[3][1] The initial version was called the M14 Direct Connect, or M14 DC, and was a factory supplied part of the M14SE/M21A5 and Mk 14 Enhanced Battle Rifle systems.
[4] The M14 Direct Connect was unique in that it was the first sound suppressor expressly built for the M14 rifle that could be disassembled in the field for routine maintenance as opposed to returning it to the manufacturer.
In 2009 Fisher designed an optional locking collar for use on the M1A SOOCOM rifle, which uses a different style of flash suppressor/muzzle brake.
[5] These features included a new baffle design, a shortened locking collar made from nitrocarburized stainless steel and revolver cylinder cuts on the coupler which allowed propellant gas to exit just forward of the locking collar.
The Wind Talker can be mounted to any rifle with either a 7.62 mm or 5.56mm bore diameter as long as it utilizes a Vortex flash hider.