Smith Vortex makes music

[joshuades]

I have one of these flash hiders on my rifle. I noticed as soon as I installed it on my rifle that there is a resounding ping like a tuning fork when there are vibrations in the rifle (closing the bolt, locking the charging handle, thumping the flash hider). I was wondering how many of you use this flash hider and if it does the same on your rigs.

Functionally it works as it's supposed, and no flash is a great thing to me (as my eyes don't handle contrast very well, muzzle flash is particularly blinding to me).

[Lastrites]

Great flash hiders I'll have to check mine for a ping.

[Jack-O]

yes they are notorious for that actually.

I believe that the 'tuning fork' effect is due to the hardening that it goes thru during manufacturing. I think the hardening helps with the integrity that it needs because of the open cage design. that would also explain why few other designs do that.

[joshuades]

Ok, good. I've seen some of the older ones that had opened up from heat. Interesting that the case hardening would cause it to be resonant.

[Jack-O]

Ok, good. I've seen some of the older ones that had opened up from heat. Interesting that the case hardening would cause it to be resonant.


I dont think it's case hardened. It's fully hardened if anything. I would bet that it's close to an rc55 maybe harder.

[borderpatrol]

I dislike this flash hider for this reason alone. I believe it's caused by the long unsupported fingers. If they had an enclosed circle of support at the exit point like other brands this problem would disappear. I doubt it's effectiveness would be reduced one iota if produced that way. Of course it would look similar to a Phoenix then. It's an excellent flash hider, I just find this quirk annoying.

[BillBond]

The Vortex is designed to vibrate.
It helps to break up the flash.

8)