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- Alfred Mendoza
- June 1, 2023
The recoil of the firearm creates a big effect on the precision when you shoot a target. A muzzle device could be your best solution. But with so many choices, our team narrowed it down to two of the best performing muzzle devices.
Read further as we comprehensively compared muzzle brake vs flash hider differences.
Table of Contents
How Do You Compare Flash Hider & Muzzle Brake?
The main purpose of a flash hider is to reduce the bright light produced by the hot air from a shot of a rifle.
On the contrary, the brake’s primary purpose is to reduce the drawbacks on guns and manage the gas.
The flash suppressor can conceal visible light from firing guns, while the other device can increase flare and noise. A hider is best to use at night because of its properties.
Muzzle Brake
PROS
- Reduces recoil of guns effectively
- Reduces muzzle rise
- Less upward and side to side motion of guns
- Quickens line sight alignment
- Directs pressure
CONS
- Produces a very loud noise
- Expensive
Flash Hider
PROS
- Allows to conceal rifle fire at night
- Affordable firearm accessory
- Effective for low light shooting
- Appealing design
- The device is easy to install
CONS
- Aids very minimal muzzle climb
- Reduces speed of the weapon
Head to Head Comparison
Flash & Noise Reduction
The flash suppressor or hider reduces the visible flash of guns when fired. Its primary role is to protect you and your fellow shooter’s night vision when you pull the trigger in the range. On the other hand, the other accessory produces noise from the gunfire and develops visible flashes.
Recoil & Muzzle Stabilization
The drawback stopper is known to fight recoil on guns and stabilize it. The drawback of guns can be reduced up to 50% if you shoot with this. For example, too much drawback is hard to use, so the equipment would be a good help to stabilize the guns. On the contrary, hiders only offer slight muzzle climb or drawback reduction.
Weapon Compatibility
Both types of equipment are interchangeable and are compatible with different rifles. The equipment is at the tip of the carbine or rifle barrel, and fellow shooters can hardly see the differences unless used.
The designs are universal and mostly positioned on the dead center of the gun. It is best to check the thread of your barrel to avoid incompatibility on guns.
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Purpose
When it comes to purpose, the two have a noticeable difference. Flash hiders’ main purpose is to reduce muzzle flash from the guns while the other reroute the gas to manage the drawback of the firearms.
The hider is a flash suppressor, and when you pull the trigger, the drawbacks are high. On the other hand, the stopper (not muzzle brake) produces a very strong sound and light but is good for firearm drawbacks.
Accuracy
Muzzle compensators give a very significant effect on accurate shots compared to flash suppressors. The increased rate of drawback affects the accurate target shooting on the range, and with the help of the compensator, the muzzle climb is somehow stabilized.
Flash suppressors have a say in accurate target acquisition, especially when shooting in low light. It can somehow control drawbacks but in a very minimal difference.
Follow-up Shots & Gas Dispersion
The muzzle compensator has a unique air system and fast follow-up shots. The equipment at the tip of the barrel reroutes and controls the air in different ports. It helps with the drawbacks, upward and side to side motion.
The gas dispersion of flash suppressor vs compensator, however, is not that impressive. Since it tries to hide the flare of the guns produced by the gas, it disrupts air as much as possible and creates drawbacks.
Gun Law Restriction
When it comes to legalities, both equipment should not be attached to a threaded barrel because that is prohibited in several states [1].
However, some laws restrict the use of flash hiders, and some states banned this equipment. They find the flash guard of rifles as a perfect tool to conceal gun operation, but it only slightly reduces the flare but not hides it.
Do Flash Hiders & Muzzle Brakes Have Similarities?
The similarity of the two accessories is they both deal with and redirect hot gas. The hot air expelled on the firearm when a shot has been fired is the thing to deal with.
The pressured air produces the drawback after the round powder burn. There are chances that dust will go straight to your face because of the drawback when in a shooting prone position. The hot air is also responsible for the flare when firing or shooting a target.
When the hot air from the explosion meets cool air in the firing line becomes incandescent and produces a bright light. However, even though the two have similarities, they have different priorities.
FAQS
Yes, muzzle brakes are louder than a flash hider. Thus, we suggest wearing ear protection when using these rifles. It redirects the air upward, and on both sides, the air that escapes on the ports produces a noisy sound on brake vs hider. By doing this, the drawbacks of guns will be manageable.
Our team highly recommends the hider for better nighttime hunting. It reduces the visible muzzle flash that can significantly affect the shooter and the target. Since the other one produces flare and is noisy, it is not highly recommendable for nighttime hunting because it would be hard to hunt animals with sensitive hearing.
Flash hider is better for tactical use. Managing drawbacks after a bullet is shot is part of tactical training. The hider will help the shooter reduce the visible flare and noise that will help them safely complete the mission.
Muzzle brakes are more expensive. It is more than just a pot of steel, and you are paying more because of its finish, man-hours, machinery, research, model, range, gear, and performance. It will give you more performance than any other model upgrades.
Should You Choose Muzzle Brake or Flash Hider?
Muzzle brakes are better and extremely popular because of their recoil management, which usually affects the target precision. For low-light hunting, a flash suppressor could help you acquire a target unnoticed but notice the drawbacks of firearms that may affect firearm target acquisition.
There are visible similarities between a muzzle brake vs flash suppressor. However, the approach and purpose of the two do have a major difference. With this knowledge, we hope that we cleared your confusion and you can get your next upgrade.
References:
- https://safeact.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/02/rifles_banned_features.pdf
