Blinding Muzzle Flash

[karl]

Simply put, is muzzle flash from a handgun going to momentarily blind you at night?

I've searched the forum and skimmed a google search or two and found small mentions here or there but no facts confirming or denying it. I would like to know if the blinding is significant and if using a flashlight while aiming would reduce the perceived flash.

Thanks,

Karl

[seamusTX]

Yep.

http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 9&p=246927" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The good news is that it blinds everyone who happens to be looking in the direction of the barrel.

- Jim

[karl]

Thanks, I checked that thread and most of the videos/pictures said they'd been "moved or deleted" so I must have missed it.

[MoJo]

At the evening IDPA matches at our club during the non daylight saving time of the year we get to see lots of muzzle flashes. (outdoor range using limited illumination) I can say from personal experience if you are the shooter you won't notice the flash 99% of the time. Those observing will see it but, as far as being blinded - - - NOT.

I have made some observations and notes about this. UMC range ammo in .45 ACP produces an awesome fireball. Blazer is up to it's name not as big a flash as UMC WWB produces the least flash of the American range ammo. Surprisingly, Wolf ammo is almost flash free! "Name Brand" carry ammo all has very low flash. Reloads are hit and miss depending on the brand of powder used.

From a tactical standpoint a flashlight will get you shot quicker than a muzzle flash. Most people have very poor light discipline.

[joe817]

Just following up on what MoJo is saying....I've heard that some brands of ammo produce less muzzle flash than others, because of the chemical composition of the powder that's burned in firing. It seems to me that reduced flash, could benefit you in a night s.d. situation. Daytime it wouldn't matter, because your pupils are shut down anyway. Night's a different story altogether.

Anyone heard similar theories?

[C-dub]

When I shoot at BassPro I turn the light in my lane off and try to make it as dim as possible. It's not dark by any means, but it is low light and I have yet to notice any muzzle flash. I've also shot my Henry in their riffle tube with my BIL. After the first shot he said, "WOW!" Apparently, the muzzle flash was brilliant. I didn't even notice. I watched when he shot and it was remarkable.

[joe817]

Yes! That's what I was talking about Andy! Thanks for chiming in. I was close, but you put it better.

[The Annoyed Man]

All I know is that I love shooting my .44 magnum right at dusk. I don't care if I see blue dots in my eyes for the next 10 minutes. The muzzle flash and the fire shooting out the sides of the cylinder gap are pure entertainment. Lousy in a night time gunfight. But pure entertainment.

[srothstein]

I would have to point out that there will be a big difference in the PERCEIVED muzzle flash between the range and the actual self defense shooting. During practice, you might or might not notice the flash, depending on a lot of variables (barrel length, powder, compensator, pistol/revolver, etc.).

I have never really noticed the flash when I was shooting, but I can definitely see it watching others. I know some people who will not carry a compensated pistol for duty/s.d. use because the vents allow the flash to come up. I even started to argue with one guy over this until i paid careful attention to the flash during a night shoot. He was right and you can see the muzzle flash from the compensator.

In a real self-defense shooting, you will have so much adrenaline going and be so occupied with other things that it is highly unlikely that you will even hear the pistol go off, let alone be distracted by the flash. Stress and adrenaline have a wonderful way of focusing your mind on what really matters.

Tactically, you shouldn't worry about the muzzle flash attracting return fire. By that time, for our purposes, the BG knows where you are and what you are doing. He is either already returning fire or turning and running , so your flash will not have anything to contribute either way. The people who have to worry about flash are soldiers and doing it for a living. Even cops generally don't worry about the muzzle flash attracting return fire too much, though we do practice light discipline with flashlights. You, as others have mentioned, probably need to worry more about the flashlight tipping off the BG than the muzzle flash. Of course, I would have to ask why you are looking for him in most cases anyway, though I know some will (see the thread about checking out doors for suspicious noises ).

[striker55]

couple of my night time photos, top one is 357 maximum contender, bottom is 44 mag

[KD5NRH]

As for the powder, it's not just chemical additives, but burn-rate. Different powders burn at different rates; for example, a slower-burning powder in a snubbie is going to produce a much larger muzzle-flash (because it's still burning when the bullet exits the muzzle) than a faster-burning powder which might be almost totally consumed before the bullet exits. That same slow-burning powder might suit a longer barrel quite nicely, though, and result in almost zero flash.

+1

CorBon PowRBall (.357, 100 or 110gr bullet, don't recall which) in a 7.5" barrel: (most good SD ammo seems to be similar)


Handload - 16gr of 2400 pushing a 125gr bullet in the same gun:


That same 2400 load in a 2" barrel: (not recommended - it's over max, but no problems in the Blackhawk. Slight overpressure signs in the snub.)

[Excaliber]

I would have to point out that there will be a big difference in the PERCEIVED muzzle flash between the range and the actual self defense shooting. During practice, you might or might not notice the flash, depending on a lot of variables (barrel length, powder, compensator, pistol/revolver, etc.).

I have never really noticed the flash when I was shooting, but I can definitely see it watching others. I know some people who will not carry a compensated pistol for duty/s.d. use because the vents allow the flash to come up. I even started to argue with one guy over this until i paid careful attention to the flash during a night shoot. He was right and you can see the muzzle flash from the compensator.

In a real self-defense shooting, you will have so much adrenaline going and be so occupied with other things that it is highly unlikely that you will even hear the pistol go off, let alone be distracted by the flash. Stress and adrenaline have a wonderful way of focusing your mind on what really matters.

Tactically, you shouldn't worry about the muzzle flash attracting return fire. By that time, for our purposes, the BG knows where you are and what you are doing. He is either already returning fire or turning and running , so your flash will not have anything to contribute either way. The people who have to worry about flash are soldiers and doing it for a living. Even cops generally don't worry about the muzzle flash attracting return fire too much, though we do practice light discipline with flashlights. You, as others have mentioned, probably need to worry more about the flashlight tipping off the BG than the muzzle flash. Of course, I would have to ask why you are looking for him in most cases anyway, though I know some will (see the thread about checking out doors for suspicious noises ).

There is something you can learn from someone else's muzzle flash:

If it is oval in shape or something close to that, that person's gun barrel is not lined up on you.

However,

If the flash is round he's got you in his sights and if you're not already behind solid cover the round he's just fired is probably going to hurt or pass really close by. It's time for a "tactical relocation" and return fire.

[karl]

Thanks for all the responses.

Of course, I would have to ask why you are looking for him in most cases anyway, though I know some will (see the thread about checking out doors for suspicious noises ).

Just curious in case I have to wander through my house at night with a pistol at the ready. The reason I asked in the first place is because I've seen all the pictures on that thread and on a google search, but they really don't transmit what your eyes would experience. Yes the picture shows a ball of fire at and around the muzzle of the weapon, but how would your eyes perceive that at night was my curiosity.

[psehorne]

While shooting at Bass Pro recently I notice muzzle flash. Perceived size was larger than a quarter, perhaps small than a fifty cent piece (remember those?). I was shooting American Eagle (Federal) 9mm full metal jacket flat point. I don't remember for sure which gun I was using at the time. I have an XD(M) 9 and and a Kel-Tec PF-9 and shot both of them that trip.

I've never noticed muzzle flash with any other ammo, and I have shot WWB, Fiocchi, Monarch, and Independence.