Purpose of flash suppressor

Dinkyplinker · 03-13-2004, 06:55 PM

Is the primary purpose of the flash suppressor on a military rifle to reduce the visible flash from the perspective of the shooter or limit detection by the enemy? Thanks.

ClarkEMyers · 03-13-2004, 09:30 PM

Tends to do more for the rear view than the front for what it's worth. Although there is a school of night shooting usually with a pistol that says illuminate the scene, often best done with a case full of 296, and then do your shooting - compare night vision before and after.

Dinkyplinker · 03-15-2004, 03:50 PM

Mr Myers, thank you for the answer. By the rear view I believe you mean the shooter? Sadly, the rest of your answer is completely over my head.

ClarkEMyers · 03-15-2004, 06:10 PM

The jungle carbine is of course easily seen in Star Wars movies or google or find a book. The reason I suggest the Jungle Carbine Mk V as an example for visualization is that it has a flash suppressor that looks like somebody stuck a conventional funnel down the barrel. There is no muzzle brake or grenade launcher or wirecutting notch and so to my eye makes it obvious that it does nothing to the front or target end and devotes all of its efforts to shielding the eyes of the shooter with no effort to attenuate or dissipate or anything else.

The rest of it was tongue in cheek. 296 in a magnum revolver is known for producing muzzle flash you can't hide with a bushel basket. I have been known to use such loads when the folks to either side of me were crowding me on indoor ranges. There really is a school that says you might be able to use whatever you might be shooting as a limited purpose illumination flare when the target is close enough to be illuminated - pretty much limits the technique to the traditional 7 yard handgun armed encounter.

Dinkyplinker · 03-16-2004, 03:35 PM

Mr Myers, Thank you again for the reply. I missed the reference to the jungle carbine in the subject line the first time, guess I'd learn if I wants to see-- I should wear my glasses. Felt a little silly seeing a solid funnel shape suppressor again--the things we forget over the years. Interesting about the 296, that was all new to me.

gtho150 · 04-06-2004, 04:40 PM

All I know is that flash suppressors are supposed to supprese the flash, wont totally hide it.
At night and at 2 foot you can bbq with a 30-06.

ProfMoriarty · 04-07-2004, 07:13 PM

The muzzle flash is visible to those on the receiving end of the firearm regardless of the presence or absence of the hider. Its purpose is to diminish the flash to the shooter.

randyrat01 · 12-24-2004, 03:49 PM

Helps reduce flash in drug raids also. ie.. crack houses where there are unstable chemicals all over the place.

Rich S. · 12-25-2004, 10:49 AM

FH are for the purpose of diminishing flash for the shooter, to help alleviate temporary night blindness. Currently the best one out there is the vortex. It eliminates 99% of flash.

Rich

03-13-2004, 06:55 PM	#1
Dinkyplinker Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Omaha Nebraska Posts: 8	Purpose of flash suppressor Is the primary purpose of the flash suppressor on a military rifle to reduce the visible flash from the perspective of the shooter or limit detection by the enemy? Thanks.

03-13-2004, 09:30 PM	#2
ClarkEMyers Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pac West Posts: 260	Take a look at a Jungle Carbine and tell me what you think? Tends to do more for the rear view than the front for what it's worth. Although there is a school of night shooting usually with a pistol that says illuminate the scene, often best done with a case full of 296, and then do your shooting - compare night vision before and after.

03-15-2004, 06:10 PM	#4
ClarkEMyers Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pac West Posts: 260	funny other people tell me same thing less politely The jungle carbine is of course easily seen in Star Wars movies or google or find a book. The reason I suggest the Jungle Carbine Mk V as an example for visualization is that it has a flash suppressor that looks like somebody stuck a conventional funnel down the barrel. There is no muzzle brake or grenade launcher or wirecutting notch and so to my eye makes it obvious that it does nothing to the front or target end and devotes all of its efforts to shielding the eyes of the shooter with no effort to attenuate or dissipate or anything else. The rest of it was tongue in cheek. 296 in a magnum revolver is known for producing muzzle flash you can't hide with a bushel basket. I have been known to use such loads when the folks to either side of me were crowding me on indoor ranges. There really is a school that says you might be able to use whatever you might be shooting as a limited purpose illumination flare when the target is close enough to be illuminated - pretty much limits the technique to the traditional 7 yard handgun armed encounter.

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03-15-2004, 03:50 PM	#3
Dinkyplinker Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Omaha Nebraska Posts: 8	Mr Myers, thank you for the answer. By the rear view I believe you mean the shooter? Sadly, the rest of your answer is completely over my head.

03-16-2004, 03:35 PM	#5
Dinkyplinker Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Omaha Nebraska Posts: 8	Mr Myers, Thank you again for the reply. I missed the reference to the jungle carbine in the subject line the first time, guess I'd learn if I wants to see-- I should wear my glasses. Felt a little silly seeing a solid funnel shape suppressor again--the things we forget over the years. Interesting about the 296, that was all new to me.

04-06-2004, 04:40 PM	#6
gtho150 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 1	All I know is that flash suppressors are supposed to supprese the flash, wont totally hide it. At night and at 2 foot you can bbq with a 30-06.

04-07-2004, 07:13 PM	#7
ProfMoriarty Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 15	The muzzle flash is visible to those on the receiving end of the firearm regardless of the presence or absence of the hider. Its purpose is to diminish the flash to the shooter.

12-24-2004, 03:49 PM	#8
randyrat01 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: northern wisconsin Posts: 9	Helps reduce flash in drug raids also. ie.. crack houses where there are unstable chemicals all over the place.

12-25-2004, 10:49 AM	#9
Rich S. Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: MD Posts: 116	FH are for the purpose of diminishing flash for the shooter, to help alleviate temporary night blindness. Currently the best one out there is the vortex. It eliminates 99% of flash. Rich