Hodad
March 22, 2002, 11:32
Well folks, after reading all the posts I could find here about everyone having so much fun removing those screw-on flash hiders, (Particularly the step-by-step instructions from Gary Jeter the Dremel King) I almost didn't get one of those kits for that very reason. I wasn't sure I could stand that much fun.
I decided to get a Grade I kit from Dan's on the chance of getting lucky,and I wanted a different type to go with the G1 kit I already had. In the meantime I started to collect all the tools needed to complete a "Build" with the best chance of success (us old men need all the help we can get).
I got all the tools Casey Elliott sells; Sizing Rods, steel receiver wrench, and the barrel vise with A&B bushings. Thanks Casey, these tools are works of art and cute as a basket of speckled pups. Brownells supplied the headspace gauges.
The first week of March I got the backordered Grade I from Dan. It looked as if some dummy ran an almost new rifle thru a ChopSaw. I thought about that flash hider for 2 days, then grabbed that sucker up and had it off in less than 5 minutes.
This is how I did it:
1. Took a 1/2"-20 x 1" hex-head bolt (with some flatwashers so it wouldn't touch the muzzle) and screwed it in tight where the blank adapter goes on the flash hider.
2. Held the barrel suspended in one hand and a 2lb. Brass hammer in the other, hit the head of the bolt 4 or 5 good licks (like driving 20 penny nails).
3. Put the barrel in the vise with a couple of lead blocks and tightened close to the flash hider.
4. Used my thinned down 11/16" open-end wrench which I had Dremeled open to fit the flats on that little devil and a 3/4" box-end wrench and turned them like a T-Handle.
5. It took maybe 25 to 30 ft/lbs and off it came, no pop, no strain, no oil soaking, no heat and no twisting the whole barrel from breech to muzzle!
Here is what happened:
When the flash hider was first installed, it was torqued hard against the flat shoulder behind the threads on the barrel. Over time, heat from firing, etc. It got tighter.
Striking against the shoulder loosens the seat and takes some strain off the threads, therefore making it easier to unscrew.
The only thing I can see that would hurt using this procedure is: If you miss the bolt head and hit your hand with the hammer.
With all this being said, I couldn't believe it was that easy! I NEEDED TO EXPERMENT!!!
Being a rational person, and not a faloholic by any means, an order was sent to Dan's for 2 Grade III's.
I figured by having more wear than Grade I, the flash hider would be tighter.
They arrived last week and I took up my trusty hammer and went to work. I WAS RIGHT!! It took every bit of 35 to 40 ft/lbs to break them loose using the same procedure as before. I was overjoyed! Here was something I could share with the folks on FAL Files. You will note that the Dremel was used to make the wrench (Thank you, thank you, King Jeter), maybe I can get into the WECSOG!!
There ain't no way I was just lucky, cause I ain't never been lucky 3 times in a row. Try it, it worked for me.
While trying to figure how to post pictures and if anyone would be interested in this action, I suddenly realized there was something terribly wrong!!! Things were out of balance!!! I had 3 Imbel kits and only 1 G1!!!
I ran to my computer, pulled up TAPCO's site and ordered 2 of the $99.99 G1 kit specials. Whew, that was close. Then I remembered I only had 1 Imbel receiver for 6 kits!! so I called Harlan and ordered 5 more Imbels. (So what? we'll just eat soupbeans for a couple of months).
There, that should do it. I'll just build these 6 kits...and quit...maybe get some Izzy wood...and quit...and, wait!...the wife is calling.....it's time to take my medication!!
See Ya,
Hodad
I decided to get a Grade I kit from Dan's on the chance of getting lucky,and I wanted a different type to go with the G1 kit I already had. In the meantime I started to collect all the tools needed to complete a "Build" with the best chance of success (us old men need all the help we can get).
I got all the tools Casey Elliott sells; Sizing Rods, steel receiver wrench, and the barrel vise with A&B bushings. Thanks Casey, these tools are works of art and cute as a basket of speckled pups. Brownells supplied the headspace gauges.
The first week of March I got the backordered Grade I from Dan. It looked as if some dummy ran an almost new rifle thru a ChopSaw. I thought about that flash hider for 2 days, then grabbed that sucker up and had it off in less than 5 minutes.
This is how I did it:
1. Took a 1/2"-20 x 1" hex-head bolt (with some flatwashers so it wouldn't touch the muzzle) and screwed it in tight where the blank adapter goes on the flash hider.
2. Held the barrel suspended in one hand and a 2lb. Brass hammer in the other, hit the head of the bolt 4 or 5 good licks (like driving 20 penny nails).
3. Put the barrel in the vise with a couple of lead blocks and tightened close to the flash hider.
4. Used my thinned down 11/16" open-end wrench which I had Dremeled open to fit the flats on that little devil and a 3/4" box-end wrench and turned them like a T-Handle.
5. It took maybe 25 to 30 ft/lbs and off it came, no pop, no strain, no oil soaking, no heat and no twisting the whole barrel from breech to muzzle!
Here is what happened:
When the flash hider was first installed, it was torqued hard against the flat shoulder behind the threads on the barrel. Over time, heat from firing, etc. It got tighter.
Striking against the shoulder loosens the seat and takes some strain off the threads, therefore making it easier to unscrew.
The only thing I can see that would hurt using this procedure is: If you miss the bolt head and hit your hand with the hammer.
With all this being said, I couldn't believe it was that easy! I NEEDED TO EXPERMENT!!!
Being a rational person, and not a faloholic by any means, an order was sent to Dan's for 2 Grade III's.
I figured by having more wear than Grade I, the flash hider would be tighter.
They arrived last week and I took up my trusty hammer and went to work. I WAS RIGHT!! It took every bit of 35 to 40 ft/lbs to break them loose using the same procedure as before. I was overjoyed! Here was something I could share with the folks on FAL Files. You will note that the Dremel was used to make the wrench (Thank you, thank you, King Jeter), maybe I can get into the WECSOG!!
There ain't no way I was just lucky, cause I ain't never been lucky 3 times in a row. Try it, it worked for me.
While trying to figure how to post pictures and if anyone would be interested in this action, I suddenly realized there was something terribly wrong!!! Things were out of balance!!! I had 3 Imbel kits and only 1 G1!!!
I ran to my computer, pulled up TAPCO's site and ordered 2 of the $99.99 G1 kit specials. Whew, that was close. Then I remembered I only had 1 Imbel receiver for 6 kits!! so I called Harlan and ordered 5 more Imbels. (So what? we'll just eat soupbeans for a couple of months).
There, that should do it. I'll just build these 6 kits...and quit...maybe get some Izzy wood...and quit...and, wait!...the wife is calling.....it's time to take my medication!!
See Ya,
Hodad