Finding the best AR-15 flash hider might be a challenge. But if you know exactly what youโre looking for, the search process gets a little easier.
You want something that will minimize the flash and reduce a considerable amount of recoil at the same time. As part of your search, weโve decided to compile a list of five of the best AR-15 flash hiders currently being sold on the market.
Before we unveil our list, weโll be giving you an explanation on what a flash hider is and what it actually does. Weโll also give you a brief guide on how to choose a flash hider for your own AR-15 rifle.
Comparison Chart of the Best AR-15 Flash Hiders
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What is a Flash Hider and How Do They Work?
The purpose of a flash hider is to reroute the gasses that cause the AR-15 rifle to โflashโ while firing your shots. This is one of the best tools to have if youโre looking to eliminate any chance of exposure, especially in low light or complete darkness.
They are also designed to prevent night blindness, which can be caused by rifle flash. A flash hider will take the gasses and unburnt powder that causes these flashes and reroutes them safely and prevents blowback.
Although most of the gunpowder used these days is flashless propellant, but a flash becomes more and more common as the barrel starts collecting grime over time.
What Makes a Great Flash Hider?
Knowing what separates a great flash hider from one that is considered low-quality and crappy is important, especially when youโre looking for a flash hider for your own AR-15 rifle.
If youโre a first-time buyer, it would be wise for you to refer to this list while youโre shopping for your own flash hider. The following list is based on aspects past buyers and owners have taken into consideration:
Material
Gun manufacturers hold quality to the highest of standards, especially in the U.S.A., where most manufacturers place strict guidelines to ensure that guns and accessories are top quality and long-lasting for their customers. The material that is mostly used for these flash hiders is steel. Steel is designed to wear down less and will also take on all kinds of abuse, especially when itโs dealing with multiple rounds of gunfire.
Price
As a budget shopper, sometimes a great flash hider might come in the form of an affordable price tag. While it should not be the only deciding factor, most affordable flash hiders are actually great in quality. As a rule of thumb, if youโre on a budget, you should invest in the best flash hider you can possibly afford. Especially one that will last you years or even decades.
Installation
Most AR-15 rifle owners do not have any expert level gunsmithing skills. As we have hand-picked these flash hiders for our review list, we made sure that they were drop-in style flash hiders. These will require the right kind of tools for a smooth, problem-free installation. Most flash hiders take minutes to install and will be ready to go later that same day.
Review of the Best AR-15 Flash Hiders
Below are the best AR-15 flash hiders currently on the market. As you look through all of them carefully, be sure to take notes on what features or functions interest you the most. Also, pay attention to any of the pros and cons so you know exactly what to expect should you choose a specific flash hider.
Now, letโs begin this list by unveiling our โbest overallโ choice:
Best Overall:
PSA A2 Flash Hider
Pros
Cons
First on the docket, weโll be taking a look at the PSA A2 Flash Hider. If youโre looking for a flash suppressor that will best fit your AR-15 rifle, then this might be it. This also has the ability to fit other rifles like your M16s or M4s.
This is made from high-quality materials, making it impervious to any damage and can handle multiple rounds. Through tens, hundreds, even thousands of rounds, this little unit will be able to handle it.
This product will reroute any gas or unburned powder and suppress any flash, which is perfect if youโre looking to stay hidden in some situations like night hunting or a home defense situation.
In times when you need your AR-15 the most, youโll have a flash hider in your corner that will deliver a superb performance. If thatโs exactly what youโre looking for, the PSA A2 could be the one youโre looking for.
Bottom Line
This deserves the โbest overallโ honor. Plus, for the price itโs going for, this will give you top-notch performance in preventing night blindness and providing you all kinds of stealth in certain applications.
At the same time, recoil reduction is quite noticeable. And that equals to consistently accurate shots. If accuracy is something you hold to a high standard, then the PSA A2 flash hider might be worth the investment.
Runner-up:
Precision Armament - Efab Hybrid Flash Hider
Pros
Cons
Next, weโll be taking a look at the EFAB Hybrid Flash Hider by Precision Armament. This has the ability to suppress the flash on rifles with barrels measuring from 10 inches in length and up.
The unique design allows for gas to quickly reroute and deploy in different directions. This way, you wonโt have to worry about gas blowing back in your face.
At the same time, it will also do a good job hiding any kind of flash that may otherwise give away your position or throw you off course.
Like any other great flash hider, this also does a good job providing you with consistently accurate shooting thanks to its ability to reduce recoil.
This is also a good product to have if you hate the idea of having your rifle kick up so much dust. There are all kinds of gas ports throughout the flash hider itself except in one part, the bottom.
If you shoot your AR-15 rifle in the prone position, you donโt have to worry about your rifle kicking up dust every time you shoot.
Plus, you wonโt have to worry about any dust or dirt ending up in your barrel. If youโre looking for something that will reduce a lot of recoil and keep your muzzle clean, the Precision Armament might be exactly what youโre looking for.
Bottom Line
The Precision Armament flash hider is probably one of the best alternatives to the PSA A2. The design is quite impressive and does a good job rerouting the gas and reducing the recoil in your rifle. That alone will give your accuracy a jump.
No matter what application you use your AR-15 for, accuracy is always the most important thing to have. If you want to turn your AR-15 into a sharpshooting machine, it starts with finding the right kind of flash hider.
If this is something that piques your interest, you know youโve found your answer in the Precision Armament brand.
Best For The Money:
Smith Enterprise - Vortex Arc Helix Flash Hider 22 Cal
Pros
Cons
If youโre a budget shopper, thereโs a flash hider out there for you as well. Say hello to the Vortex Arc Helix Flash Hider from Smith Enterprise. What youโll notice first and foremost is this interesting looking design. The design is vortex-like (hence the name).
This has the ability to reroute any gas and unburned power that would otherwise cause flash in your AR-15 rifle. And it also is field-tested and proven to provide consistently accurate shots each time you pull the trigger.
It also passes the heat treatment test as it can handle the heat produced by a long shooting session at the range.
If youโre looking for something that will give you better accuracy, better stealth, and less gas blowback without breaking the bank, the Smith Enterprise Vortex Flash Hider should be a finalist on your short list of choices.
This is made of high-quality steel. Not only will it withstand the heat from your rifle, but it will also withstand the impact of every single round you fire off.
If youโre looking for something that will hold its own after hundreds or even thousands of shots, the Smith Enterprise product could be the next thing to add onto your AR-15 rifle.
Bottom Line
Not surprisingly, this exceeds all kinds of expectations. If youโre looking for something thatโs ineffective and flimsy, youโre going to be sorely disappointed. The Smith Enterprise is arguably one of the best flash hiders on the market for a few good reasons. For the price itโs going for, youโll think youโre stealing this.
In fact, if you choose this, youโre getting a lot more than what you pay for. The design is impressive and youโll immediately notice a reduction in recoil.
On top of that, you get no flash or muzzle jump, ever. Not bad for a budget product, we think. If you donโt want to break the bank but want a high performing item to go nicely with your AR-15 rifle, you may want to get the Smith Enterprise flash hider.
4. Advanced Armament - 51T Flash Hider 22 Cal
Pros
Cons
Up next, weโll be taking a look at the Advanced Armament 51T Flash Hider. The design looks slightly similar to the Smith Enterprise Vortex, but itโs a three-pronged design that is used to suppress your rifleโs flash and reroute the gasses that amplify it.
If youโre looking for something that will give you an advantage in low light or complete darkness, this product may be the one you rely on, especially if youโre out hunting for coyotes at night or if using it in a home defense situation.
On top of that, youโll also notice an immediate reduction in recoil once you install this on your rifle. Imagine having to go from a ton of recoil to almost none of it in a matter of minutes.
This will obviously make your shots a lot more accurate. If you hate the idea of missing your targets every time, a good flash hider could be the solution to that problem.
This product from AA is field tested and passes with flying colors. This is heat-treated and stress-tested to ensure this will last you as long as possible.
If youโre looking for a flash hider that might be the last one youโll buy in a while, consider getting it as your long-term solution.
Bottom Line
If youโre looking for something thatโs durable, reliable, and will serve as your best friend in the applications that matter most, the AA 51T could be the one you can call your own. As expected, this does its job as advertised. No flash, very little recoil, and no muzzle jump.
On top of that, this is the best option if youโre looking for a product that has the potential to last you years or even decades. Imagine having a flash hider that will still work just as effectively ten years from now. It can happen and it just might with this product.
5. Faxon Firearms - Streamline Flash Hider
Pros
Cons
Lastly, weโll be taking a look at the Faxon Firearms Streamline Flash Hider. If youโre looking to give your rifleโs barrel a little bit of an extension, then the Streamline might be something worth a closer look.
This has a total of three gas ports designed to reroute any gas and expel any unburned powder in the process. As a result, youโll have no flash to see and very little recoil to work with. This is made from high-quality steel complete with a QPQ finish for added durability.
If you want the best in accurate shooting and reliability, the FF Streamline Flash Hider might look pretty good on your AR-15 rifle. This product is best used for .223 caliber AR-15 rifles. If youโre having a hard time finding something exclusively for that caliber, suffer no longer.
Bottom Line
The FF Streamline Flash Hider is probably something worth the investment if you like the overall design and the way it functions overall. Expect the recoil to be kept to a minimum upon initial use. And though we have said this almost to the point of ad nauseum, you will be able to get a lot of accurate shots each and every time.
Donโt be surprised when your shot groups are a lot tighter than usual after installing this bad boy on your rifle. To top it off, it will make your barrel look slightly longer than usual. So you get not only the feel and function of how a rifle should be but also the look of a long-barreled rifle that will make heads turn at the range.
Pros and Cons of Flash Hiders
There are some advantages youโll expect from using a flash hider. However, it does come with its share of disadvantages as well. Here is a brief list of what youโll expect should you install a flash hider on your AR-15 rifle:
Pros
First, lets start with some of the advantages a flash hider provides.
No Night Blindness
If youโre using your AR-15 in low light or night conditions, you place yourself at a much greater risk for night blindness due to the flash. This could pose a hazard in a situation like a home defense situation, especially if youโre dealing with multiple attackers. A great flash hider will not only prevent this from happening, but it will also give you a lot of stealth in low light or complete darkness.
Better Accuracy
As you will notice with most flash hiders, they also have the ability to reduce recoil and eliminate muzzle jump. As this happens, youโll notice your shots will become more accurate with consistency. This is no accident. Recoil can be a major culprit in why your shots are not as accurate as they should be.
No Blowback In Your Face
You hate the idea of having gas blowing back in your face, right? Of course you do. Most designs will have a number of gas ports included to reroute any gas that may otherwise blow right back in your face. The gas will go in all other directions as your fire each and every shot.
Cons
Now, lets look at the limitations of using a flash hider.
Side Blast May Occur
One of the common disadvantages will be side blast. Since the design of most of these will purposely reroute gas in different directions, side blast may affect those in the general vicinity. Because of this, some flash hiders may not even be range-friendly as it may affect people nearby.
Not as Effective in The Daytime
Yes, while it might help you out in low light conditions or at night, you wonโt be able to enjoy the benefits of avoiding night blindness in the day time. But as a side consolation prize, youโll still be able to enjoy some advantages like accurate shooting due to the reduction of recoil and muzzle jump.
Conclusion
The best AR-15 flash hider is out there. If you know what you want to get out of them, youโll find the right one in no time. These are excellent to have, especially in situations where you are able to defend your home or while youโre hunting for varmints or predators at night.
Regardless of the application, a flash hider will prove itself useful in the long run. Find one that best fits your personal needs and preferences and enjoy the wide range of benefits and advantages youโll have out in the field or in a situation where your life is on the line.
