Which flash hider to install on a 14.5" 5.56?

Claven2

Claven2

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
410   0   2
Location
Onterrible
I'm trying to decide SPECIFICALLY between these two muzzle attachments because I have one of each in my AR parts bin and I'm curious which people think is a better choice on a 14.5" and why.

Nothing special about the AR, typical US-made M4gery with a quad rail free float and an M4 profile chrome lined barrel, though in 1:9.

Option one: NEA hybrid (retails around $45)

VoirPhoto.asp


Option two: YHM Phantom (retails around $30)

YHM-28-5C2.jpg


I have never hooked either of these products up to a sled and measured recoil reduction, muzzle jump or flash suppression performance and I have no intention to.

Frankly, I think the Phantom has more LCF and my perception is that the NEA has better performance. It seems to reduce *some* recoil and does a good job of eliminating flash. The Phantom reduced flash, nowhere near completely, and despite their claims probably does little to nothing for recoil. It just looks soo cool though - lol.

The YHM is no bigger in diameter than an A2 birdcage, however, and is streamlined. It's hard to tell in the photos, but the NEA brake is really quite large in diameter and is longer than the YHM brake as well. When I first got it (mailorder) I was surprised at how large it really is.

I'll eventually use both, but for now, which would you guys put on an M4gery?
 
If you want the look of an m4, i'd stick with the A2. Otherwise, use what works best. And the NEA sounds like it works best, so it would get my vote.
 
rivetc78 said:
Phantom. Easy Choice.

Arms East is providing Phantoms on Their Stags.
Use what the Pros use.
Click to expand...

I'm not intending to argue your choice, but just because Armseast ships Stag AR15's with Phantom FH's, I would not call that evidence of "professional use".

which is not to say Armseast is not professional, but they aren't "using" these Phantoms - they are installing them on retail commercial market AR15's. Professional use would be if a private security firm or armed forces were using them in real life and death situations.

I could be wrong, but I *think* Armseast adds FH's to their ARs AFTER import - something to do with export rules??? And possibly because they are one of the few readily available birdcage-like flash hiders you can still get out of the US.

I'm not even sure Stag Arms uses Phantoms in the US at all...?
 
ESQ said:
If you want the look of an m4, i'd stick with the A2. Otherwise, use what works best. And the NEA sounds like it works best, so it would get my vote.
Click to expand...

I don't need it to look like an M4. Real M4's don't have YHM FF tubes or Magpul stocks either - lol.

As for which works best, I have no empirical evidence - I just "think" the NEA unit is a better performer, if that makes sense?
 
Which newer ones? Also, please do post on what you think of the Hybrid when it arrives - there seems to be precious little out there by way of reviews on it.
 
Interestingly though, you can no longer import A2 hiders to Canada. They are now classed ITAR as they are US gov't issue.

I tried ordering one from Brownells 3 weeks ago for a job I was doing for someone else and they would not export it (!).

In any event, I like hte A2 on 20" barrels and I sport one on my 9mm PDW AR, but I'm going a different way on my M4-like carbine.
 
The AR Hybrid does not work that great as a flash suppressor, and does an decent job at reducing recoil. It also spits unburned powder at a nearly 45 degree angle backwards (on a 11.5" bbl).

The YHM Phantom does not reduce recoil, but compensates and reduces flash pretty good. Looks great too.

It's a choice of purpose.

And yes, I own both, before anyone asks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom