I recently added a Bulgarian Krinkov 4-piece flash hider to my Arsenal SGL-21. A couple of posters have warned that this set up on a 16" barrel will result in excess pressure on the system and cause premature wear to my rifle. I even see some posters claiming that the 5.56x45 overgasses the AK.
Is this going to be a significant issue for my rifle with this flash hider?
My question to you is: why do you want to use that particular muzzle device?
As a flash hider instead of the stock compensator. I prefer the FH on my AR instead of a compensator as well.
I would like to hear your thoughts.
Have you tested these two side-by-side in low light conditions?
Not yet, plan on testing the stock compensator, the Krinkov 4-piece, and a CNC Warrior Bulgarian bird cage FH.
Yeah, I’d go ahead and compare them if I were you before you commit to the beercan. You might be surprised at the results you get from the standard brake/comp.
Over-gassing the Kalash’? :laugh:
It’s already overgassed all by itself–no need to help!
But in all seriousness, unless you’re having problems with a short barrel setup, no reason to install and use a Bulgy 4-piece FH. Even then, I’d suggest opening the gas port in small increments and testing. I don’t like an entire system to rely around the use of a single muzzle device. YMMV.
What has your experience with these been?
Well, in 5.45x39mm the results with the standard comp/brake are quite acceptable for low light applications. In all honesty I have not evaluated that muzzle device in 7.62x39mm. The Bulgarian 4 pc. muzzle device is a specialty item and is best left on Krinkovs. It is more backpressure increaser with the ability to suppress an enormous fireball than a straight-up flash hider.
Yeah, it’s not meant for the normal length barrels. As has been said, that device was meant to accomplish a combination of flash hiding and as a gas expansion chamber for shorter barreled AK’s a la krinks or 102 / 104 / 105 type weapons (I’ve only seen the four piece on krinks myself). A lot of krinks and other weapons have a flash hider with a similar purpose, but a very different look. Here is a pic.
You may have luck using it, or it may result in you beating the crap out of your rear trunnion from the rifle being over-gassed. In other words, it probably seems to work great right now, but could lead to problems with the longevity of your rifle. Do you notice a distinct difference in recoil impulse from using no muzzle attachment to using that hider? If it kicks harder with the hider, you’re probably over-gassing your gun.
I’d go with this if you really desire a flash hider.
Hope that’s useful,
Sfx
I’ve been looking into one for a SBR build, primarily to reduce concussion/flash from the short barrel. I’ve used the Noveske KX3 on SBR’d ARs to good effect, and I figured the Bulgy krink brake would work on a 12"-bbl AK about like the KX3 does on a 11.5" AR.
Like others have said, it’s not made for a full-length barrel and gas system. It’s designed as a gas-pressure booster more than a flash hider, and you will see some crown erosion over time. Even on SBRs that would need something like this, in the long run you’re better off tuning the gas port and using a standard muzzle device.
There are quite a few good flash hiders for AKs out there that don’t have the unpleasant side-effects that this will.
