Flash Hider

There are a lot of flash hiders available for the AR-15 platform now that the AWB sunset in 2004. Some are relatively cheap like the GI birdcage flash hider and some are in the $150 ( or more) range.

As the KitUp blog noted –

The interesting thing is the geometry isn’t much different from one manufacturer to the other — with the open prong design dominating the look. But one thing is radically different about the Ranier Arms product: it’s price.

Checking the Rainier Arms website, the XD Flash Hider retails for $47.45. It is available in either a black parkerized finish or a matte stainless steel finish.

I have not tried it out in the field but from the video below it seems to work just fine. Depending on where you shop, the Smith Vortex is similarly priced.

The Vuurwapen Blog did a comparison of a number of flash hiders and muzzle breaks to see how they really did in the dark. They compared the Primary Weapon Systems TTO, the AAC Blackout 18T, the Smith Vortex, the Battle Comp 1.0, and your basic A2 bird cage flash hider. They filmed the AR-15 from three different perspectives: the shooter’s perspective, 25 yards downrange, and at right angles to the muzzle from three feet. After watching the video, all I can say is that money doesn’t buy you flash suppression.

Here are the flash hiders and muzzle breaks tested along with their retail price:

A2 Flash Hider – $6 from Del-Ton

Smith Vortex – $51 from Smith Enterprises

AAC Blackout 18T Flash Hider – $99 from Advanced Armament

Primary Weapon Systems TTO – $99.95 from PWS

Battle Comp 1.0 – $149 from Battle Comp

UPDATE: Corrected picture for AAC Blackout 18T Flash Hider. Thanks to Gun Monkey for catching that.