What are realistic expectations for flash reduction on suppressed SBRs?

[R.O.U.S.]

I decided to get into suppressors last year after shooting a friends DD MK18 with a Surefire RC2.
I went with a Knights 7.62 QDC CRS because I had plans to get an SR-25, and KAC had a flash hider that would let me mount it on an AR15. I’ve shot 1330 rounds through the suppressor. 110 rounds of 308 (on a SR25), and 1020 rounds of 556/223 through it.

SBR config
11.5” 556 Colt “FBI” profile barrel w Colt upper receiver, and Colt BCG
Knight’s 7.62 QDC CRS mounted on rifle using the ½” QDC flash suppressor kit PN111583
The lower receiver is DD factory SBR used it with normal carbine receiver extension and H1, H2, H3, custom 8.5oz buffers. I eventually upgraded this to an A5 extension with Springco green spring/SR25 recoil spring, and a A5H2 buffer.

I’ve also mounted the barrel on a DD 11.5” V7S, and an upper built around a 12.5” Hodge Defense barrel with similar results.

I’m not happy with the flash suppression with this suppressor on a 556 SBR. I've also noticed the locking collar getting loose during use. I don’t have night vision, or anything like it, but I prefer less flash than more. The QDC (closed tine) flash hider by itself does a better job at flash reduction. Adding the suppressor makes it into a flash enhancer.
The following pictures are with Federal American Eagle XM193. Photo’s aren’t great because I used print screen on a video I took. Nearly every round is a fireball. PMC bronze flashes less often, but still outputs a fireball. Norma Tac 223 is just about as flashy as Federal XM193.

I feel I can hear a tone difference between when it flashes, and the times I do not see visible flash.






Is this normal for suppressed SBRs? I feel like I’m missing something and doing things wrong somehow. It's nothing like what I see of people shooting suppressed setups on youtube.

PS.
I’m not sure if anything can be learned from looking at a blast baffle, but here is the best photo I was able to take. This is 60 rounds fired (making the total round count 1330) after a cleaning of Boretech C4 carbon remover. Reduced the weight of the suppressor from 16 ounces to 15.8 ounces. The suppressor was 15.7 ounces out of the box.

[Eurodriver]

Normal.

10.3” Centurion Barrel with AE 223



Wait til you see what it looks like under NODs! Hope you’ve got autogated shit

My buddy shooting my can (M4-2k) on a 12.5” Noveske. Not as bad but still bright.

[SteveL]

I have a Dead Air Sandman K and it shoots substantial fireballs out of both my 11.5" shorties and my 16" recce.

[1168]

Whoever said that a sound suppressor is the best flash suppressor lied. He probably didnÂ’t even have a can. They are better than bare muzzle, and some are better than others, but do not usually beat a good flash suppressor and a few more inches of barrel.

[Leaveammoforme]

The only thing you can do is try a MAMs instead of the flash hider. May bring the flash down some while suppressed.

I have a Dead Air Sandman K and it shoots substantial fireballs out of both my 11.5" shorties and my 16" recce.

The Sandman 5.56 flash hider end cap made a substantial reduction to flash from my 11.5". Still there occasionally but not as distracting.

[markm]

Handloading a low flash powder can help. Shooting 5.56mm ammo with a flashy ball powder will often be pretty flashy.

[R.O.U.S.]

Normal.

10.3” Centurion Barrel with AE 223



Wait til you see what it looks like under NODs! Hope you’ve got autogated shit

My buddy shooting my can (M4-2k) on a 12.5” Noveske. Not as bad but still bright.

I didn't expect such quick replies. Thanks for telling me that it is normal. I have no NODs yet, but I hope to get them in the future.

I have a Dead Air Sandman K and it shoots substantial fireballs out of both my 11.5" shorties and my 16" recce.

I have a Knights 556 mini which probably performs like the Sandman K. I get flash with, but I expected a mini suppressor to flash. I just thought a full size 6" suppressor would magically make it less.

Whoever said that a sound suppressor is the best flash suppressor lied. He probably didnÂ’t even have a can. They are better than bare muzzle, and some are better than others, but do not usually beat a good flash suppressor and a few more inches of barrel.

I was always under the impression that a suppressor was better than any flash suppressor. This is good to know.

The only thing you can do is try a MAMs instead of the flash hider. May bring the flash down some while suppressed.


The Sandman 5.56 flash hider end cap made a substantial reduction to flash from my 11.5". Still there occasionally but not as distracting.

Not really feasible unfortunately. Knights does not make a 1/2" x 28 MAMs that accept their 762 suppressors.

For example. My 1/2"x28 556 MAMs on the left with the 556 QDC-CQB. On the right is the 1/2"x28 flash adapter that lets you mount 762 suppressors to it. It's the only one that KAC makes. I would need an AR barrel with at least 5/8" threads to mount the appropriate MAMs break to get the 762 suppressor to mount..

Handloading a low flash powder can help. Shooting 5.56mm ammo with a flashy ball powder will often be pretty flashy.

I only shoot factory ammo at the moment. I am interested in hand loading, but I'm limited on space, and I don't have a bench to mount a press.


Thanks for the replies. All is well. I need to go buy more ammo.

[Mutant90]

I have a Dead Air Sandman K on an 11.5" AR. The standard 7.62 end cap has substantial flash, while the 5.56 flash hider cap is significantly less flashy.

[Mrgunsngear]

I have a Dead Air Sandman K on an 11.5" AR. The standard 7.62 end cap has substantial flash, while the 5.56 flash hider cap is significantly less flashy.

Their flash hider end cap makes a huge difference as well.

[jsbhike]

Whoever said that a sound suppressor is the best flash suppressor lied. He probably didnÂ’t even have a can. They are better than bare muzzle, and some are better than others, but do not usually beat a good flash suppressor and a few more inches of barrel.

I have seen that claim in numerous firearms publications going back to at least the mid 1990's plus repeats online.

I have seen it claimed at least one time to justify police use that a can would allow firing in the presence of flammable vapors without concerns of igniting it and going kablooey.