As mentioned, our BRT Covert Comp does a great job controlling blast, especially in short barrels.
The non-indexed design is easy to install and only requires shim washers if your OCD requires it.
Ironically, I really like the Covert Comp on my 20" (soon to be 18"?) rifle. It’s nice to be able to coach a shooter without worrying about staying far enough back to avoid the concussion and less sound is bounced off the roof of a covered shooting bench . It cuts down on dust shooting in the prone. The fact that it doesn’t need to be “clocked” is a nice bonus - you can install it with lock rite and just snug it down.
Andy
Bushmaster mini-y comp. I dare you to find something louder.
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I’m cheap, and I like what works. A2 on everything.
I’ surprised no one has mentioned the Precision Armament AFAB or EFAB. Seems to get a lot of good reviews everywhere.
A2 works well for me but I’ve found the Yankee Hill 5C2 definitely reduces flash more on the 10.5". I have a BCM comp that came on a 16" upper that I haven’t found a reason to replace yet. I also have a Smith Enterprise Vortex that reduces muzzle flash very well and I like that it doesn’t require any washer or shims to mount.
I’ve been a big fan of the Precision Armament AFAB on my SR15 mod 1
I have been very pleased with the AFAB.
Its hard for me to wrap my head around $100+ muzzle devices like the AFAB. I can (mostly) understand supressor mount brakes/FH costing big money, but what do devices like the AFAB do for the shooter that a device half that price doesn’t do?
That is my issue with the BCM Mod 0 (and Mod 1) comp, as well. I like the one that BCM installed on my upper at no cost, but I would not pay retail for it.
Andy
From best to worst in what I’ve used
Yankee Hill Phantom Comp/Flash Hider YHM-28-5C - Great flash suppression and some comp effect
Wilson Combat Accu-Tac Flash Hider - Pretty good flash suppression, self tightening/no washer and shims, no ringing, looks cool
BCMGUNFIGHTER Compensator MOD 0 - Average flash suppression, notable comp effect
Smith Vortex - Great flash suppression, self tightening/no washer and shims, RINGS
Favorite: WarComp. My Geissele upper has a SF4P on it. After shooting another upper with a 5.56 Warcomp on it, my immediate response was “What muzzle rise?” Something another friend noted verbatim when I asked him to contrast the muzzle rise between the two.
Open tine PWS TRIAD, FOSSA 556 for flash hiders that reduce muzzle rise a little bit.
AFAB if you want some recoil control. Makes my 5.56 feel like a .22.
My more accurate ACOGed AR is equipped with an AAC blackout that came on a Noveske upper I got back in 2011. Im quite happy with it, no desire to replace it. In my experiences over the years the open tined flash hiders have always worked very well in flash suppression.
The above upper is a BCM and originally came with their flashcomp installed. It worked well, at least as advertised and IMO better than my friends BattleComp. However I decided that the increase in blast and occasional flashiness wasnt worth the recoil reduction that Im not fast enough to take any real advantage of and swapped it out for the AAC
The BCM flashcomp lived on my pretty safe queen back up/HD gun since all my remaining A2s look like ass and this was a nice clean black AR… that is until I got a look at Foward Controls 6315 and decided that had to be the ticket, and it really is.
It does what an A2 does, just a little better and with a whole lot more class. Also no more wondering where it really came from and what its actually made of. It will be my go to FH from here foward unless they go under or something equally well made, economical and effective comes along.
Thanks Roger!
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My favorites that I’ve used are the Precision Armament AFAB and the Surefire Warcomp, actually tough to pick between the two for general purpose use.
Both are minimal in the blast and noise departments compared to a dedicated compensator/muzzle brake, while still offering improved recoil mitigation and muzzle control.
The Warcomp is probably more versatile because it acts as a suppressor mount, and in testing equals an A2 for flash suppression, the Warcomp is a bit less blasty than the AFAB to the sides as well. So it’s flash hider with improved shooting characteristics. Just like a Surefire said it is.
The AFAB offers performance closer to a brake while offering flash suppression. Like the name implies. For maximizing performance without going full retard with a flame throwing ear splitting game gun comp it does very well.
Of course I have a lot of rounds on A2’s, they work at flash suppression, offer negligible compensation,and they’re cheap. Enough said.
My KAC SR-15 E3 Mod 2 shipped out with the KAC 3 prong flash hider. I didn’t shoot it in the dark, but I’m sure like all 3 prong flash hiders it murders flash. Of course it also acts as a suppressor host. I have tested the AFAB and Warcomp on the SR-15 and prefer either over the 3 prong, for my use. If I get a KAC suppressor I will instal a MAMS on the SR-15 to host it, I like recoil mitigation and muzzle control more so than maximum flash suppression. Keep in mind I’m no longer in the military and I’m not an LEO so I don’t shoot in a team environment.
I’ve also used the Precision Armament M4-72 Compensator. Whatever advantage in recoil control and muzzle control it might offer is negated by the back blast distracting the shooter and making you miserable while using it. Totally stupid and not worthwhile.
I also have a Dreadnaught F2 compensator on a game oriented rifle. This one is hilarious with all the recoil mitigation and muzzle control of the M4-72 with none of the back blast. Put plugs and muffs on, and it’s great to shoot. Makes the gun track in recoil like it’s a 10/22 firing standard velocity .22LR. Side blast will make everyone hate you though, so gaming only.
Over the weekend I had my gunsmith install the Smith Vortex G6A3 flash hider to one of my shooters. As per instructions, it’s self-tightening so it only had to be torqued to 10 ft-lbs. I made a mental note of the position of the top slot so I could see if this self-tightening was perceptible after the first range session. The verdict: I think I can see that it tightened by 1/16th of an inch or so. I’m assuming it gets to a point where it won’t tighten any further. I also did not try it out at night because there are plenty of videos showing what an efficient flash hider it is.
What I did notice is that it did not appear to affect the point of impact on the particular carbine where it’s installed.
Also noticeable, at least when dry firing or closing the bolt on an empty chamber is that it “rings” like a tuning fork. Of course with ear pro on and during firing I could not hear this, so I call it just an interesting bit of trivia.
All in all, I’m pleased with it. It added no noticeable extra weight to the muzzle versus the A2 flash hider. Since it’s self-tightening it also does not need a crush washer, shims for indexing, excess torque, or Rocksett.
I’m anxious to see if I can notice perceptible movement in the top slot after each range session. If the flash hider self-tightens for a few more sessions, the top slot will eventually index to the FSB.
EDITED TO ADD:
Looks like the Navy SEALS have used these as well.
https://www.ammoland.com/2013/09/smith-enterprise-mk48-flash-hiders/#axzz5hsmpWe5Y
Smith Enterprise received a purchase order from the Navy Seals for 400 each of their premium Vortex Flash Hiders for the MK48 Machine Gun.
The version of the Vortex purchased by the Navy Seals is the G6A3 flash hider that includes the new external ten-pitch radial bottom helical grooves, which aid in the easy removal of the Wind Talker Sound Suppressor.
What Is Everyone’s Thoughts, on pinning a 14.5 with a warcomp CTN vs 3-prong. My extensive research, has led me to believe that the CTN is what I want, but have also seen reports of it pushing the muzzle down too much as compared to a neutrally timed 3 prong. However it’s also shorter. Don’t really care if it hides the flash slightly worse. Thank you
Personally unless I had a specific need for a closed tine flash hider, which would really be limited to being a bit better at keeping debris out, and possibly being more durable; I’d just as soon use the 3 prong.
The 3 prong variant hides flash a bit better, and can be clocked to wherever you want it for muzzle control. It does ring a bit, but I don’t think that ringing is going to get you killed in the streets, I don’t notice it when shooting.
Either one will be of excellent quality, and look good (because that’s important dammit!). Probably no right or wrong answer here.
Precision Armament AFAB or EFAB.
I do like my AFAB too.
The hybrid devices like the Warcomp and AFAB/EFAB provide some nice benefits without a ton of drawbacks. The Warcomp is definitely less blasty than the AFAB though.
What made you decide to go with the G6A3? I went straight from the G6A2 to the G6A4.
I forgot to mention the ring, sorry about that. I know that it does in fact bug some guys to death. 
I wouldn’t worry about it falling off either, the few that I’ve removed have felt tighter than the 5 to 10 foot pound installation torque. I’ve always used grease on the threads when installing them as well.
The B.E. Meyers 249F and the White Sound Defense FOSSA-556 are another couple interesting flash suppressors but they both require washers, so I prefer the Vortex.
Frankly I picked the A3 because it was in stock at a decent price. That outlet is sold out of them now.