One of the current trends in AR15s is for blast shields. The concept is simply to redirect muzzle blast forward of the shooting. This feature prevents either ourselves or other surrounding shooters from going tone deaf after the first three rounds from your AR15 with that loud as hell chambered muzzle brake.
The concept of the blast shield or concussion redirector has been around for a while and originated in the tactical market for the CQB entry teams who were firing short barreled rifles standing next to each other in a room. There have been a number of takes on the idea however all of them require a proprietary blast shield designed exclusively for a proprietary brake. YHM, VG6 and Strike industries as an example have all exceptional blast shields if you happen to be running one of their brakes, but the Indian Creek Design Blast Forwarding Device is a universal alternative for everyone else.
FIT, FINISH, FEEL, FEATURES, & FUNCTIONS
Indian Creek Design Blast Forwarding Device has a threaded attachment collar which slips over the barrel before or after the crush washer and then the muzzle device is attached. The brilliance of the design is that it compatible with almost any muzzle device including your standard A2 birdcage flash hider to even one of those really effective brakes that are super loud. Despite the appearance, the ICD Blast Forwarding Attachment Collar only takes up only 3/32-inch of the barrel threads since the majority of the attachment collar is back down the barrel and potentially hiding the ugly crush washer.
The Blast Forwarding Device is compatible with pretty much any muzzle device as long as the muzzle device does not also have a shoulder that shrouds the attachment point on the barrel. AAC, YHM, and PWS have a few brakes with shoulders that hide the crush washer. After the attachment collar installed the Blast Forwarding Shield is just screwed onto the collar whenever it is needed - Cool. If you want to use the blast shield on another gun, just buy another attachment collar.
The Indian Creek Design BFD (Blast Forwarding Device) is made from billet aluminum and Type III hardcoat anodized and will work on almost any muzzle. The BFD is only 2.6 ounces but is a pretty large 1.5” diameter x 2.5” length similar is size to the YHM blast shield. Made in the USA.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Indian Creek Design Blast Forwarding Device - BFD - is really a spectacular little solution for only $80. It does its jab and drives the concussion away from the shooter or adjacent shooters. I mounted the BFD to a Faxon barreled Aero Precision upper mounted to my SBR registered Battle Arms Development lower along with testing it on a number of other rifles. In all tests, the BFD delivered a huge improvement in shooter comfort. Cool product which I am stunned it took this long for someone to invent. Great job Indian Creek Design.
SPECS
The Indian Creek Design BFD
Type III hardcoat anodize
Fits 1/2"-28, 1/2"-36, 5/8"-24, and 14mm muzzle devices
It weighs 2.6 ounces
O.D. is 1.49" and OAL is 3.1."
Maximum projection when mounted is 2.5"
Made in U.S.A.
SOURCES
Indian Creek Design - www.icdproducts.com