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Old May 24, 2000, 11:01 PM   #1
MrBlonde
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What year did the US trade the M16A1 with the Three Prong flash hider for the "Birdcage" flashider, for some reason 1969 is what my mind tells me...
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Old May 25, 2000, 08:56 AM   #2
MITHRANDIR
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we changed our pronged one out for a birdcage in Nov 68...(I Corp, Phu Bai, 101 ABN)

cannot answer for the other areas
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Old May 25, 2000, 04:42 PM   #3
MrBlonde
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Why did the get rid of the three prong one?
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Old May 25, 2000, 04:50 PM   #4
ModIMark0
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The reason for replacement of the birdcage for 3-prong was the open construction would make it more likely to catch vegatation in the suppressor's open prongs and create a muzzle obstruction.
On a related note, I had heard that their were two versions of the three prong flash suppressor. The first was a stepped (two diameters) affair, and the more known second version had the gradual taper from the bottom to the top (muzzle end). Anyone with a copy of "The Black Rifle: A Retrospective" that can confirm this?
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Old May 25, 2000, 06:50 PM   #5
Rex Feral
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REMF's were also using the prong type surpressor to break the bands on packing crates, bending the barrels in the process.

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Old May 26, 2000, 05:05 PM   #6
K80Geoff
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The real reason was that troops in the field were using the three prong supressors to open C ration crates that were held together by wire. After a few AD's and several wounds the supressors were redesigned.


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