Muzzle Flash Suppressor Test: 25 Suppressors in a Night Shoot

Hey everybody, Rob Orgel with Silencer Syndicate here. You asked for it, and we’re delivering! In today’s video, we’re at the 1,000-yard range, conducting a muzzle flash suppressor test in low-light conditions. We’re putting 25 different suppressors to the test to observe their flash signature at night. This test aims to provide quantifiable data to help you make an informed decision on your next suppressor purchase.

Click here to watch a video on this topic.

Test Setup:

For this experiment, we used two host rifles:

• 11.5-inch barrel with an adjustable gas system, fully open
• 16-inch barrel with an adjustable gas system, fully open

We also included a 14.5-inch rifle specifically for the Otter Creek Lab OCM-5 due to its proprietary mount. Here’s how we conducted the test:

1. Control shots with no muzzle device
2. Flash hider test
3. SilencerCo ASR test
4. Suppressor tests with 25 different models

We aimed to capture the first round pop and subsequent rounds from an angle that would clearly show the muzzle flash.

Testing Results:

Control and Flash Hider:

• Without a muzzle device, the flash was substantial and noticeable.
• The flash hider reduced the flash but still presented significant muzzle flash.

Suppressor Performance:

• Omega 36M: Exceptional performance with minimal visible flash.
• Nomad L and LTi: Long and voluminous suppressors that absorbed most of the muzzle flash.
• SilencerCo Velos 556: Surprisingly effective with minimal flash despite its flow-through design.
• Surefire RC3: Performed well on both the 11.5 and 16-inch barrels.

Underperformers:

• Rugged 556: Disappointing in both sound suppression and muzzle flash.
• 360 Ti: With only four baffles, it didn’t handle the flash well.
• KGM R6 and 556: The ports designed to reduce recoil created a 360-degree flash, making it less effective for night shooting.

Camera vs. Human Eye: Our camera settings aimed to replicate the human eye’s perception at night. While we captured most flashes accurately, the camera missed some of the spark effects from suppressors like the Huxwrx QD. Despite this, the QD performed well in reducing flash, though the Flow K variant didn’t fare as well.

Conclusion:

This initial test provides valuable insights into the performance of various suppressors in low-light conditions. Here are the key takeaways:

Top Performers:

• Omega 36M
• Nomad L, LTi
• SilencerCoVelos 556
• SureFire RC3

Underperformers:

• Rugged 556
• 360 Ti
• KGM R6 and 556

Final Thoughts:

This muzzle flash suppressor test is just the beginning. We plan to repeat these tests with more suppressors and potentially include night vision to capture even more detailed data. Your feedback is crucial to our continuous improvement and testing. Which suppressor caught your interest? Share your thoughts and preferences with us.

Pros of Top Performers:

• Minimal muzzle flash
• Effective sound suppression
• Reliable performance on different barrel lengths

Cons of Underperformers:

• Higher visible flash
• Inconsistent performance
• Design features that may not suit all shooting conditions