Pictures of Flash from A2 on 20" barrel

AR/M4 AR Technical Discussion
1

A while back a user who dealt with a lot of AAC stuff posted pics taken in a dark-box type setup with different FH’s (sorry, forgot user-name and search is wonky). They were always 14.5 or 16" barrels. I was wondering if there are any similar pix detailing the effectiveness (or lack) of the A2 hider on a 20" barrel using M193 and the like?

THANKS!

2

rsilvers posted and took those photos.

I’m not aware of any with a 20 inch barrel. But I can tell you from a practical standpoint that even a 16" barrel with an A2 is barely visible in low light. I’ve sat there and watched a guy shooting in the dark with a 6721, and there’s just a very small amount of flash that comes through the cuts in the hider… Not nearly enough to affect a NOD at all.

I can’t recall ever seeing any flash out of our 20s when we were out at night.

3

Would it be safe to assume that the shorter the barrel, the less effective a flash hider would be at suppressing flash?

4

There are a number of things that will increase or decrease flash:

  • Atmospheric Conditions
  • Barrel Length
  • Type of Ammo
  • Weapon cleanliness (debatable)
5

Don’t forget that Higher quality ammo will have flash suppressant powders as well. This probably makes more difference than barrel length.

Until that day,
Darkop

6

All things equal… Yes. The shorter the barrel, the more unburnt propellant, and thus, the greater the flash.

Flash supression is an overthought requirement by most shooters. In my experience the A2 is plenty good. Even on an 11.5" commando barrel, I’ve never experienced a flash problem that would mess with a NOD. When I fire XM193 with NO FLASH HIDER on my 11.5, I only get a football sized flash.

As far as giving the shooter’s position away, there’s no flash hider that’s going to prevent that from a down range position. If it’s dark and I’m down range from you, I can see the muzzle flash no matter what gizmo you put on the end of the barrel. Your flash signature might be smaller with a Vortex or Blackout, but that little bit of flash behind the bullet will be pronounced in the dark no matter what.

7

I agree with you, but only to an extent. Hunters do not look anything like deer, but wearing red hunting jackets is always advisable.