Folks: I just bought a PTR-91 from Atlantic Firearms. It comes with a ‘Welded’ Fake Flash Hider… whatever that means. My local FFL dealer said he would have to cut it off and replace it with a muzzle break. Given NJ arcane useless senseless rules Is that accurate? I cant post link with the com but here is the website at atlanticfirearms.###/ptr-91-girc-ma-nj-compliant
https://atlanticfirearms.com/ptr-91-girc-ma-nj-compliant
PTR-91 GIRC MA/NJ Compliant Rifle
Model PTR-91 GIRC UPC 897903002565 Chambered in .308 18" barrel Parkerized finish Welded scope mount Welded fake flash hider Green furniture 1 10 round magazinePTR Industries, PTR-91 GIRC, PTR 300 Semi-automatic Rifle, 308 Win, 18" Barrel, parkerized finish, special edition green furniture, welded scope mount, welded fake flash Hider, 1-10rd magazine, MA/NJ compliant, surplus furnitue color may vary.
From what I’m seeing at the images - the firearm has a flash hider which would be in violation of NJ law. I’d agree it should be replaced with another muzzle device that is NJ Legal.
Ask Atlantic Firearms what they mean by “fake” flash hider. Maybe, just maybe, it’s a “straight through” barrel all the way to the end of that muzzle device and those slots actually have barrel behind them.
True ill ask AF thanks NJ is insane
Per AI:
- It’s essentially a solid, non-functional block or sleeve of metal (often resembling a shortened or blanked-out version of a standard flash hider, like an A2 birdcage style or HK-style cone in some cases).
- It has no ports, slots, or venting to actually suppress flash—it’s “fake” because it looks somewhat like a muzzle device but does nothing beyond covering the barrel threads.
- The key compliance aspect is that it’s permanently welded (or pinned and welded in similar setups) directly to the barrel. This prevents easy removal or replacement with a real flash hider, muzzle brake, or compensator, which would violate the ban-state rules on those features.
- The barrel itself is typically threaded underneath (e.g., standard 5/8x24 RH for .308/7.62x51 on PTR-91s), but the fake device is fixed in place to block access to those threads.
- This keeps the overall barrel length at 18" (non-threaded effective length for legal purposes) while avoiding classification as an “assault weapon” due to a prohibited muzzle device.
Sounds like it is effectively a metal tube with some decorative divots cut into it.
I emailed AF an their response was “It is a welded fake flash hider.” Not too useful.
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Are they able to preserve the existing threads or do they need to cut the barrel and cut new threads? If needing to cut new, could they just skip adding a device and just crown the barrel? Seems silly to me to add a muzzle device that does practically nothing.
From looking at enlarged pic of a similar that MA/MJ compliant one it looks just like grooves cut in hence the fake moniker.
I’m betting (not certain) that it is indeed a “cosmetically detailed crown” per the last photo. I’m also betting that once your FFL sees that they’ll be fine with leaving it as is.
Atlantic Firearms sure isn’t being too helpful - I don’t get why they’re marketing it as “Ban State Compliant” and then being obtuse about answering questions on compliance features.
Yeah, they should jsut call it “a permanently attached cosmetic muzzle device” or something.
I guess since they come threaded they need to put something on and pin it. And a muzzle brake compensator is kind of iffy. Im hoping that ‘Fake’ means just that its not a actual flash hider with any side openings. I asked FA if its just grooved havent heard back yet. I guess whatever the case it will be dealt with as needed.
Post a pic of the face of the fake flash hider
Would love to accept I have no clearer picture and Atlantic Firearms (FA) has not elaborated other than its fake. cheers Adam
Fake flash hiders are real….. wait, what?
Dunno why AF is going with fake devices when they could have gone with something useful and legal, like a comp. Also do not understand why it is welded on when bbls over 16” only require pinning. Welding is only a requirement for bbls under 16”, eg a 14.5” bbl with a welded on 1.5”+ muzzle device. An 18” bbl only requires pinning.
I’d rather have just a pinned thread protector instead of some fake welded on BS.
I agree. My local FFL said if pinky fits he’ll have to cut it off??? We’ll see. My attitude is tact on a damn washer or just cut it flush to barrel and leave rest we’ll see. LOL. NJ is a PITA.
As far as I understand this is FUDD lore. I could never find anything that speaks to the opening size. Ask them what part of the law mentions this.
Edit: IMO a fake flash hider is not a Flash Hider. A fake one doesn’t provide any ‘flash hiding’. I’m sure the FFL is just being super cautious as they obviously don’t want any trouble and NJ being as crazy as they are with this stuff.
That is pretty severe. I mean, cutting off your pinky just because it fits….
All kidding aside, the pinky test is BS. Ironically, it is a “rule of thumb”. I have both the BCM Gunfighter and Doublestar Carlson Comp, both 100% legal. The Carlson’s comp even has a letter from NJSP Firearms Division.
