Removing Flash Hider from AR

J

joeranger

New member
I would like to replace my flash hider with a simple thread protector but I want to be able to replace it if I don't see a tighter pattern.

Are there any tricks to doing this without scratching and marking up the barrel? Should it just come right off with a wrench? Do people use locktight?

EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inSFX5pNubE
 
Flashhider

joe,

Why do you think you will get tighter grouping without the flashhidder? I have never suspected to get better results that way. Enlighten me and explain this if you could please.
 
If you want to take off your flash hider, a 19mm wrench on the flats of the FH and turning it clockwise (if the muzzle is facing away from you) will remove it, with a lot of strength. This is assuming your barrel is at least 16" long and the flash hider has not been pinned in place.

But you won't see any accuracy improvement from removing it.
 
Everytime I see one of the video's of removing a flash suppressor, it's already been loosened up. They never show how much force is actually used to break it free and how to properly secure the upper so you don't cause any damage. So how much force does it take and how do you secure the upper?
 
I removed my flash suppressor and replaced it with a muzzle brake it didn't require what I thought was a whole lot of force to remove it.
 
It should take less than 80 footpounds. Most are turned firm. Anything over 150 footpounds might shear the nose of the upper, make sure the barrel is appropriately clamped so all the force used is directed at the threads.

Most hard thread locking compounds loosen over 200*, which makes me wonder why anyone would use them on a barrel that can exceed 400.
 
A flash hider or brake should not be over 35lbft. You should use a barrel clamp when working with a muzzle devise. Make sure your current muzzle devise isn't pinned and welded. Refer to the 23&P for more R&R information. No thread locking compound. Use a peel washer or a crush washer to "clocked" the devise.
 
It's is not really to improve accuracy. I just had the barrel replaced because the crown was damaged. I read that you can check the crown by whiting-out the end and checking the powder residue.
I have an A2 flash hider on now and would like to fire with just a thread protector for a while. I would like to be able to swap them out without damaging the finish or function.
 
Barrels can be recrowned, and if it got into the thread, that can be redone. At the user level, it's easier to replace, and possibly cheaper.

Proper muzzle crowning allows the high pressure gas to release concentrically behind the bullet base as it exits, evenly distributing pressure. That prevents forcing the bullet into yaw just inches past the muzzle - which high speed photography shows can happen. It's exactly why cleaning rods inserted at the muzzle are considered damaging.

A muzzle thread protector or flash hider has to be concentric, too. Flash hiders do a better job protecting the muzzle as they fence out impacts.
 
Don't use either the receiver or front sight for leverage when removing the flash hider. A barrel vise or barrel clamp in a vise is safer, stronger, and won't mar the parts. I removed a flash hider from a "custom built" rifle a couple of months ago that was so tight it would surely have damaged the upper or locator pin if I hadn't used a barrel vise.
 
A muzzle thread protector or flash hider has to be concentric, too.
Click to expand...

I always wondered about this I know gas needs to leave the muzzle evenly behind the bullet, but how can it do this with a regular A2 birdcage type flash hider when the vents are on the top only.........:confused:
 
I always wondered about this I know gas needs to leave the muzzle evenly behind the bullet, but how can it do this with a regular A2 birdcage type flash hider when the vents are on the top only.
Click to expand...

If you can picture the bullet leaving the barrel and behind it the gas escapes evenly out the barrel. Now look at your flash suppressor, it is cone shaped, it dispersed evenly until it escapes out the other ports. At this time, the bullet is no longer affected by the gas behind it. Or something like that...I can see a slow motion video in my head :D
 
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