SAR 20#2

someone transferring an M203 on an AR15 is pretty slim. It is
the flash suppressor/grenade launcher identified in the original
assault weapons ban. Yet, when you ask the administrators at
the state level what is a grenade launcher they cannot explain
that the military flash suppressor is a grenade launcher. One
state in particular when asked to explain the features as applied
in his state told me, “that is a legal question and if you
want an answer you need to hire an attorney and appeal for
an answer to the attorney general’s office”. This was from the
lead detective in charge of the office.
Concerning the practice of pinning a muzzle brake in place,
the purpose of pinning the muzzle brake to the barrel is to
mask the threads. A banned feature is a threaded barrel that
is compatible to accept a military flash suppressor. Once a
muzzle brake or thread protector is pinned in place the barrel
is no longer considered threaded. In all of the research of
all of the state laws and speaking to many personnel not one
has been able to give me a standard of what is considered
permanently attached. If a person were to look for a standard
the best practice would be to use what the ATFE has established
for many years. Permanent attached means: “full fusion
weld (stick, tig, mig) brazing, silver solder that has at least an
1100 degree melting point, blind pin or set screw welded over”.
These methods have always given positive results for permanent
attachment.
TESTING OF A FLASH SUPPRESSOR:
With the enactment of the SAW ban ATFE did not have
a test protocol to evaluate the reduction of flash of a muzzle
attachment, when fired. A protocol was not developed until
2002. This protocol was based on the procedure utilized by
the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen
Proving Grounds. The procedure developed was to compare
the flash of a firearm without a flash suppressor, against the
firearm with the flash suppressor, and any submitted muzzle
attachment for a particular model of weapon. This test
procedure is consistent with the procedure utilized by the
U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, Test Operations
Procedure (TOP) 3-2-045.
The following is the test protocol that was developed:
1. A measurement and description is taken of each muzzle
submitted for evaluation. The outside diameter of the
muzzle attachment must be larger than .865 of an inch,
which is the diameter that will accept a muzzle-mounted
grenade.
2. Photographs will be taken of the muzzle attachment
attached to a firearm while being fired in
complete darkness.
3. A grid, measuring 24 inches by 24 inches and made of
1/4-inch metal rod spaced two inches apart, will be placed
4 inches behind and centered on the muzzle attachment.
4. Take three separate sets of test photographs. Two photographs
of each test process.
• The test weapon will be first photographed without
any muzzle attachment.
• The test weapon will then be photographed with the
submitted muzzle attachment.
• The test weapon will then be photographed with the
military style flash suppressor that is a component of
the test weapon.
• The photographs will be compared, using the grid
as a reference, and a determination will be made
as to whether the item is a flash suppressor or
muzzle brake.
• Measure the size of the flash spread of each test fire
by counting the grid lines.
Document the
Camera utilized:
Lens:
Ammunition:
Exposure length:
Distance from camera
lens to muzzle:
Camera: Nikon D80, digital SLR
18-75mm
Federal (Federal ammunition
has been used in all previous
tests)
bulb
60 inches and level to the
muzzle.
Once the test is complete there is not any standard to say
if the flash spread was reduced by so many inches, the muzzle
device would or would not be a flash suppressor. This is
subjective. However, from personal experience military flash
suppressors reduce the flash of a rifle a considerable amount.
It was an eye opener to see just how well many of these flash
suppressors worked. On the other hand there was never a true
muzzle brake capable of reducing the flash a sufficient amount
to be called a flash suppressor.
Conclusion:
Certain states have implemented a SAW ban in an attempt
at a modified gun control. If you reside in one of these states,
or you provide commerce in firearms in one of these states,
and you intend to own or sell firearms, it is imperative you
understand the firearms laws for your state. Failing to do so
could put you in possession of a physical feature of a sporting
firearm of which you could be convicted of a State felony.
WWW.SMALLARMSREVIEW.COM 21 SAR Vol. 20, No. 2