Flash Hider - Muzzle Break - Compensator Question

[icenix]

Okay, I know....these are going to be such newb questions ....I have had my AR for years, but my upper came with an A2 and I have never changed it, and thus bnever worried about this before, so I have to admit I know little about flash hiders/muzzle breaks/compensators and I have a couple of questions. Thanks in advance!

1) Are muzzle breaks and compensators the same thing?

2) Californians can just no longer have flash hiders, so muzzle breaks/compensators are what we have to go with, correct?

3) How do you tell the difference between a flash hider and a muzzle break/compensator when looking at them?

4) Lastly, any recommendations on a good replacement for my A2 that isn't crap performance wise, but is under $125?

[randomthought]

1. Comps I think are designed to counter muzzle rise, while brakes are designed to counter recoil. Direction the gasses are redirected pretty much.

2. You can have flash hiders if you go fixed mag, just can't have them on featureless centerfire semi auto rifles.

3. Brake will have multiple chambers to contain and redirect gas with the exit hole roughly the same size as the bullet. Flash hider will have horizontal cuts and have an exit hole much larger than the projectile.

4. http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...vice-shootout/ Good review of various devices. TTAG also has a muzzle brake review.

I am not expert. Others should add more info that are better qualified than me.

[HibikiR]

One thing to know is that the muzzle device can't be advertised as having flash hiding capabilities.

Take the BCM compensator: it has an exit hole that's nearly the same diameter as the projectile, but due to overzealous advertising it counts as a flash hider in California.

One replacement for an A2 is this: https://aimsportsinc.com/default/cal...zle-brake.html

[Mayor McRifle]

1) Are muzzle breaks and compensators the same thing?

2) Californians can just no longer have flash hiders, so muzzle breaks/compensators are what we have to go with, correct?

3) How do you tell the difference between a flash hider and a muzzle break/compensator when looking at them?

4) Lastly, any recommendations on a good replacement for my A2 that isn't crap performance wise, but is under $125?

[Sambodian]

See below

1. No, compensators are usually smaller holes all around. Muzzle will have side slots and smaller cavity. Flash hider has straight slots and larger cavity.
Avoid A2 Flash or Muzzle at all cost.

2. Flashhider
Featureless, No
Fixed Mag, YES

3. See answer 1

4. Lantec is good for a more expensive one. Budget and fair muzzle would be YHM.

Okay, I know....these are going to be such newb questions ....I have had my AR for years, but my upper came with an A2 and I have never changed it, and thus bnever worried about this before, so I have to admit I know little about flash hiders/muzzle breaks/compensators and I have a couple of questions. Thanks in advance!

1) Are muzzle breaks and compensators the same thing?

2) Californians can just no longer have flash hiders, so muzzle breaks/compensators are what we have to go with, correct?

3) How do you tell the difference between a flash hider and a muzzle break/compensator when looking at them?

4) Lastly, any recommendations on a good replacement for my A2 that isn't crap performance wise, but is under $125?

[prc77]

Not a budget buster,,, and very effective

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/muzzle-devices/compensators-amp-muzzle-brakes/ar-15-miculek-compensator-22-caliber-prod5573.aspx

[Pupulepeter]

[icenix]

Thanks for the responses. I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos on these things and it seems like the SJC Titan is a really good one and I see no sign of flash hiding, but maybe I am wrong? Will this be California legal?

http://stores.sjcguns.com/lund-sjc-223-titan-compensator/

[sMp]

Check out the phase 5 fatman. Works wonders, especially good at pissing off everyone who is not directly behind the shooter.

[Wombats Are Dangerous]

Thanks for the responses. I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos on these things and it seems like the SJC Titan is a really good one and I see no sign of flash hiding, but maybe I am wrong? Will this be California legal?

http://stores.sjcguns.com/lund-sjc-2...n-compensator/

There really aren't any guarantees. Check all the marketing language from the packaging, online product descriptions, catalogs, and advertising to make sure they don't advertise any flash hiding/suppressing qualities. That, as far as we know, is the first step in DoJ's smell test.

I'm sure someone will come along to correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think DoJ has ever done any testing beyond that first step.

[Mayor McRifle]

There really aren't any guarantees. Check all the marketing language from the packaging, online product descriptions, catalogs, and advertising to make sure they don't advertise any flash hiding/suppressing qualities. That, as far as we know, is the first step in DoJ's smell test.

I'm sure someone will come along to correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think DoJ has ever done any testing beyond that first step.

When has the DOJ even taken that first step?

[Wombats Are Dangerous]

When has the DOJ even taken that first step?

I can't really answer that question. The only insight into the DoJ process that I'm aware of is from Hunt v. Lockyer. I'm just paraphrasing from documents from that case.

[BigPimping]

Just use thread protectors and you're good.