Flash hider vs. Muzzle brake

[mi4]

I am kinda confused by flash hider vs muzzle brake. Is the main difference the diameter of internal cavity? If I don't want to register my centerfire rifle with pistol grips next year, to convert them to featureless, besides installing pistol wraps, pinning the telescope stocks or folders, removing vertical grips, should I also make sure all the muzzle devices are muzzle brakes, not flash hiders? will appreciate any advice.

[ahero4eternity]

A flash hider is exactly that - it hides the flash that results from unburnt powder.

A muzzle break helps to reduce recoil.

[dadler]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1226260

[Barang]

Scroll down to the bottom.

http://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf

[Predator]

Switch to muzzle BRAKE, or thread protector

[mi4]

Switch to muzzle BRAKE, or thread protector

No way to replace a pinned and welded flash hider, right?

[spfabrication]

No way to replace a pinned and welded flash hider, right?

Yes. Remove weld using mill, drill or grinder then smack pin out , and unscrew FH.

[Himalaya2001]

You can have a trustworthy gunsmith remove a pinned and welded flash hider, and pin and weld a new muzzle brake (make sure it is a pure muzzle brake, no flash hiding capacity in marketing etc) for you, or you can go the maglock path...

[Himalaya2001]

This assumes you had a 14.5 inch barrel to start with. If you have a 16 or plus barrel and somehow with a pinned and welded flash hider, you do not need to pin and weld the new muzzle brake...

[Crazed_SS]

I am kinda confused by flash hider vs muzzle brake. Is the main difference the diameter of internal cavity? If I don't want to register my centerfire rifle with pistol grips next year, to convert them to featureless, besides installing pistol wraps, pinning the telescope stocks or folders, removing vertical grips, should I also make sure all the muzzle devices are muzzle brakes, not flash hiders? will appreciate any advice.

The guidance here has been to make sure muzzle brakes are muzzle brakes, are sold and marketed as muzzle brakes, and also do not advertise any flash-hiding properties.

For example, I just converted my saiga to a BB build and used this muzzle brake..

http://www.jlbillet.com/5-56-223-cal-v-p-r-muzzle-brake/

Notice the description says, "Our V.P.R. muzzle brakes are designed with varying degree port angles to redirect the gases out and up to reduce felt recoil as well as reduce the flash signature"

Would be a bad idea to use this brake on a featureless build.