interesting.

 

[Gravity3694]

Interesting.

They also have a ringing sound when the bolt reciprocates. Some people hate the sound. AAC makes one that has tines that don't ring, its better made and cheaper at $60.

 

[Mr. Katanga]

I never noticed any ringing, I think mine was made by smith it had 4 helical prongs that were all cut at opposite angles and seem to really tame the muzzle blast/flash. The aac is a strait cut 3 prong but Ive never used one before but it probably works about the same. It looks kind of like the original duckbill on the M-16 but they went to the A2 hider because of it catching vegitation and kicking up dust. I would recommend the smith, I saw on midway that they should be back in stock next week and they were like $46

 

[Gravity3694]

I used to use the Smith but I disliked the length and ringing. I went back to the A2 and then got hooked on brakes.

 

[Mr. Katanga]

Yeah theyre pretty long but a lot easier on the ears, the only break Ive ever cared for was a AK-74 style. I had an old olympic arms that had a break built into the barrel, it had 3 big openings down both sides and some smaller ones on the top and the concussion would make your ears ring even with hearing protection on, you had to hold your mouth open when you shot it or you could feel the pressure wave in your nasal cavity.

 

[Gravity3694]

Brakes are a acquired taste and of course every muzzle device has trade offs. My favorite brake that I've shot is the Surefire 556K. Its a flat shooter with mild concussion to the shooter, but woe to whoever is standing to the side. I would never want to use that brake indoors either. Who needs flashbangs when you have muzzle brakes.
My Battlecomp rattles my teeth and does too good of a job by putting too much downward force on the barrel.
One brake I want to try is the BCM comp, although I kinda suspect that its just a expensive A2.
I've always wanted to try a brake just for fun on my 11.5 SBR. Of course I'll probably get the firing line all to myself after a few shots.

 

[donr101395]

I like the A2 and Battlecomp. I don't find the noise signature much different between the A2 and BC. Breaks I can't deal with, but do use an AAC Brakeout on my 12.5 MRP piston primarily just to add an extra blast shield for the suppressor.
Like Gravity said, they all have tradeoffs.

 

[Giortire]

A lot of good information. Has anyone used the YMH Phantom? I read nothing but good things about them.