A flash hider, also known as a muzzle brake or a flash suppressor, is a device attached to the muzzle of a firearm that helps reduce the visible light and smoke generated when the gun is fired. Flash hiders are commonly used on military and law enforcement weapons to help minimize the chances of being seen by the enemy, and to protect the shooter’s night vision. There are many different designs of the flash hider, but they all work towards the same goal: to drastically reduce or eliminate the bright “muzzle flash” that is emitted when a gun is fired in low-light conditions.
The vast majority of flash hiders on the market today work by using small metal baffles or ports to redirect and disperse the hot gases that are expelled from the muzzle when a round is fired. This effectively “hides” the flash of light that would otherwise be visible to anyone in front of or near the gun. Some flash hiders also incorporate recoil-reducing features, which can be beneficial for shooters who are trying to minimize the amount of felt recoil from their rifles.