

May aid in slight muzzle-rise reduction.Helps to keep your rifle fire concealed at night.For whatever reason that someone intentionally wants to buy or use an A2 flash hider, they can be picked up for as little as $10, making it the cheapest option by far in the realm of muzzle devices. However, it doesn't provide stellar results which is to be expected from the government's "limited" budget. The bottom is solid to prevent you from creating a dust signature when firing from the prone position, and it is an overall acceptable flash hider. This flash hider is the most common design you’ll see and is the standard for rifles used by out military. If you have an ‘off the shelf AR15’ you more than likely have an A2 flash hider, commonly referred to as a ‘birdcage’ design. By blending the hot gasses with cooler ambient air in a disruptive pattern, there can no longer be a large bubble to glow and the gas is dissipated in smaller sections. In order to negate this burst of visible light, flash hiders create turbulence. In simpler terms hot gasses make bright lights. So the ‘flash’ that we see is actually this gas bubble becoming incandescent and briefly crossing the visible spectrum.

These hot gasses leave the end of the barrel and create a sort of bubble effect. What that flash actually represents, is extremely hot gasses (usually around 3,600 degrees) expanding rapidly when meeting cooler, ambient air. There is this misconception that muzzle flash is the result of unburned powder.

Despite looking similar, they serve very different purposes and can range in price anywhere from $20 to $150 or even more. Some may not know the difference between these muzzle devices, have incorrect information or just may not see why it matters. There are several different AR 15 muzzle device types that help you achieve a desired effect in making each shot as efficient as possible for your AR build. Let's discuss what exists in the world of AR15 muzzle devices. One of the most common mistakes made in the gun community is referring to a magazine as a ‘clip’, but a very close second is confusing a muzzle brake, flash hider, and compensator. *Update: This blog has been updated to reflect more accurate information in 2022.
