View Full Version : Suppressors & flash?
PatrioticDisorder
08-16-14, 13:02
I always read about guys running muzzle brakes on their suppressors and it had me curious, does it make a difference in flash coming out of the can if you run a muzzle brake instead of a flash hider?
I don't want fireballs coming out of the end of the can and suppressed shooting for me will only be some of the time. I generally prefer flash hiders by a large margin over muzzle brake, however I'd like to balance keeping the cans in good shape with overall performance. Rifle cans I'm waiting on stamps include SOCOM RC (11.5 AR use) & Mini 556 (14.5 & 16 AR use), Saker 762 (for dedicated .300 Blkout use) and I intend to buy SOCOM mini 762 (for 16" .308 use) and possible Saker 556 use (if i get it, 10" SCAR CQC use).
My understanding is that once you put the suppressor on, it really doesn't matter what your MD is as they will all more or less act the same. The difference is that a break can act as a sacrificial baffle and therefore protect the suppressor. Of course things change when shooting unsuppressed. I remember Pannone saying that contrary to what a lot of people think, you will have intermittent fireballs coming from a can as well so that's something to keep in mind.
PatrioticDisorder
08-16-14, 20:00
My understanding is that once you put the suppressor on, it really doesn't matter what your MD is as they will all more or less act the same. The difference is that a break can act as a sacrificial baffle and therefore protect the suppressor. Of course things change when shooting unsuppressed. I remember Pannone saying that contrary to what a lot of people think, you will have intermittent fireballs coming from a can as well so that's something to keep in mind.
Well I have zero experience shooting suppressed but several suppressors with form 4s and a couple with form 3s being processed so I will be shooting suppressed at some point next year. I'm just trying to plan appropriately regarding which muzzle devices I purchase.
The amount of flash you get will be based on the specific can, barrel length, and ammo combination... the muzzle devise won't factor in once you put the can on. On my 14.5" with surefire mini (not SOCOM series) I occasionally get first round flash with xm193 ammo. This gun also has the 556-212 flash hider on it, which works really well with the can off. I don't get any flash from my 16" scar 16, which has the same flash hider.
I only notice the flash because I shoot inside and its easy to see. If I shot outside I probably wouldn't notice it.
For what you have listed, the one that will get the most abuse is the can on the 11.5". However, shooting a SBR with a brake isn't much fun for those around you. I would still go with the flash hider on that gun.
PatrioticDisorder
08-17-14, 20:26
The amount of flash you get will be based on the specific can, barrel length, and ammo combination... the muzzle devise won't factor in once you put the can on. On my 14.5" with surefire mini (not SOCOM series) I occasionally get first round flash with xm193 ammo. This gun also has the 556-212 flash hider on it, which works really well with the can off. I don't get any flash from my 16" scar 16, which has the same flash hider.
I only notice the flash because I shoot inside and its easy to see. If I shot outside I probably wouldn't notice it.
For what you have listed, the one that will get the most abuse is the can on the 11.5". However, shooting a SBR with a brake isn't much fun for those around you. I would still go with the flash hider on that gun.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I think I agree with you regarding the flash hider.
Eurodriver
08-17-14, 21:20
I haven't shot my SBR unsuppressed in over 3 years. I rarely, if ever, notice any flash.
Shooting it with the MB is pretty bad for those around you from what I remember, but **** them. They don't have $1000 tied up in my blast baffles.
Thank you for sharing your experience, I think I agree with you regarding the flash hider.
No worries. Happy I could help.
...and you can always put the FH end cap in the Saker for extra flash hiding. :)
I'm really curious to see how well that works and a comparison with and without.
I bought one, but mainly to more easily tell the difference in the 7.62 and 5.56 caps so I don't blow a .30 or 6.8 hole in the 5.56 cap. I have the FH cap here, but the 7.62 can is in jail for awhile longer (pending 7/24).
Jwknutson17
08-18-14, 09:25
Having a brake or "extra baffles" is never a bad thing. I think everyone can agree on that. Your can is a lot more important then a 100 dollar muzzle device. The way I see it, how would "extra baffles" not help? With a can on, use a brake. Once you get your can, you won't really shoot the rifle without it. And if you do, it's not that bad. I shoot 11.5s with brakes all the time. Frankly I don't care what other people think when I shoot it without a can. It's a rifle and it makes noise, what do you expect. Get a brake. Protects the can, and you don't get any annoying 12 o'clock flash with other muzzle devices.
PatrioticDisorder
08-18-14, 09:45
Having a brake or "extra baffles" is never a bad thing. I think everyone can agree on that. Your can is a lot more important then a 100 dollar muzzle device. The way I see it, how would "extra baffles" not help? With a can on, use a brake. Once you get your can, you won't really shoot the rifle without it. And if you do, it's not that bad. I shoot 11.5s with brakes all the time. Frankly I don't care what other people think when I shoot it without a can. It's a rifle and it makes noise, what do you expect. Get a brake. Protects the can, and you don't get any annoying 12 o'clock flash with other muzzle devices.
If muzzle flash with can on is the same with either flash hider or muzzle device, I'd be interested to hear if anyone can quantify the benefit of using the brake as a sacrificial baffle... If it will increase the life if the suppressor significantly, I definitely agree I'd be shooting suppressed like 99% of the time....
I bought one, but mainly to more easily tell the difference in the 7.62 and 5.56 caps so I don't blow a .30 or 6.8 hole in the 5.56 cap. I have the FH cap here, but the 7.62 can is in jail for awhile longer (pending 7/24).
Do you have access to a range during your conjugal visits with the Saker? If love to test out the flash hider cap but I don't have access to a range until I get my stamp...
My understanding is that once you put the suppressor on, it really doesn't matter what your MD is as they will all more or less act the same.
That's my experience. It's interesting that you get more flash with the can than without where the FH can do its thing.
Do you have access to a range during your conjugal visits with the Saker? If love to test out the flash hider cap but I don't have access to a range until I get my stamp...
I didn't think so, but I just called to ask that question. That may seem odd, but I used Silencer Shop Direct and so I never talked to the local dealer. They're 75 miles away, so I haven't just stopped by one day to see. I have three cans in jail with them (and a 4th here locally), and have the three UPS confirmation emails showing they were delivered. I've emailed them twice in the last 3-4 weeks just wanting confirmation they were all there with my name one them, but never got a reply.
So, you question made me decide to call and ask. The three cans are indeed there. The Saker is sitting there with no MAAD mount, as I chose the Y-Mount, but it hasn't actually been released. SiCo said it would ship 3Q14, and SS will send it directly to me.
The place does not have a range, but said they have a deal worked out with one ~6 miles away. If the Y-Mount gets here before approval, I'll probably run up there one day to test them out.
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