A flash suppressor, also known as a flash guard, flash eliminator, flash hider, flash cone, or muzzle brake, is a device attached to the muzzle of a rifle or other gun that reduces the visible signature of the burning gases that exit the muzzle, which also reduces recoil. This reduces the chances that the shooter will be blinded in dark conditions. A secondary benefit of flash suppression is the reduction of the flash visible to the enemy.
"The Flash Suppressor hides muzzle flash but will not hide the player on the minimap. It also acts as a compensator, decreasing vertical recoil but reducing accuracy from the hip due to their additional weight."
Attachment slot
Secondary
Available on
Assault Rifles Carbines Light Machine Guns SKS UMP-45, P90 and M5K Shotguns
Unlocked at
175 Kills (Assault Rifles)
175 Kills (US Carbines and QBZ-95B) 200 Kills (RU Carbines) 150 Kills (HK53 and MTAR-21)
The Flash Suppressor is a weapon attachment featured in Battlefield 3. Unlike the sound suppressor, it hides only the muzzle flash of a weapon and slightly reduces its recoil but it does not affect the bullet drop or damage of the weapon.
The Flash Hider is a weapon attachment featured in Battlefield 4. Unlike its Battlefield 3 counterpart, the flash hider solely hides a gun's muzzle flash with no increase/decrease in other gun stats (altho in game,when equipped, the flash hider does show changed stats). Due to its neutral benefits, it is a good choice on weapons that don't benefit from other barrel attachments, such as the compesator or muzzle brake.
True flash suppressors are intended to hide the flash from the shooter, not observing enemies. In truth, the suppressor does little to mask the location of the shooter from enemies except in very bright daylight where the flash is almost unnoticeable anyway.
In reality, a flash suppressor has an effect similar to that of a muzzle brake, and in fact reduces the effective recoil of a rifle by directing more of the gasses from the fired round to the sides of the barrel, and would have no negative impact on the accuracy of the firearm. This is more accurately reflected currently in BF3 than before, as the flash suppressor now does not compromise accuracy but improves controllability.
Normal players can equip the flash suppressor on Carbines, Assault Rifles, Shotguns, LMGs, PDWs and the SKS, DICE developers can also equip it on other semi-auto and bolt-action sniper rifles
