Smith Enterprise Fans: M14 & M1A Parts and Upgrades: M240 & M249 Flash Eliminator: Vortex & BFA Photos

This page covers Smith Enterprise, Inc. (SEI) Vortex flash eliminators and blank firing adapters (BFAs) for machine guns and carbines, grouped by gun. It covers the M240 Vortex P/N 1001AV and its BFA P/N 1024, the MK48 7.62 mm Vortex and BFA, the MK46 Vortex P/N 1040V with the locking collar SEI called patent pending in 2011, the heavier M249 Vortex and its matching BFA, and the M4 BFA P/N 1015.

The M240 and M249 BFA posts note that those BFAs only work with the matching SEI Vortex. A short section also explains how the M240 and MK48 Vortex thread lengths differ.

Independent fan blog. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Smith Enterprise, Inc.

M240 Vortex and BFA

SEI M240 Vortex Beside Another M240 Flash Hider

First posted on this blog in June 2011.

SEI M240 Vortex flash eliminator and a different flash hider, side by side on two FN M240 machine guns

August 2009
A side by side photo of two FN M240 machine guns, one with an SEI Vortex Flash Suppressor and one with a different flash hider.

More Pictures of Our M240 Vortex Flash Eliminator P/N 1001AV

First posted on this blog in September 2011.

SEI M240 Vortex flash eliminator P/N 1001AV, view 1 of 2

SEI M240 Vortex flash eliminator P/N 1001AV, view 2 of 2

Here are some more pictures of our tried and true Vortex Flash Eliminator for the M240 Machine Gun

Some Close Up Pictures of our M240 Blank Firing Adapter (BFA) P/N 1024

First posted on this blog in September 2011.

SEI M240 blank firing adapter P/N 1024 on a Vortex P/N 1001AV, view 1 of 7

SEI M240 blank firing adapter P/N 1024 on a Vortex P/N 1001AV, view 2 of 7

SEI M240 blank firing adapter P/N 1024 on a Vortex P/N 1001AV, view 3 of 7

SEI M240 blank firing adapter P/N 1024 on a Vortex P/N 1001AV, view 4 of 7

SEI M240 blank firing adapter P/N 1024 on a Vortex P/N 1001AV, view 5 of 7

SEI M240 blank firing adapter P/N 1024 on a Vortex P/N 1001AV, view 6 of 7

SEI M240 blank firing adapter P/N 1024 on a Vortex P/N 1001AV, view 7 of 7

Here are some pictures of our BFA for the M240 P/N 1024 mounted on a Vortex P/N 1001AV and some by itself. This BFA is the most effective and has been hardened to combat specifications. It is way better than the GI Issue BFA. This BFA will only work with the SEI Vortex for the M240 (P/N 1001AV). There are several different angles to give you a better idea of what it looks like.

M240 vs. MK48 Vortex Fit

M240 vs. MK48 Vortex: Thread Length

First posted on this blog in June 2011.

The M240 and the MK48 share a thread pattern, but the Vortex flash eliminators made for each have different thread lengths. This note from Smith Enterprise explains what that means when fitting one to the other.

Since the M240 and the MK48 both have the same thread pattern, it is possible that the customer may accidentally install the wrong flash hider on the wrong weapon. While this is completely safe, it will not give the user the most desirable flash suppression. Therefore, we are posting the below pictures to better show the difference.
The thread length on the M240 are slightly longer, and therefore will butt up against the muzzle when the appropriate Vortex is attached. Below is a picture of the M240 Vortex screwed onto an M240 muzzle.

The MK48 Vortex thread length is slightly shorter than the M240 Vortex thread length. Therefore, the MK48 Vortex won't butt up against the muzzle when screwed onto the M240 barrel. Notice the gap between muzzle and Vortex in the below picture.

Note: There is no problem when screwing the MK48 or M240 Votex on the MK48 because the MK48 is short enough to securely fasten both models of Vortex Flash Eliminators on it.

MK48 Vortex and BFA

MK48 Vortex and BFA Pictures

First posted on this blog in September 2011.

SEI MK48 7.62 mm blank firing adapter (BFA)

SEI MK48 7.62 mm Vortex flash eliminator, view 1 of 3

SEI MK48 7.62 mm Vortex flash eliminator, view 2 of 3

SEI MK48 7.62 mm Vortex flash eliminator, view 3 of 3

Here are some good pictures of our MK48 7.62 mm Vortex Flash Eliminator with its Blank Firing Adapter (BFA).

MK46 Vortex and BFA

More Pictures of Our MK46 Vortex Flash Eliminator P/N 1040V

First posted on this blog in September 2011.

SEI MK46 Vortex flash eliminator P/N 1040V with locking collar, view 1 of 4

SEI MK46 Vortex flash eliminator P/N 1040V with locking collar, view 2 of 4

SEI MK46 Vortex flash eliminator P/N 1040V with locking collar, view 3 of 4

SEI MK46 Vortex flash eliminator P/N 1040V with locking collar, view 4 of 4

Below are some more pictures of the MK46 Vortex Flash Eliminator. Please take note of the patent pending locking collar that allows the Vortex to be customized to the tightness preference of the operator.

Pictures of the BFA for the MK46 Vortex Flash Eliminator

First posted on this blog in September 2011.

SEI blank firing adapter for the MK46 Vortex flash eliminator, view 1 of 3

SEI blank firing adapter for the MK46 Vortex flash eliminator, view 2 of 3

SEI blank firing adapter for the MK46 Vortex flash eliminator, view 3 of 3

Below are some pictures of the BFA for the MK46 Vortex Flash Eliminator.

M249 Heavy Vortex and BFA

Here is Our New Heavy M249 Vortex Flash Eliminator

First posted on this blog in September 2011.

SEI heavy M249 Vortex flash eliminator, view 1 of 3

SEI heavy M249 Vortex flash eliminator, view 2 of 3

SEI heavy M249 Vortex flash eliminator, view 3 of 3

Our M249 Vortex used to be about the size of the M4 Vortex. However, we decided that we wanted to beef it up to make it more closely aligned with the M240 Vortex. So these are some pictures of the newer, more ruggedized, M249 Vortex Flash Eliminator.

Our New BFA for the M249 Heavy Vortex

First posted on this blog in September 2011.

SEI blank firing adapter for the heavy M249 Vortex flash eliminator, view 1 of 5

SEI blank firing adapter for the heavy M249 Vortex flash eliminator, view 2 of 5

SEI blank firing adapter for the heavy M249 Vortex flash eliminator, view 3 of 5

SEI blank firing adapter for the heavy M249 Vortex flash eliminator, view 4 of 5

SEI blank firing adapter for the heavy M249 Vortex flash eliminator, view 5 of 5

Now that we have updated our M249 Vortex, we also updated the Blank Firing Adapter (BFA) to fit the new style. This BFA will only work with the Vortex ans is must more effective than the GI Issue BFA. Here are a few pictures.

M4 Blank Firing Adapter

Some Close Up Pictures of our M4 Blank Firing Adapter (BFA) P/N 1015

First posted on this blog in September 2011.

SEI M4 blank firing adapter P/N 1015 on a Vortex P/N 1001V, view 1 of 4

SEI M4 blank firing adapter P/N 1015 on a Vortex P/N 1001V, view 2 of 4

SEI M4 blank firing adapter P/N 1015 on a Vortex P/N 1001V, view 3 of 4

SEI M4 blank firing adapter P/N 1015 on a Vortex P/N 1001V, view 4 of 4

Here are some pictures of our BFA for the M4 mounted on a Vortex P/N 1001V. This BFA is the most effective and has been hardened to combat specifications. It is way better than the GI Issue BFA. This BFA will fit on the GI Issue bird cage as well as the SEI Vortex for the M4/M16 (P/N 1001V). There are several different angles to give you a better idea of what it looks like.