DT,
I've never bought a Vortex due to the cost, but have bought a few rifles that had one installed. I googled it, and they're currently $52-60 which seems ridiculous in this age of $400 complete AR-15s.

The reason I posted the info on the Vortex is because the Rook looks like a similar design and the price was very reasonable. I like the fact it looks like it could be used as a bayonet if needed

OK Guys, how do those flash hiders compare to the factory colt one on my AR15 .223 carbine?

RN, which one do you have, the MILITARY or the PM2? The Para 3 is a really sweet smaller (as in sheeple friendly) blade.

Hmmm... I'm now curious what the heck I was thinking of. I THOUGHT Smith had been forced to stop production. Too close to a patent infringement. Maybe they worked it out, or maybe Smith was doing the suing.

The Rook IS a little pointier, though not nearly as bad as some of the $20 tacticool models out there. I'm sure it could split a sternum in a pinch. I suspect most of these thicker 3-4 prong hiders do a decent job, but can only personally speak for the Rook. Much better than the A2 and other hiders I looked at... though if it's much more than $25, I'd think the A2 would meet most people's needs. Not that sexy, but dang effective.

Randy, you can see the flash at night of standing next to it, and MAYBE if you were standing downrange and LOOKING, buy doubtful. Either way it won't blind you at night. The A2 is a solid (ace dirt cheap) device. There's a reason the military uses it.

I should REALLY finish and post my test.... it's all about devices under $50.

The A2 is pretty effective as a flash suppressor and compensator.

I was in a multi-day carbine class once where everyone except me (and one other fool) were using AR-15s. Nearly all of those AR's had A2's on them.

On the second day of training the ground had been pounded into a fine powder. During the prone exercises, every time I fired my AK-101 (5.56 version of a AK-74) that AK-74 brake kicked up so much dust I couldn't see the target for a good moment between shots. Then the wind changed and started blowing the dust in my face. It combined with my sweat to create several rivulets of mud running into my eyes.

The guys on either side of me were shooting ARs with A2 compensators and were not kicking up much dust.

As most military fire comes from a prone position ... the A2 is a good compromise between reducing muzzle flash and keeping debris out of your FOV.

Here are some general observations about "muzzle devices" ...

1) Dedicated "muzzle brakes" seem to intensify muzzle flash. This isn't actually the case, but instead of a "linear" fire ball shooting down range, MBs tend to cause the flash to be more "spherical" about the muzzle device. That is to say, they tend to be more in your FOV.

2) "Three Prong" dedicated flash suppressors are the usually the best design. The M16 originally had a 3-prong. The government closed the end to prevent getting the muzzle stuck in vegetation and to stop GI's from using the prongs as a leverage while prying with their rifles. As mentioned before, the Smith Vortex is the most effective device I've used.

NOTE ON SMITH VORTEX: The Vortex is "tuned". That is to say, if you "flick" one of the three prongs it will sing like a tuning fork. It is my unsubstantiated belief that this "effect" disrupts the flash through some sort of sonic fairy-dust magic.

3) Combined "flash suppressor / compensators" range from "I suck at both" to "I'm pretty okay at both" but are never "great" at both. The A2 is good at both.

4) Muzzle devices range from about $5 to $300. Yes, $300. The over rated KAC MAMs is $302.35.

https://shop.knightarmco.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=KM30168

The most I've personally spent was about $125 during the $1500 Colt AR days. In today's weird depressed gun market I wouldn't spend more than $25-35 unless I needed a specialized muzzle device for sound-suppressor mounting.

Most of the "high end" devices I've owned came on a gun or upper that I bought. That typical situation where all of the custom parts you've added to a gun or upper are basically worthless on the resale market so the next guy benefits. I've been the beneficiary several times and the guy on the losing end countless times.

5) Some other devices that I have personal positive experience:

A2 ... $5 and works.

BCM Gunfighter MOD 0 Compensator ... this actually manages to work like a FH and Compensator. It should work because its basically a slightly modified A2 and costs $90!

BCM Gunfighter MOD 1 Comp ... this is an elongated MOD 0. Works better and costs more.

KAC NT4 ... this is basially a tuned A2 that costs $128 but allows you to quick connect a dedicated sound suppressor

Phantom A2 (first generation with the scalloped end ... second generation sucked) ... at $20-25 (nowadays) this is a nice "inexpensive" MD.

See, the above post is exactly why I am such a fan of your posts. You are just full of it (Oh sorry, meant to say Useful information). All joking aside, I really do enjoy reading your posts and have benefited more than once from them.

You CAN speak from actual real world experience and your knowledge proves you take things seriously and do your research. And THAT benefits all us lowly uneducated Dagws (except for DT. DT does pretty good as well, and Gun dog. He's an up and comer as well). I appreciate and enjoy you guys posts.

After tonight, I hope it's the eRATicator for me.

Got er' done!

Not bought it yet, BUT planning on getting a CRKT Kangee T-Hawk for my Birthday. Nope, don't need it but think it looks cool. That should be enough.

Sent payment on Monday for a Wilson Combat Vickers Elite.