I’ve known about the Smith Vortex for some time now but just recently discovered the model for the AK series of rifles much to my delight. The standard AKM slant muzzle brake is currently riding on my WASR right now and is completely satisfactory with no issues what so ever.
Now this is were the Need vs Want debate comes in.
I have absolutely no need to hide my flash signature from the Taliban during a CIA op but I enjoy the idea of having minimal flash and a possible mount for a suppressor later on. Currently as a civilian I can’t really justify a flash suppressor since I do not shoot with NVG’s or will encounter a squad of mall ninjas equipped with them. The slant brake does its job well and fulfills what I need making the Vortex more of a +10 accuracy item (Carbine class joke, please don’t bite my head off :ph34r:).
I know that what ever I choose will be for my own reason(s) and mine alone but I am one to never turn away insight and knowledge when people are offering to share so please let me know what you guys would do or share any thoughts or ideas that I may have overlooked or missed completely.
You seem content in what you have already if I may say so myself and I do.
Now if you wanted to use that rifle for HD and have the possibility that you’ll have to use it in the dark regardless of NVGs, a flash supressor might be of use helping you keep you from being flash blinded momentarily. Advantage you.
A sound supressor can be had in a few different mounting solutions, so havign a flash supressor jsut to mount one might not actually be a neccisity, though I gather that a flash supressor does help a sound supressor in some way AFA longevity of the sound supressor.
As long as you’re just bouncing ideas about a muzzle device, how about a closed style brake instead?
Many have very good flash suppressing capability, though being a brake they can cause a pretty serious increase in muzzle blast noise, or if not actual decibels at least the direction it goes and who’s eardrums it works against.
Really though, it does seem like you’re pretty much where you want to be now and are just kinda looking for a possible excuse to give something else a try ‘just because’. Perhaps borrowing a device or shooting someone elses would be more in line with what you’re actually trying to find out as I can see just going out and buying one for the sake of it potentially being more dissapointing than it might be otherwise.
Damn, your completely right. I didn’t even notice but I just did what we try to avoid here on M4C.
For home defense my 226 with a X300 is my Go-To-Gun but I never thought about a flash suppressor being a valuable tool for carbine home defense. Makes sense though since odds are the encounter will be in low-light/no-light.
I know there are better muzzle brakes than the slant but my AK is not a 3 Gun rifle so recoil management is not a mission critical factor. Since the AK is not the best rifle to throw a can on, complete flash suppression is my main goal if I ever change out the slant for something else.
Mods, Admin, and Staff
If you feel like this thread adds nothing to the forward advancement of knowledge here on M4C, please close this thread.
I’d say get a Tapco or CNC Warrior birdcage hider and see what happens. They’re like $15, so it’s not like you’d be wasting a bunch of money. They look good on an AKM, and if you find it performs better, you’re all set. Or, if you like it better even though it isn’t any more effective… you still win. If it turns out you don’t like its looks or performance as well, then you’re out a whopping $15, and you win a third time. It’s just all kinds of win.
I don’t have an AKM, just a 103 and 74, so they both have the compensator/brakes. If I did have an AKM, I’d get a birdcage flash hider. Minimal size, very unobtrusive.
The Primary Weapon Systems FSC47 is worth its weight in gold. Its ok as a flash hider, but it shines as a compensator. JTAC47 is also from PWS is an outstanding comp.
The Vortex is kinda heavy for a FH, but its quite effective. They arent kidding when thry call it a “flash eliminator”.
The “birdcage” I bought from Copes Dist is outstanding for the price, but they need a washer for use on some rifles. Washers are cheap though.
If it turns out you don’t like its looks or performance as well, then you’re out a whopping $15, and you win a third time. It’s just all kinds of win.