I’m not going to lie. Before I completed this test, I thought the AAC Blackout was all hype.
I thought AAC had engaged in shady marketing practices in order to show that their flash suppressor was superior to the competition, namely, the Smith Enterprises Vortex. I figured that I’d be spending $50 to pick up a Blackout and that I’d lose $10 reselling it after I did the comparison (maybe more than $10, if I said really bad things about it).
I was wrong.
Now, if you’ve seen my previous video comparing flash suppressors (or someone else’s comparison of popular muzzle devices), you know that the Vortex was the most effective, eliminating nearly all visible flash. So it’s not as if the Blackout could improve on the Vortex by a great amount – it’s not as if the Blackout could create a black hole or anything. But what the Blackout could do – and, in my limited testing, did do – was eliminate what tiny bit of flash the Vortex couldn’t.
Here’s today’s video. I start out with the A2 flash suppressor to establish a baseline for comparison. The weapon used is a Spike’s Tactical M4 LE, a 16″ barrel AR-15 with a carbine length gas system. The ammunition used is Federal XM193F, which is, I feel, a fairly common round.
I haven’t sat down at the bench to determine if either device has an effect on accuracy, but if you’re looking for a muzzle device that eliminates as much flash as possible, I recommend that you strongly consider the AAC Blackout.
Note – I apologize for the poor quality of the night vision video compared to the previous test. I think my video camera may have been damaged during a recent outing, and it’s not taking video as clearly as it used to, especially in low light. My view through the PVS-14 was perfect, but the camera couldn’t keep up.
You’ve really stepped up generating content as of late, good job and keep it up!
On a side note: if you use the suppressor mount version of the Blackout, eventual carbon build up on the device from use with a can eliminates the tuning fork ring. I used to obsessively clean the blackout after use with a can, but now I just leave the carbon on.
Does the Vortex have an obvious ring too? It didn’t in the older video, nor in any of the SEI vids, but it did a little in this vid. The only Vortex I heard in person a few years ago was in 308, I don’t recall it ringing.
If not a permanent pinned setup I think that the helical twist of the Vortex is a definite advantage especially with high round count/matches/full auto.
The only time I hear the ring from my Vortex in when I send the bolt home on an empty chamber. I havn’t noticed it while shooting. I suppose that its concealed by the BANG!
great vid, 87GN! the blackout definitely has a ‘tuning fork’ ring to it, especially when shooting. i just swapped a blackout out for a brakeout, but haven’t shot it yet. no ring when closing the bolt, though. there was on the blackout.
How difficult is it to switch out flash hiders on one’s own? I don’t have any tools for doing so and I’m curious if it would be cheaper to pay a gunsmith to do it or if it’s something I can do on my own. I’d be replacing the Smith Vortex with the Blackout.
No worries, I’m happy to answer your questions. If I gave you bad advice about the install, someone will probably correct me. Although I have the appropriate tools, that’s how I installed the Blackout, and it seems to be staying on quite well.
Yep, the Vortex is a great flash suppressor. The Blackout is the best flash suppressor. Or at worst tied for the best. Since I’ve never seen a weapon with a BE Meyers flash suppressor shoot, I can’t say if their design bests the Blackout.
