Is this a Muzzle Brake or Flash hider?

[AngelDecoys]

Ram-Line Muzzle Brake Ruger Mini-14 Blue.



Just a general question. Midway lists it as a muzzle break but under the Technical Specifications notes it "reduces muzzle flash."

Under CA law, would putting one of these onto a mini 14 make it an AW? My understanding is that IF its a flash hider, the mini 14 becomes an AW. If its a muzzle break, the #count stays under the threshold (Stock is normal).

Thanks.

[45DAVID1]

Looks like a flash hider to me.

[AngelDecoys]

Looks like a flash hider to me.

Thanks David. That's what I'm thinking too. Seems doubtful that LE would be looking at a mini 14 for enforcing the AW law (bigger fish to fry), but that's a whole bag of consequences for an $18 item.

I had trouble finding anything on the DOJ site, (and not knowing the difference beyond basic definitions I thought I'd pose the question). And since Midway does list it as a muzzle break (not a flash hider), really piqued my curiosity.

If the above picture is considered a 'flash hider,' does anyone have a recomendation on a 'CA compliant' muzzle break?

[Charliegone]

Looks like a flashy to me as well.

[Dr Rockso]

Looks like a flash hider to me, too. As far as other brakes go I've seen this one from Yankee Hill for about $30. You can get it with or without the crenelated front, but you'd have to have the barrel threaded to accept it (don't know what that involves with a mini-14).

http://www.yankeehillmachine.com/store/muzzle.html

[SFFRONTMAN]

# Alloy construction
# Brake reduces muzzle flash.

Got that from the product description. It is a flash hider.

[dfletcher]

I believe the big "no no" is not reducing muzzle flash but redirecting muzzle flash away from a shooter's line of sight. Overall reducing the flash seems legally acceptable, no reduction but a redirection would not be legal.

BTW doesn't this: http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/sto...H%20SUPPRESSOR

look alot like item # 2 & 3:

http://www.thecountryshed.com/mini-14_m14_accessories.htm

Wonderful that they make these laws so clear and easy to understand.

[JMB1911]

Long slashes = Flash hider

Holes = Muzzle brake

[ohsmily]

Long slashes = Flash hider

Holes = Muzzle brake

That definition is spurious.

There are muzzle brakes with "slashes" and flash suppressors with "holes" and there are some flash suppressors with neither slashes nor holes (see the old cone flash suppressor on M1 carbines and other guns.

The best definition is whether the muzzle device provides a space where hot gases and unburned powder can combust by essentially being 'carburated" in an unimpeded chamber. In other words, if the exit diameter of the muzzle device is much greater than the diameter of the caliber, it is probably a flash suppressor. If the exit diameter is sized so that it is only big enough to allow the bullet to exit safely, it is probably a muzzle brake. The small hole diameter will expel gases and unburned powder out the front of the gun more than a muzzle device with a large, open space for the gas and powder to burn before exiting the device

[randy]

Here's my non legal opinion of flash hiders.

Flash hiders are fully open on the end no restriction of the exiting gas. Muzzle breaks are only open enough for the bullet to exit the barrel building up gas to be vented out the side and redirect the gas to reduce recoil, other wise they work for crap. See the small hole in Drs picture and the large opening in Angels picture.

Good luck

[AngelDecoys]

Great, and thanks to all. Whether it is, or is not, a lot of people seem to think it is (diameter of opening at end). Reason enough for LE to confiscate it, and/or face consequences. Even a print out from Midway saying 'muzzle break' probably wouldn't stop that.

I swear, understanding CA laws is walking through a mine field. More and more mines every year. I can only imagine some poor guy putting on an $18 item just to potentially become a felon (like putting a paratrooper stock on his grandfather's inherited M1 carbine).

Anyone find something from DOJ that clarifies it?

[JMB1911]

That definition is spurious.

There are muzzle brakes with "slashes" and flash suppressors with "holes" and there are some flash suppressors with neither slashes nor holes (see the old cone flash suppressor on M1 carbines and other guns.

The best definition is whether the muzzle device provides a space where hot gases and unburned powder can combust by essentially being 'carburated" in an unimpeded chamber. In other words, if the exit diameter of the muzzle device is much greater than the diameter of the caliber, it is probably a flash suppressor. If the exit diameter is sized so that it is only big enough to allow the bullet to exit safely, it is probably a muzzle brake. The small hole diameter will expel gases and unburned powder out the front of the gun more than a muzzle device with a large, open space for the gas and powder to burn before exiting the device

That was great, man! Thanks for the clarification.

[ar15barrels]

The big open front end combined with the slots make it a good flash suppressor.
If the front end opening was smaller, like just larger than bullet diameter, it would be a muzzle brake.

[Walking Fire]

Randy is the only who has it right.
A flash hider has an opnening at the front that is the same diameter as the bore to divert the flash.
A muzzle break has a larger opening alowing the gasses to go forward and not be diverted.

Here's my non legal opinion of flash hiders.

Flash hiders are fully open on the end no restriction of the exiting gas. Muzzle breaks are only open enough for the bullet to exit the barrel building up gas to be vented out the side and redirect the gas to reduce recoil, other wise they work for crap. See the small hole in Drs picture and the large opening in Angels picture.

Good luck

[Walking Fire]

http://www.parts4ar15.com/ar-15_accessories/product/BL-21.html

What would you call this?