Apr 142012
 

 

COLT SPORTER AR15 with VLTOR VC-1 FLASH HIDER COMPENSATOR

COLT SPORTER AR15 with VLTOR VC-1 FLASH HIDER COMPENSATOR

 

I purchased the VLTOR VC-1 based on the recomendation of a good friend who is an employee of RANIER ARMS. The VLTOR VC-1 was utilized for a project that involved taking my pristine  early 1990′s COLT SPORTER MATCH H-BAR and upgrading it to a more modern configuration. Aside from being a great FLASH HIDER and  COMPENSATOR ith VLTOR VC-1 was designed to accept many common SOUND SUPPRESSORS and more specifically the GEMTECH HALO SOUND SUPPRESSOR. Additionally the The VLTOR VC-1 measures 2.1″ long making it perfect to bring a 14.5″ barrel to a 16″ overall length (with addition of BATFE approved pin/weld installation). To date I have been quite pleased with the performance of the VLTOR VC-1, unfortunately I decided to go with an AAC M4 2000 QD SOUND SUPPRESSOR.

VLTOR VC-1 FLASH HIDER COMPENSATOR

VLTOR VC-1 FLASH HIDER COMPENSATOR

Manufacturers Info:

Highly-efficient internal helical design uses ten precisely contoured longitudinal ports combined with a unique, cloverleaf-shaped exit port to trap unburned powder particles long enough for full burn and dissipation of hot combustion gasses. Muzzle flash cancels itself out to minimize shooter exposure during daytime and low-light situations. Also serves as a compensator by directing venting gasses to help reduce muzzle jump and improve shooter control for better shot placement. Precision machined from 4140 steel to stand up to rough tactical operations. 2-1/8″ overall length brings a 14½” barrel up to legal length for civilian use when flash suppressor is permanently pinned or welded in place. Accepts most sound suppressors and Blank Firing Attachments designed to fit a M16/M4 flash hider. VC-1 fits .223/5.56mm AR-15/M16/M4 rifles.

Apr 082012
 

SMITH ENTERPRISE VORTEX AR15 FLASH HIDER

SMITH ENTERPRISE VORTEX AR15 FLASH HIDER

SMITH ENTERPRISE VORTEX AR15 FLASH HIDER

I get a substantial amount of emails asking “What is the BEST FLASH HIDER FOR AN AR15“. Naturally with so many great options it’s very hard to single out one single AR15 FLASH HIDER as the “Best“. Who has the time and money to test them all? Not me. Fortunately this is one time where sales numbers, website visitors, reviews and YouTube videos mostly agree. The SMITH ENTERPRISE VORTEX FLASH HIDER is with good reason arguably the most popular and copied FLASH HIDER for an AR15 available today. It’s popularity is based on performance and cost about $60. There are other flash hiders that perform just as well and maybe insignificantly better but be prepared to spend two to three times the cost of the VORTEX FLASH HIDER.

If there are two undesirable characteristics of the SMITH ENTERPRISE VORTEX FLASH HIDER the first would be its plain and simple appearance. The second characteristic can be an annoyance to some. The VORTEX has a tendency to “Ring” as rounds are put down range.Watch and listen to the video below.

Specifications:

Used by US armed forces worldwide as well as US Dept of Homeland Security and law enforcement across the nation. Designed not to loosen under sustained fire. Compatible with Smith Enterprise’s quick attach/detach Direct Connect (DC) sound suppressors from Smith Enterprise, Fisher and Gemtach Halo. Specially angled 15 degree helical flutes hides nearly 100% muzzle flash, even during full-auto fire, by dissipating gas and retaining unburned powder for increased residual burn. Constructed of the same 8620 bar stock steel used in the manufacture of AR-15/M16 bolts and carriers, then heat-treated to provide a high-strength core and tough, outer shell. Special, helix design helps align exiting barrel gas to improve accuracy with all bullet types. Skirt extension conceals gap between barrel shoulder and flash hider on AR-15, M16, and M4 rifles. Grooved base ring allows integration of Blank Firing Attachment (BFA) used by law enforcement trainers, and permits installation of the Smith Enterprise M4DC CQB sound and flash suppressor (available factory direct to USG/LE and FMS customers). Thread-on design requires no washer. Torque to 10 ft. lbs. maximum, self-tightens as weapon is fired. Use M-193, SS-109 (M855) and MK 262 service ammo for highest degree of flash suppression. Can be permanently attached to 14.5″ long, M4 barrels for an overall length of 16.1″.

300AAC BLACKOUT AR15

 

300AAC BLACKOUT AR-15

300 AAC BLACKOUT AR15

300 AAC BLACKOUT AR15

Why a 300 AAC BLACKOUT?

For starters a 220 grain subsonic 7.62 projectile. Shooters have been longing for a 7.62/.308 projectile in an AR15 platform sized weapon. There have been many attempts at this, some even remarkably similar. Unfortunately no previous attempt was commercially successful. The 300 AAC BLACKOUT on the other hand appears to be the real deal and here to stay. There is two very good reasons for this. The first is the only thing that separates a Milspec AR15 in .223/5.56 NATO and a 300AAC BLACKOUT AR15 equivalent is one part. That one part is the barrel (two if you include the muzzle device). All other parts are the same. Same AR15 Bolt Carrier Group and same AR15 Magazine.

The second reason the 300 BLACKOUT seems to be gaining steam and appears to be here to stay is the fact that caliber is a joint product of two Freedom Group companies Advanced Armament Corp (AAC) and Remington.

Hardware

  • CMMG MILSPEC STRIPPED UPPER RECEIVER
  • PWA PREBAN LOWER
  • WILSON COMBAT RECON 16″ MATCH GRADE 300 AAC BLACKOUT BARREL
  • WILSON COMBAT NP3 COATED BOLT CARRIER GROUP TR-BCA-NP3
  • WILSON COMBAT TR-TRIM-7 AR-15 HANDGUARD
  • MECHARMOR TACOPS-1 AMBIDEXTROUS CHARGING HANDLE
  • MAGPUL UBR BUTTSTOCK
  • MAGPUL MOE PISTOL GRIP
  • CMC AR-15 TRIGGER
  • JP RIFLES JPGS-2B AR-15 ADJUSTABLE GAS BLOCK
  • BATTLE ARMS DEVELOPMENT COMBAT AMBIDEXTROUS SAFETY SELECTOR BAD C.A.S.S
  • ARMALITE CARBINE BUFFER
  • ARMALITE CARBINE BUFFER SPRING
  • FRONT SIGHT
  • REAR SIGHT
  • C MORE RAILWAY SIGHT
  • ADVANCED ARMAMENT CO (AAC) BLACKOUT FLASH HIDER 51-Tooth M4-2000 6.8 SPC / 762-SD RATCHET SUPPRESSOR MOUNT 300 BLACKOUT 5/8″-24 THREAD STEEL MATTE 100209
  • SUPPRESSOR
  • MAGPUL PMAG

CMMG MILSPEC STRIPPED UPPER RECEIVER, PWA PREBAN LOWER

CMMG MILSPEC STRIPPED UPPER RECVER

Selected the PWA as I need to utilize a PREBAN AR15 LOWER RECEIVER to comply with my home states ASSAULT WEAPON BAN. This is necessary for the installation of a FLASH HIDER, MUZZLE BRAKE and SILENCER.


WILSON COMBAT RECON 16″ MATCH GRADE 300 AAC BLACKOUT BARREL

WILSON COMBAT RECON 16" MATCH GRADE 300 AAC BLACKOUT BARREL

WILSON COMBAT RECON 16″ MATCH GRADE 300 AAC BLACKOUT BARREL

For some time I had wanted the opportunity to test a WILSON COMBAT AR15 BARREL. I was lucky enough that WILSON COMBAT had the RECON 16″ MATCH GRADE 300AAC BLACKOUT BARREL in stock when the little woman was Christmas shopping for me. The RECON 16″ MATCH GRADE 300AAC BLACKOUT BARREL appears to be machined beautifully.

Side note on the barrel when used with an AAC FLASH HIDER  with regard to the fit of the FLASH HIDER to the barrel. To avoid having a gap between the barrel shoulder and the AAC FLASH HIDER one of the new style AAC FLASH HIDERS with recessed threads should be utilized.


WILSON COMBAT NP3 COATED BOLT CARRIER GROUP TR-BCA-NP3

WILSON COMBAT NP3 COATED BOLT CARRIER GROUP TR-BCA-NP3

WILSON COMBAT NP3 COATED BOLT CARRIER GROUP TR-BCA-NP3


WILSON COMBAT TR-TRIM-7 AR-15 HANDGUARD

WILSON COMBAT TR-TRIM-7 AR-15 HANDGUARD

WILSON COMBAT TR-TRIM-7 AR-15 HANDGUARD


MECHARMOR TACOPS-1 AMBIDEXTROUS CHARGING HANDLE

MECHARMOR TACOPS-1 AMBIDEXTROUS CHARGING HANDLE

MECHARMOR TACOPS-1 AMBIDEXTROUS CHARGING HANDLE


MAGPUL UBR BUTTSTOCK

MAGPUL UBR BUTTSTOCK CLOSED

MAGPUL UBR BUTTSTOCK CLOSED

MAGPUL UBR BUTTSTOCK EXTENDED

MAGPUL UBR BUTTSTOCK EXTENDED


MAGPUL MOE PISTOL GRIP

Magpul MOE Pistol Grip

Magpul MOE Pistol Grip


CMC AR-15 TACTICAL TRIGGER

CMC AR15 Tactical Trigger

CMC AR15 Tactical Trigger

While the CMC TACTICAL TRIGGER for AR15/AR10 rifles may not be the absolute best available trigger for the AR15 platform. It is in my opinion the best value in quality AR15 TRIGGERS and is able to go toe to toe with triggers costing $100 more. The CMC TACTICAL TRIGGER will exceed the expectations of all but the most discriminating AR15/AR10 shooters.


JP RIFLES JPGS-2B AR-15 ADJUSTABLE GAS BLOCK

JP RIFLES JPGS-2B AR-15 ADJUSTABLE GAS BLOCK

JP RIFLES JPGS-2B AR-15 ADJUSTABLE GAS BLOCK


BATTLE ARMS DEVELOPMENT COMBAT AMBIDEXTROUS SAFETY SELECTOR BAD C.A.S.S

BATTLE ARMS DEVELOPMENT AMBIDEXTROUS SAFETY SELECTOR BAD A.S.S

BATTLE ARMS DEVELOPMENT COMBAT AMBIDEXTROUS SAFETY SELECTOR BAD C.A.S.S


ARMALITE CARBINE BUFFER SPRING

Armalite AR15 Carbine Buffer Spring

Armalite AR15 Carbine Buffer Spring


ARMALITE CARBINE BUFFER

Armalite AR15 Carbine Buffer

Armalite AR15 Carbine Buffer


C MORE RAILWAY SIGHT

C-MORE TRW Railway Sight - Standard Tactical Railway

C-MORE TRW Railway Sight – Standard Tactical Railway

I selected the C-MORE TRW Railway Sight in large part because I had it laying around and it’s a great Red Dot Sight. It was a factory incentive from FN when I purchased my FS2000.


ADVANCED ARMAMENT CO (AAC) BLACKOUT FLASH HIDER 51-Tooth M4-2000 6.8 SPC / 762-SD RATCHET SUPPRESSOR MOUNT 300 BLACKOUT 5/8″-24 THREAD STEEL MATTE 100209

ADVANCED ARMAMENT CO (AAC) BLACKOUT FLASH HIDER 51-Tooth M4-2000 6.8 SPC / 762-SD RATCHET SUPPRESSOR MOUNT 300 BLACKOUT 5/8″-24 THREAD STEEL MATTE 100209

ADVANCED ARMAMENT CO (AAC) BLACKOUT FLASH HIDER 51-Tooth M4-2000 6.8 SPC / 762-SD RATCHET SUPPRESSOR MOUNT 300 BLACKOUT 5/8″-24 THREAD STEEL MATTE 100209

This is the new version that utilizes a deeper socket for a better fit on most barrels. Some barrels are threaded too long exposing a cap when utilizing the original flash hider. See below.

AAC Flash Hider 100209 Socket Comparison M4-2000

AAC Flash Hider 100209 Socket Comparison M4-2000


ADVANCED ARMAMENT AAC 762-SDN-6 SUPPRESSOR

ADVANCED ARMAMENT AAC 762-SDN-6  SILENCER SOUND SUPPRESSOR

ADVANCED ARMAMENT AAC 762-SDN-6 SILENCER SOUND SUPPRESSOR

The 762-SDN-6


MAGPUL 30 ROUND PMAG

MAGPUL 30 Round PMAG

MAGPUL 30 Round PMAG

The Magpul PMAG has gained a near cult like status known for it’s reliability, durability and plain good looks. All AR15 owners should own a few dozen. There are several variations. I purchase the black, 30 round no window to save a few bucks.


 no windowAR-15 TOOLS

Below is a list of required tools and their respective source links.