OK, in the beginning there were straight prong Vortices, like the ones in Mongo's pic. They are called Vortex because of the offsets on the INTERIOR of the tines. Look at Mongo's first pic for a clue. They worked really really well esp considering the competition available in the late 80's. The only problem they had was the couter rotation created by the propellant gasses eventualy loosened them. This was a bigger concern with the shorter barrels. Much Loc-Tite and torque was needed to keep them in place.

Smith Enterprises (SE) changed the design to incorporate helical flutes that off set the counter rotation. The helical flute model worked very very well and didn't come loose. They worked so well that SE couldn't keep up with demand. SE changed the design slightly to increase production. I've always called this design change the "straight flute" model because the cuts don't appear to curve around the circumference of the FS.

On this changed model the flutes are just cut at an angle to the bore line. The manufacturing change caused the prongs to be undercut at their base. There are the models that failed. SE claimed faulty heat treat on them but after checking several new ones against several known good ones the only difference found was the undercut tines.

Here's a close up from a recently posted pic showing the undercuts.


Photo courtesy of M4A2_LO73754 of FIN

There was also a FS called the Brennan Nil-Flash. It looked somewhat like the Vortex but wasn't as aesthetic being just a cylinder with 4 internally curved prongs and straight flutes. Many of these were modified to look more like Vortices by shortening them and turning a groove into the ends. There was no way to modify the prongs so they still lack the triangular profiles used on the Vortex.

Quoted: the mushrooming issues have been discussed ad infinitum. Furthermore, they are issues from the pst -- the distant past and were limited to a very small lot as discussed above. I have several of the latest model G6A2 types, and their variants to include the G6A2 5.56mm, the limited production G6A2 6.5mmG/6.8mm and the very new "Direct Connect" (DC) Vortex for use on the (EBR-14) M-14. A few versions for the M249 and M240 as well. None of these have mushroomed or shown any signs of fatigue after many, many thousands of rounds. In part, this should not be suprising since the surface hardness of the G6A2 is RC 58-60 (!) with a core hardness pushing RC 40. Tough enough for you. I know, because I saw the physical testing results at ARDEC last year. Interestingly enough, but not entirely germane to this thread, the G6A2 M249 actually improves group size. BTW, the systemjust became available with an extremely robust BFA that works on the M-4 & M16 as well (USG only). As an aside, I wish these forums had more in the way of technical discussions from people who use M-15-related components in their official capacity. DCD Ft. Benning used to have such a discussion board but it is no longer up. Too bad. Still, it is interesting, although frankly anecdotal to hear the observations of consumers at the retail level -- but only that. Every once in a while though, a forum contributor comes up with an observation that Force Developers/Modernizers can actually appreciate. An believe me -- they, we are listening. When you use these items every day in real life siutations, these matters take on an entitrely different tone. Somehow commentary on how "cool" or "bad" something looks, without a critical discourse on on the technical merits is amusing at best to troops on the line.

Quoted: Quoted: I've never seen a straight Vortex. Can't say that no more. Old style with straight tines.

Orinally Posted by thebeekeeper1: I have three (or four?) of these--I obtained them from Olympic Arms about ten years ago. They have no name on them to indicate who the mfr. was. The tines are definitely straight and there is NO flash whatsoever--none, even in complete darkness. They are amazing. I was at an AR15.com shoot where three of the four tines cracked and broke off of another guy's Vortex. So far, no problem with any of mine.

www.entreprise.com/
www.smithenterprise.com/0100_Vortex_Page.htm

Quoted: From the manufacturer's web site, linked above: "The Vortex incorporates a helix design essentially tightening itself when the weapon is fired and helps align exiting barrel gas to improve accuracy with all bullet types. - "Left Hand" slots for left hand threads - "Right Hand" slots for right hand threads Flash suppression is not effected with straight slot muzzle devices."

16" barrel?

looks like I need to find those photos again

Quoted: I would like to see this Brennan NIL-Flash.

I wish I could find one, they are engraved Brennan Nil Flash on the side tho, hard to miss if you find one.

I have the  pics from the mushroomed Vortexes (Vorteci?) (Vortices) if you need them.

 

Cool, if you want to ship them to me I'll host them. I'm trying to port some of these good threads into the Content Server but haven't yet cogitated a way to do so.

I'm also missing the pic of Sonja Summers all decked out.

I just saw that in a thread not too long ago, pretty sure it was a Vortex thread. I'll keep and eye out for it.

still looking for Sonja's pic

Quoted: I would like to see this Brennan NIL-Flash.

Courtesy of migradog

nex time you see a mushroomed Vortex make sure you come back and comment about how useless this thread is

cold, so cold

forgot to upload these when I found them,

here is the "helical flute" (good ones)


notice that the prongs do not get thinner  from interior to exterior as they near the muzzle

here is another straight cut one, also good

Ok folks I moved this to the Conserv so if you posted pics it would help if you'd keep hosting them as I just quoted your posts and changed the URL tags to IMG.

a better link for what's been added

hopefully now this info will be forever enshrined in the ARF server

no need to tag it, just save the link shown above

looks like the Vortec has straight prongs and lacks the annular groove in the end found on the early straight prong Vortex, can't tell about internal geometry from the pics I've found. POF is using the Vortec on their gas piston uppers




This one is for Kisara

Before ANYONE makes any comments about this pic, Ron and Sonja are good folks and all the proceeds from this calendar went to disabled vets. Last time this pic was posted here some of the adolescents lets their alligator mouths overload their jaybird asses and it got all the way back to Smith Enterprises. Let's not let that happen again.

nah skip it, not worth the trouble, Kisara you got an IM.

OK, couldn't find the thread I was looking for, seems to be in between the Search and Archserv


http://ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=6&t=222229

google cache version

Quoted: The Smith Vortex is the most effective AR15 flash suppressor on the market today. The Young Mfr Vortec is a cheap knock-off of the most effective AR15 flash suppressor on the market today and has questionable durability.

Quoted: Hoplophile took the words right out of my keyboard. -Troy

Quoted: Actually, it's the other way around. Smith stole the name and design from Young Mfg many years ago and trademarked it, therefore YOUNG changed the name. I've seen documentation that Young's version was created first.