When it comes to AR-15s, there are a number of great muzzle devices out there, especially if you’re into shooting sports like 3-Gun competitions, where big compensators and muzzle brakes are the names of the game.
It seems, though, there’s one category that’s often overlooked.
A humble flash hider is a frequently-ignored option that really shines in the right situations—particularly on a short barrel or for night-time use.
Many folks don’t realize just how blinding and disorienting a muzzle flash can be in low-light scenarios.
This is especially an issue in a number of scenarios, such as hunting close to dark (or after dark, when legal), keeping the flash from your weapon low for stealth, or shooting in a competition that runs late in the day.
Even if none of the above apply, but you just want something that looks a bit better on the end of your rifle than the factory flash hider, I recommend picking up an aftermarket flash hider.
We’ll go over how exactly these flash hiders work, how to choose a new one, and some of the best ones out there.
So keep reading if you’ve ever pondered whether one of these is worth the cash…
THE QUICK LIST
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Best Budget Flash Hider
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Best Closed-Tine Flash Hider
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Best for Suppressors
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Best Minimalist Flash Hider
Griffin Armament Taper Mount Minimalist Stealth Flash Suppressor
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Best Combo Device
Table of Contents
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Why you Should Trust us
As a Marine Corps veteran, I’ve spent my fair share of time behind guns, including the AR platform. I also am an NRA-certified instructor and concealed carry trainer in the state of Florida.
Being a long-time writer in the gun world, I’ve thoroughly tested everything from lights, sights, slings, barrels, guns, and just about anything else — including muzzle devices.
Best Closed-Tine Flash Hiders
1. The Classic A2 Flash Hider
It might not be sexy and fancy as a lot of the flash suppressors on this list, but the A2 birdcage has passed the test of time for a reason.
It works and it works well. Over the last few decades, the United States military has proven the A2 design to be a functional choice.
The prongs at the top break up the unburned powder. They do a great job at dimming flash, especially from M4 and M16 length barrels.
On shorter guns, it might lack some pizzazz but will still reduce the flash enough to help preserve your natural night vision.
Beyond great flash suppression, the design also functions as a compensator. It keeps the barrel on target as you rapidly fire the weapon.
The open-top and closed-bottom ensure it works rather well. That closed bottom also prevents the design from blasting gas downward.
A side benefit of this is that it doesn’t kick up dust when firing in the prone — it keeps things nice and comfy for low-prone shooting positions.
The A2 is the best budget choice for shooters looking to build a quality, budget rifle.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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2. Rainier Arms FHV2 Flash Hider
As gun owners, we should prioritize function over style.
But what if something is both functional and stylish? Well, if that’s acceptable, check out the Rainier Arms FHV2 Flash Hider. The helical design adds a twist to the flash hider and gives it a stylish but very effective design.
Ports twist and spin but do a fantastic job of catching and disbursing burning gas and gunpowder and nearly eliminating muzzle flash.
These helical ports align perfectly with the rifling of Rainier Arms 1:8 barrel.
According to Rainier Arms, when the 1:8 barrel and FHV2 combine forces, the flash suppression is cut even more.
A helical design is a lot like a fluted barrel. It disburses heat effectively as well as suppressing and redirecting flash.
Plus, the machining looks fantastic. Rainier Arms went extra on this design.
It combines a stylish helical design with an effective flash hider. The bottom of the flash suppressor has a port to allow it to be pinned and welded if necessary.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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3. Seekins Precision Nest Flash Hider
Seekins Precision took the traditional 3-prong muzzle device and did something new with it.
Instead of using an open tine design, Seekins Precision closed it up but kept the core of the design.
As a flash suppressor, the close-tine design ensures durability is maxed out.
Outside of closing the tines, they also slanted the ports. As we know, the slight slant does a great job of disbursing flash and breaking up the escaping gas and flash.
That flash is almost completely eliminated and is well disbursed.
Seekins machined the Nest from steel and uses a melonite coating that makes this a hard-use, long-life item. It’s beefy and can take some serious abuse.
This flash hider also looks rather nice. I won’t lie, the non-symmetrical design gives the Nest a satisfying appearance and also eliminates the need for timing or a crush washer.
It doesn’t need to be aligned in a specific manner to function. Toss it on and forget about it.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Best Pronged Flash Hiders
4. SureFire SOCOM 4-Prong Flash Hider
While the general military went with and stuck with the A2 birdcage, the American Special Operations Command went with SureFire.
Specifically, the SOCOM 4-Prong Flash Hider doubles as a suppressor QD point, but more on that later.
The four-prong design isn’t new, and the open-tine design is a classic flash suppressor style. It’s been proven to work well, but the open prongs can be fragile for field use.
SureFire wisely decided to reinforce the prongs to keep them from being bent and thus useless.
A DLC finish and the use of heat-treated stainless steel ensure it is a rugged and durable design. This flash hider is made for serious use, and its service in the GWOT proved it capable.
The SOCOM 4-Prong Flash Hider’s classic design works and works very well.
Flash is dashed and eliminated by the four prongs and the length of the prongs helps with shorter-than-average barrels.
The prongs can’t hold a tune, but they power through and break up burning gas and gunpowder.
If you plan to use a suppressor, the SOCOM flash hider makes it easy to attach.
If you rock and roll with a quick attach SOCOM suppressor, then this flash hider makes it easy to attach and detach.
The real downside to the SOCOM flash suppressor is the 2.6-inch length, although when pinned and welded, it keeps a 14.5-inch barrel from making an SBR.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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5. Griffin Armament Taper Mount Minimalist Stealth Flash Suppressor
Griffin Armament does a fantastic job of creating minimalist muzzle devices.
From their Mini Comp to the Minimalist Stealth flash suppressor, Griffin Armament does a great job of keeping things small and effective.
The Taper Mount Minimalist Stealth Flash Suppressor gives you a short, lightweight flash suppressor.
The overall length is only 1.8 inches, and the flash suppressor weighs 2.9 ounces. That’s about 40% lighter than most competitive flash suppressors.
Also, if you want a Griffin Armament suppressor, this flash suppressor acts as a mounting platform with threading near the rear of the device.
This open-tine design uses three stubby prongs to catch and disburse all that unburned gunpowder that predictably turns to flash.
Griffin Armament made sure the prongs are nice and wide. They’re also reinforced to avoid accidental damage.
As you’d expect, this minimalist design doesn’t drastically reduce flash and isn’t as effective as full-sized flash suppressors.
However, for those wanting to keep things light and short, the Minimalist Stealth flash suppressor has your name written all over it.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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What do you think of the Surefire SOCOM? Give it a rating below!
6. Brownells XM16E1 3 Prong Flash Hider
Are you building a retro AR-15? Or maybe you just appreciate the retro look; whatever the reason, Brownells has your back.
Their reproduction XM16E1 3-Prong Flash Hider gives you an old-school look without the old-school problems.
Back in the day, the original three-prong flash hider was prone to bending, breaking, and doing lame stuff like that.
This led to its eventual replacement. It also eventually led to Brownells solving the problem without sacrificing the retro look.
Brownells reinforced the prongs to ensure your “duckbill” flash hider will maintain its rigidity and strength.
The classic 3-prong design has always done a great job of disbursing flash, and the design still works to this day.
Does it work as well as more modern designs with decades of knowledge and improvements in firearm technology?
No, not necessarily. However, it does maintain that classic look and is rather short and lightweight.
You won’t be adding an excessive amount of length to your gun.
The biggest downside to the classic 3-prong design is that it has no wrench flats. You’ll need to find a three-prong wrench to attach it.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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7. Precision Armament EFAB Hybrid Muzzle Device
Speaking of decades of improvement and technology information improvements…the Precision Armament EFAB Hybrid Muzzle Device brings you a high-tech flash suppressor.
Well, it’s as high-tech as a piece of steel attached to your rifle barrel can be.
EFAB stands for Enhanced Flash Arresting Brake and it’s perhaps the fanciest way to say “flash suppressor.”
The EFAB does more than block flash, though. Precision Armament found a way to mix flash suppression with a muzzle brake.
Typically, a brake creates more flash and increases your control over your weapon.
Reducing recoil and flash is a noble goal, and the EFAB accomplishes both. Does it do both as well as a single dedicated device? Well…kind of.
It reduces flash as well as any modern device, but as a break, it’s not the very best. To me, that’s excusable since it’s pulling double duty.
As a bonus, it’s long enough to pin and weld to make a 14.5-inch barrel into a 16-inch barrel.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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8. B.E. Meyers 249F
Last but not least is the B.E. Meyers 249F.
This legendary flash suppressor comes last on the list. Why?
B.E. Meyers discontinued the 249F, and even before, they made them as hard as possible for the average shooter to purchase.
On the aftermarket, they run for several hundred dollars.
The 249F was evaluated by the U.S. Army and found to reduce 96% of visible muzzle flash and was given the highest score during testing – the more flash “arrested,” the better, right?
Well, if you despise flash the way I despise the last Star Wars movie, then the 249F is for you.
The 4-prong design provides excellent flash suppression, and those prongs are reinforced to resist damage.
The grooves on the prongs don’t just provide a stylish touch. They also reduce weight without sacrificing durability.
As the name implies, this flash suppressor is designed for the M249 — a light machine gun. As such, it’s tasked with reducing far more flash than a rifle and dealing with a higher firing rate, along with the heat that brings.
It’s rather long at 2.75 inches but light at 2.5 ounces. Sadly, it’s tough to find.
When you can find one expect to pay a premium for it.
How Do Flash Hiders Work?
When we fire a gun, propellant inside the cartridge is transformed into energy and used to propel a projectile.
This has the secondary effect of producing a flash of super-hot gasses and unburnt powder out of the end of the barrel.
A flash like this is especially evident in something like a short-barreled rifle, a shotgun, or an AR pistol.
With these weapons, less powder is burnt before the bullet exits the barrel. This produces an expanding cloud of powder leaving the barrel along with the bullet.
This unburnt powder creates a brilliant flash of light that can blind the shooter and can make stealth in such a situation an even more difficult proposition.
First, you’re going to clearly give away your position even more than you would with the sound of the shot alone. That giant fireball tells the bad guy just where to empty a mag.
If you’re shooting at night without a good flash hider, you’ll be seeing stars for minutes afterward.
God help you if you’re doing something like action shooting sports where you’re ripping through mags. You’ll find yourself wondering why you thought it was a good idea to do this in the first place.
Enter the humble flash hider — here to spare your corneas and save the day.
These devices work by quickly dissipating the expanding gases, cooling them, and dispersing or containing the unburnt powder.
They do this by using prongs to cool the gases and unburnt powder and shunt them away from the end of the barrel.
This allows them to cool further and keeps them from igniting in the great big fireball you’d have otherwise.
What you’re left with isn’t a totally invisible flash, but the results will be remarkably better than a bare barrel.
Some of the best flash hiders also double as compensators or muzzle brakes, so you’ll be getting a little better performance in the recoil department as well.
Final Thoughts
Flash hiders serve a multitude of roles, from protecting your eyes to protecting your position.
While there’s plenty on the market to choose from, we’ve brought some of our favorites for you to consider.
What do you think of these flash hiders? Got another one I should try next? Let me know in the comments below! Looking for some recoil taming or reduced reticle movement? Check out our Best Muzzle Brakes & Compensators.
28 Leave a Reply
Travis, I'd like to see a serious review of the various SME's (Sound Mitigation Equipment/Devices) on the market.
As on of those that finds the $200 "Mother May I" Tax Stamp as Unconstitutional and refuses to pay for Infringement of my Rights, buying/building a Suppressor is a no go.
Do SME's work? How much reduction can I expect? Do they interfere with Flash Hiding? Are the worth the expense?
Just those kinds of general questions.
Thank you in advance.
December 2, 2019 (Redmond, WA) – B.E. Meyers & Co. is proud to announce that following an agreement of sale, they have transferred the utility patents for their highly successful line of patented, expansion groove model flash hiders (ie. 249F, 249F-EU, 240F, 240F-EU, and 240F-M60) to JP Enterprises, a custom rifle manufacturer in Hugo, Minnesota.
Copied From BE Meyers and Co. website.
You can buy the updated BE Meyers flash-hider design as part number JPFH-762L and JPFH-556L over at JP Enterprises.
From what I am gathering haven fallen down the rabbit hole of reloading, unburnt powder exiting the muzzle is a serious mistake. It's been mentioned more than once reading about powder and its combustion that its almost finished before it even hits the gas port. Considering that pistol gas is about the shortest - that's about an 8" barrel.
Now add another ingredient to the powder, an anti flash suppressant. Military powder is largely bid in huge bulk shipments and the military uses it that way - especially artillery, tanks, and Navy guns. Since it's also low bid, if there is some superheated gas and particles - not burning, but hot from combustion - then that is what is exiting. Adding flash suppressant tends to reduce those particles plus has less filler - less residue exiting the muzzle.
One example is the 70 grain SDM round, which is also a favorite for boarding parties and certain small units equipped with 11" barrelled "M16's". It's been noted for far less flash and yet to work with both a 20" and 11", the recipe has to function either way. The 11" shows it's not spitting out flaming globs of powder.
Overall? Moot point, there IS flash and it can be bright - depending on powder composition. While near night photos are certainly exciting to watch, choice of ammo can certainly reduce flash.
What we need as a followup are the new normal - flash cans, which are literally no vents or prongs, and often, a cone. While styled on the exterior as a constant diameter, inside they taper outward. Some slip over a prong flash hider which should get our heads scratching - and for the most part, not tickle our ears so much. Side ports and vents direct sound back toward the shooters ear, something missing a bit from the conversation - if there could be any on that firing line. Flash cans (and linears) divert all the gas and sound forward, which is measurably better. Considering the relatively minor recoil of 5.56, muzzle devices which control rise are really low return items for the cost - a target or competition aid to those who can enjoy a few split seconds quicker followup.
Back in 2020 or so B.E.Meyers sold the rights for this particular flash hider to Lantac cause the manufactured a similar product. It went to court but they came to this agreement. As soon as Lantac got that patten, they STOPPED production of the 249F. I opened one from another distributor for about $160 but sadly I no longer have the item. So basically the 249F B.E. Meyers flash hider is NO LONGER in production and has been discontinued.
I'm surprised the Smith Enterprise Vortex isn't on this list. Has a few variants, but basic design is the same with helical tines. Considered by most to be the most effective made. Made for several calibers including .308/.300 in addition to the 5.56mm
They are great, patented and used on military small arms and crew served weapons. The recent .223 tests with high speed photography, in total darkness, I’ve seen show only a couple that are nearly imperceptibly “better” than the old tried and true Vortex.
Wow, no Phantom or Smith Vortex on the list. Tells me this is not a serious article.
I'm just as dismayed - especially about the Smith Enterprise Vortex.
why is it that Flash hiders and other muzzle devices cost so much with the exception of am A2 Birdcage or A2 3 prong. anything else is ridiculously over priced and most dont even work as advertised. I guess I am just a poor and am just ranting. please don't get me started on the cost of aftermarket charging handles and a drop in trigger.
Cost drops with volume of production.
Neatly every AR has an A2.
Say 25% of this number is shared among the after market group.
Sadly this article does not really evaluate the various suppressors.
The way to do that is to photograph them at night and compare the fireball.
Also the recoil impulse and dB level .
My favorite has been YHM Low Profile Phantom® Flash Hider 5.56mm (1/2"-28 Thread)
YHM-24-A. Gives 14.5" length needed when pinned and welded to make legal 16" for non SBR. Barrel nut will fit over it so no need to break weld.
My choice of Flash hider for my 16 and 18" builds is the Forward Controls Design(FCD) 6315. They took a good thing (A2 bird cage) and made it better. This state doesn't allow SBR's or suppressors otherwise I might be looking at FCD other choices.
"December 2, 2019 (Redmond, WA) – B.E. Meyers & Co. is proud to announce that following an agreement of sale, they have transferred the utility patents for their highly successful line of patented, expansion groove model flash hiders (ie. 249F, 249F-EU, 240F, 240F-EU, and 240F-M60) to JP Enterprises, a custom rifle manufacturer in Hugo, Minnesota. "
bemeyers. com/blog/news/b.e.-meyers-and-co.-sells-flash-hider-patents-to-jp-enterprises
Find the B.E. Meyers 249F at J.P. Enterprise's website under title JPFH-556L. Very affordable now at $60 at the time of posting this comment.
jprifles. com/buy.php?item=JPFH-556L
They seem to have added a very weird shroud to the original design.
ditto
I prefer a suppressor as my muzzle device!
ditto
precision armament EFAB does it all...also drilled 2, 1/4 inch holes on top...now helps reduce muzzle rise...just a thought...works great on .22lr pistols also...
I purchased a stealth 3 prong Ti flash hider with exterior threads and when fired on a JL Billet 308 w/20" barrel. A pronounced long tuning fork like tone is generated by the 3 prong. This would be a worse giveaway of shooter's position than any flash. Any others having same experience?
Never mind the loud bang that just came from there, definitely the small whine coming from that direction, mostly from the shooter.
In defense of the inexpensive and ubiquitous A2 flash suppressor, I will say that it's an outstandingly effective flash suppressor, and the closed bottom means it doesn't kick up as much dust when you're firing from the prone position. That's what it was designed to do. It's such a good flash suppressor that in most tests it edges out every hybrid design--for pure flash suppression, at least--and the only pure flash suppressors that work better are the pronged designs, which are often criticized for fragility and a tendency to pick up vegetation in field use. Is it a good muzzle brake? No. That wasn't a design criterion.
For devices that do both well? Strike Industries makes a copy of the muzzle device on the Japanese Type 1989 5.56mm rifle which they call the J-Comp. It is a very good flash suppressor--not as good as the A2, or any of the pronged units, but very good--and it has side and top vents to reduce recoil and muzzle rise also, and it softens recoil noticeably compared to an A2. It's not a gamer comp, but it works. I will say I haven't tried a lot of these other devices.
Your own muzzle flash does not blind you at night. It can obviously give your position away though. Which is....bad.
The JP flash hider is still available. I just bought one from them a couple of weeks ago off their website. CDNN also has the AAC non suppressor mount flash hider on sale right now for $19.95. The AAC is almost as good as the JP but at 1/3rd the cost. Check out the flash hider shootout's on you tube.
B. E. Meyers sued JP Enterprises way back in 2015 for patent infringement. JP settled and pulled their flash hider from the market, but some can still be found for sale at various internet retailers. On the other hand, B. E. Meyers appears to have pulled its product off the retail market entirely and sells only LE and military purchasers. The current B. E. Meyers product has four prongs instead of three, similar to the SureFire SF4P four-prong Flash Hider, which is also sold to LE and military. Why do companies do that (restrict sales of such mundane items as flash hiders to LE and military)?
This is the best blog I have seen after
Didn't the jp get shit canned for infringement on another design?
Glass breakers on muzzle devices. Necessary for when a standoff has occurred and use of force continuum has dictated that deadly force is authorized but every attempt is being made not to use it with the caveat of glass in-between you and perpetrator.
There are only 2 flash supressor designs. The bar flash supressor and the conical flash hider. All of these examples are different cosmetic takes on the bar flash supressor (which is generally more effective than the conical style).
Why is the jp flash hider the most effective? Its length. The longer the horizontal bars are, the more effective the suppressor is. Smith enterpirse's "vortex" is just a slightly modified M14 flash supressor- which itself was highly effective because of its length. With the birdcage, it was a compromise between effectiveness and size. If you make it longer- as all these companies have done- it will be more effective.
Save your money and get whichever is cheapest at the size you want. Everything else is aesthetics.
For a conical example, look at the m1 carbine or lee enfield jungle carbine flash supressors.
Strike industries Venom Flash hider