Blinding Muzzle Flash

[psehorne]

"WOW!" Apparently, the muzzle flash was brilliant. I didn't even notice.

The flash had subsided by the time your re-opened your eyes.

[KD5NRH]

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.

It's there and gone so quickly that if you see anything at all, it's just an instantaneous flicker of light in front of the gun.

[Crapshoot]

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

Iv'e never really fired at night. But I had a P229 in 357 sig and when I thru some HPs dwn range in the daytime, the muzzle flash was bad enough to cause some minor "whiteout" vision. If it did that during the day I can't imagine the vision impairment at night. It bothered me enough that I went ahead and switched back to my .40 barrel.

[MoJo]

Believe me, if you are in a fight for your life you won't see muzzle flash, hear the gun go off, or feel recoil. You may not even remember drawing or firing your gun.

[Mithras61]

Well, I've never found the muzzle blast of my pistols to be very distracting, but I used to work on the M198 in the service:



It isn't as big as some guns, but its big enough when you're standing between the trails looking downrange...

[Excaliber]

Well, I've never found the muzzle blast of my pistols to be very distracting, but I used to work on the M198 in the service:



It isn't as big as some guns, but its big enough when you're standing between the trails looking downrange...

Now that's what a call a MUZZLE FLASH as opposed to muzzle flicker!