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Vortex Flash Hider AR15 Installation

The AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle used by the military, police and civilians. Most have a device at the end of the barrel called a flash hider. Flash hiders come in many designs, but the purpose is to reduce or eliminate the bright flash that comes out of the muzzle when you fire a round. Although the military uses these devices to hide the location of soldiers engaged in combat, civilians benefit from eliminating the blinding flash when firing in low light or nighttime conditions. The Vortex Flash Eliminator, manufactured by Smith Enterprise Inc., has three spiral-fluted prongs that effectively eliminate all traces of muzzle flash.

Things You'll Need

Adjustable wrench
Masking tape
Brake cleaner
Bristle brush
Crow's foot socket
Torque wrench

Instructions

- 1
  Push the AR-15 magazine release and remove the magazine. Retract the charging handle and check the chamber to ensure you have no live round in the chamber.
- 2
  Lay the rifle on its side, and break the stock flash hider loose with the adjustable wrench.
- 3
  Wrap a layer of masking tap on the flats of the flash hider. Loosen and unscrew the flash hider with the adjustable wrench. Some flash hiders may have a round spacer, or crush ring, and you must also remove this.
- 4
  Spray brake cleaner on the threads of the barrel. Remove oil, dirt or thread-locking compound with a bristle brush.
- 5
  Thread the Vortex Flash Eliminator onto the AR-15 barrel by hand until it bottoms out. Wrap masking tape around the wrench flats of the unit.
- 6
  Attach the crow's foot socket to the torque wrench. Set the torque wrench to 10 foot-pounds. Tighten the Vortex Flash Eliminator with the torque wrench until you hear a click.

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