Midwest Industries M1 AK Flash Hider Impact Device (MI-AKFH1) – Product Review

After trying several flash hiders for the RAS47, I finally settled on one that seemed to work the best; the Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device.

Of the several flash hiders that I have installed on the RAS47, all were loose fitting, and that included the slant muzzle brake that came with the firearm. The Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device was the only product that I could tighten against the front sight. More importantly, the spring-loaded retention pin on the front sight locks in perfectly to the Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device.

Notice that the cuts are positioned such that exit points correspond to the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions that assist with muzzle drift and also on the top, which helps with muzzle rise. Further flash suppression is accomplished by slots that further force flash out and away from the firearm. However, this is not a flash suppressor to use while prone in dusty conditions.

Felt recoil seems to be slightly reduced with the Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device, but muzzle blast seems to be slightly increased (according to my shooting companions).

The front of the Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device is highly textured and resembles the “Breeching” flash suppressors used on many of today’s tactical shotguns.

Four retention points provide a means for locking in the Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device to AK sights that provide a spring-loaded pin. When I first installed the Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device, a detent and the locking pin did not agree with each other. Thankfully, all I had to do was twist the Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device a little further and the locking pin fell into place. Had that not worked, there is a flat on each side of the Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device that provides a place to use a wrench for tightening and loosening the Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device.

The Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device is a well made and well finished product. Although it does not match the finish of the barrel on the RAS47, that is of small concern to me as long as it does the job for which it was intended – and it does that quite well. With that said, I would not want to be alongside the device when a bullet flies out of the muzzle; there is an obvious safety factor involved.

The Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device is available through several on-line vendors, but I chose to purchase this one through Midwest Industries web site directly (https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=424).

Of AK flash suppressors there are many; some work, some don’t, and you may outlay a bit of cash figuring out which one works the best on your AK. If you are interested in more than just a slant muzzle brake for your AKM, and if your AKM has M.14 x 1.0 LH muzzle threads, the Midwest Industries MI-AKFH1 Flash Hider Impact Device might be worth a try.

* Manufacturers product image used with permission by Midwest Industries, Inc.