Like muzzle brakes, flash hiders have varying degrees of performance. Meaning some do their intended job better than others. As far as flash suppressors go, the A2 bird cage does a pretty good job. I can't remember for sure on who did a comparison but it was near the top of the list in suppression performance and for as cheap as they are, one heck of a deal. I think "truth about guns did the test". The same thing with muzzle brakes some perform very well and others not so much. Price paid is not refection on how well they will do. And of course, the are the muzzle devices that claim to do both with an emphasis on one aspect of the other. They are the proverbial jack of all trades, master of none.

Since the primary aim of the A2 flash suppressor is to starve the unburnt gases of oxygen, that is what it does best. I'm not really sure combating muzzle rise was really a consideration in the design and is probably more of an after thought selling point beyond the intended dust kick up minimizing. Rastoff is probably right in the muzzle rise prevention effectiveness being minimal. A true muzzle brake with ports on the top or angled side ports would be more effective.


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Since muzzle flash can't possibly be hidden (the business end is wide open) and my Drill Sgt made me do several exhausting 8 count pushups for not knowing the proper nomenclature (according to him). To this day over 3 decades later I refer to the thing screwed on the end of the M16, AR, M4 or any other variants as a "Flash Suppressor". It can only suppress visible flash. It cannot hide the flash..... This misunderstanding turned my arms and legs to rubber, but as much of an A hole that guy was to me I know he was correct...

In BT we were issued (2) pair of boots. On the upper rear of one pair of the boots was a white dot painted onto them. We were to wear the dot pair every other day as to not wear out a pair from wearing them always.
One morning, during a Chinese fire drill, I put on the wrong pair of boots. From morning inspection until 20:30 that night, I was pushing up about every 15 minutes to an hour. From 20:30-21:00 was our time. My DI called me to his tent (11B-Infantry-We lived in the field 80% of BT). He told me why I did push ups all day. My arms were like rubber that evening, but, I slept very well!

Wait, the thing that holds my collapsible stock is not a buffer tube? Who knew.


My vote is for muzzle thingie. Just think how much fun it will be irritating other AR enthusiasts. Personally I like calling my shot shells bullets. This really angers some at the local range. I'm a bad boy.

As for the rifle designation, this is a good read: M16 rifle - Wikipedia

While it probably was the intention of the military to upgrade the forearm with the round one on the A2, I can attest that things don't always go that way. It's possible that the military accepted rifles with the other features of the new A2 while still accepting the triangular hand guard. I've seen it many times in my career where the new thing still has some old parts on it. Saves cost for everyone.

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Thanks to everyone for the deep-dive on all different kinds of muzzle thingie's. To answer my original questions...I did put a Mechforce muzzle brake on my M&P 15T. The range I shoot at is outdoors, fairly open, and plenty of room between stations. The noise and concussion from this little thing shouldn't be an issue for anyone. I can't wait to take it out to the range and see how much difference it made. Thanks again to everyone for the needed info!

Heh heh...for some, yes.

Just to get technical, Army references prior to the M16A2 call it a flash suppressor. Subsequent versions (post-A1) with solid lower half get the 'compensator' designation.

Like anything else, trying to combine functions (flash suppression + redirection of muzzle gas) in one unit tends to result in reduced abilities in both functions. The A2 does have some brake effect (compensation), but it's not as good as a purpose-designed brake device. The Smith Vortex does a spectacular job of suppressing flash, with no brake effect.

Yes. I know that in 1990, the USAF had some rifles that had the A2 upper with elevation drum sight, but had triangle hand guards. We also had A1 uppers that were rebarreled with newer barrels and muzzle thingies.

I can hardly wait for the new guys to come along and see everyone calling the hider/compensator/brakes muzzle thingies as the forum joke and losing their minds! LOL


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Yeah, that will be funny.
I call all of them a FLASH HIDER. It's like down here in the south, no matter what kind of cold drink you are drinking, everything is called a Coke.

I don't mean to burst your bubble, but, here is a M16A1 FLASH HIDER.

AR15/M16A1 Flashider Birdcage

3 Prong Muzzle Device Durability : ar15

You are welcome. If you haven't noticed, thread drift is common here. The info is usually useful but thread drift none the less. Ha ha!

Everyone is different on the felt recoil front. For most of my firearms, a brake isn't necessary for that purpose except for my 7.62 NATO, short barrel (16.5") bolt action rifle. I'm not a long range precision shooter, so it isn't that big of a deal to me. Decent groups at 100 yards is enough.

My 5.56 NATO bolt rifle is in desperate need of a flash suppressor. Same length barrel as the 7.62 and the muzzle flash during the day is quite impressive. I'll probably get an A2 flash suppressor for it to make sure dirt kick up is minimal and to dial that muzzle flash down. I've acquired the necessary tooling to cut the barrel diameter down and thread the barrel for it. Carolina Shooters sells the stuff for not a bad price and allows the average person with metal working knowledge to do it with basic tools.

Anyway, good luck and enjoy!


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I too remember the white dot boot inspections. I never got caught on that one though.

Ads and blogs are dandy, but when you want the correct
nomenclature, always check the -10.

US Army Operator's Manual, Rifle, 5.56mm M16 and M16A1:

http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/MIL...1_may_1990.pdf

Check page 35 of the PDF (page 2-1 of the TM).

It's on the internet, so, it must be true.

Well, we did designate it as the "muzzle thingy"...


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...sounds like a Fort Jackson thing, along with the "white dots".

While I agree they are louder, if he is training to shoot long distances and trying to involve the wife a muzzle brake at the range would be effective. The recoil isn't bad stock, but you have to train with what your going to shoot. Ammo and configuration.
Most ranges will have instructions on how to set your scope at 25/30 yards to be ready for 100+. Muzzle brakes cAn be inexpensive, no need for a $100 brake if it's not for competition. Just ensure it's a top ported brake and not a prett flash hider.

A muzzle brake may or may not reduce muzzle rise, but if it does, the bullet is already well on it's way to the target.

Almost every where I read about it they call it a FLASH HIDER.
Flash suppressor - Wikipedia
A flash suppressor, also known as a flash guard, flash eliminator, flash hider, or flash cone, is a device attached to the muzzle of a rifle that reduces its visible signature while firing by cooling or dispersing the burning gases that exit the muzzle, a phenomenon typical of carbine-length weapons.

Taken from the very first sentence of the very first paragraph.

Geeeesh... you fellas still struggling with the muzzle thingie? I shudder to think when the discussion turns to metallurgy and magnetic particle inspection.

Swons73, that Mechforce looks sharp.
Looking forward to your vid of it in action.

Uh huh... and folks call magazines clips, receiver extensions are called buffer tubes, cartridges are called bullets, etc, but that doesn't make them correct. There is proper nomenclature, and there is "everyday" language that gets used. When looking for proper nomenclature of parts of a rifle originally designed for military use, I would say that the military tech manuals would be a better source than Wikipedia. Wikipedia is updated by anyone, hence the use of the "everyday" use of the term "flash hider".

At the end of the day it's still a flash thingy-AKA-Flash Hider.
Even at the Nuremberg trials, you can't make me crack! It's a FLASH HIDER!
Ja Vol Herr Kommandant!

I have been trying to trace it back to its original/first patent..
thus far, it is still VERY questionable as to what it was originally named..

That said, I have a couple friends who are military vets as well, one did about 8 years, the other a full 20 and retired out..

One said Suppressor, the other said Hider.. LOL

Anyway, I got a friend of mine who is the Go-To guy for all questions fire arm - riffle etc related.. He is a long time collector and really knows a LOT!

He seems absolutely convinced it originated on a 308 something or another, and Was/is called a Flash HIDER..
(Don't quote me, as I honestly forgot what all he said the other day, but am pretty sure he did say a 308)..

I have been pretty convinced it is called a Flash Suppressor..

either way, I have concluded that it may never be answered with absolute certainty.. Especially considering that every time I think I have found the original/first patent on such a device, I run across another that pre dates it etc..

I give up.. for now..

I'm gonna go with muzzle thingy.. LOL

The first saw reference to a flash hider was with the M1 Garand and it was the cone type that clipped onto the bayonet lug. From my understanding, they didn't work well. While they may have hid the flash well, the way they mount would wear and throw the shot due to inconsistent seating.

The earliest flash suppressors I've seen were on the M14.

I'm not sure any of this helps but it's all I got.


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The best compensators can reduce recoil as much as 70% and can help small frame people shooting even with the lighter recoil of a AR ..
AR-15 Muzzle Brake Shootout #2 -- TheTruthAboutGuns

there's a young lady I see shooting her AR at the out door range I go to .. she is barely 5 feet if that tall and probably 95 pounds soaking wet .. I thought she was a kid the first time I saw her .. she has a compensator on hers and says it is the only way it makes it comfortable enough for her to shoot .. when she shoots her husband's that just has a flash hider on his the recoil difference is readily noticeable on her small frame ..

but dang it is much louder ..

I've seen that and some other work they have done. I'm actually thinking about getting the Precision Armament M4-72 compensator for my 7.62 rifle. It does brake as high as 70% but it's pretty high on the list and for about $100, one heck of a deal for the performance you get.

In any case, if a person needs a brake, it's not a big deal to me. There are people that think a 7.62 NATO bolt rifle doesn't need one either. My shoulder tells me otherwise. Some people can shoot .300 Win Mag all day long. Good for them. In the end, we want people to shoot and enjoy shooting. The more the better.

In my original comment, I stated I wouldn't put a brake on a 5.56 AR and I hold to that but that is just me and my opinion. The OP can take whatever he wants from it and I won't think bad of him either way he chooses to go. The important thing is that the shooter is comfortable, wants to shoot because they are, and can work on doing it well if she doesn't already.


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New Muzzle Thingys!

I'm back from my vacation!
So, you had the "DOTTED BOOTS" as well, huh?
My (2) DI's were ex-MARINES from Viet Nam. Those guys were a few french fries short of a HAPPY MEAL!
When I arrived at BT in 1984 we had 269 troops. 11.5 weeks later, we graduated 69 troops! I have NEVER been in that great of shape in my whole life. I went in there 5'9", 210 lbs. I used to work out religiously. My DI's didn't want me anywhere around weights. They ran us so much, I'm still puking to this day. BTW, on graduation day I weighed 175 lbs. of the leanest, meanest muscle possible! HOOAH!

Those are some nice FLASH HIDERS. Can you provide the link to those FLASH HIDERS?

Indeed. And it will work if you search for "Flash Suppressor" as well.

Yankee Hill Machine Annihilator Flash Hider 5.56mm 1/2x28 Threads YHM-27-ZH 18% OFF

Wilson Combat Accu-Tac Flash Hider AR-15 TRATFH 28% OFF Best Rated

I really like the Wilson FLASH HIDER. And, when you open the links, they actually read FLASH HIDERS.

That's not a flash hider, THIS is a flash hider!




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Actually, it's a muzzle brake but whatever! LOL


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Earliest examples of a Flash -------- I have found so far is a British Lee–Enfield 303 (what my friend was referring to, NOT 308.. My mistake saying 308, instead of 303)..

And a M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle..

both go back to long before Vietnam, and also before WW2..

There, I fixed it for you.

thanks man! much better! and dead on accurate as well! LOL

I'm wanting to put a new Flash Hider Thingy on my AR-556. I am open to suggestions, but, don't want to spend over $30. I want something that looks really cool and different. Let's see what you've got.

Thats just nasty. My cousin would have bought that if he saw it (and if he could afford it) instead of that goofy spikey ace YHM Annihilator.

I LIKE IT! Where can I get one?

I found these cool flash hider thingy's online. Which one should I buy?
Muzzle Attatchments :: 1/2-28 AR15 Threads :: Roid Remover Flash Hider
AR-15 M4 Phantom Flash Hider with Twisted Slots
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/629923694
NEW!! Seekins Precision 3 Prong 223 Flash Hider | AR15NEWS.COM - Your AR-15 news source!
AR-15 "Zombie Slayer" Muzzle Brake - 4" Long

I got it from Carolina Shooters. It's a breaching muzzle brake for Saiga shotguns, though they may have models threaded for other firearms.


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Ha ha! Well, it's a breaching brake for a shotgun, so the spikes have a purpose. It stands the muzzle off the door or whatever so you don't banana split your barrel.


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My vote is for the roid remover

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Peace was my Profession

I like this one from Black Rain, but I would never pay $100 for it.

Black Rain Flash Suppressor 223 - Pegasus Defense

Which one is the roid remover?

1st one you have linked.

Muzzle Attatchments :: 1/2-28 AR15 Threads :: Roid Remover Flash Hider

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Peace was my Profession

My vote is for this one for having the best braking ability for the price.

https://precisionarmament.com/produc...l-compensator/

But the next vote would be for the Roid Remover is you are purely looking at looks.

Yeah, I like that one too. And, it's under my $30 budget.

I like the Zombie Slayer...it could also double as a bayonet!

It can also be used to roast hot dogs over a camp fire.