Removing stuck flash hider

[WBAR]

I want to replace the stock flash hider on my 16" Spikes AR with a Miculek. However, the darn thing is "frozen" tight in place & won't budge. What solvent or oil would you use to soak the end of the barrel in? Thanks. WB

[Not_A_Llama]

Kroil. Though I think in my case, it merely downgraded the operation from "impossible" to "incredibly difficult".

More importantly, go in with the biggest, most stable vise and receiver block you have.

When I took my carboned-on Phantom off my old barrel, I needed a cheater bar, and I managed to burn myself on the hider when it came off (friction + energy).

Edit: I actually clamped my FSB when I did it. It woulda killed my receiver.

[BPTactical]

Heavy duty 3/4" wrench and cheater bar = bent barrel, snapped receiver nose or twisted barrel.
Did you consider it may be silver soldered or pinned and welded or possibly LocTited? If it is fixed with Rocksett it will need to be soaked in water for a couple of days and then heated to break it loose.
Put a LITTLE heat to it, just enough to where it starts to smoke a little and give it a try. If it doesn't break loose STOP and give me a call.

[WBAR]

Thanks for the replies. It is not pinned, but don't know if locktite was used by Spikes. I tried a hair dryer for heat and no luck. The Kroil sounds promising or the 2 day water soak. WB

[BPTactical]

Try the Kroil first. Don't water soak it unless you are relatively sure Rocksett was used, typically it is only used on suppressor QD's. A hair dryer will not produce enough heat, you need a propane torch at the least.

[SideShow Bob]

Or a heat gun, industrial heat guns put out plenty of Heat, hot enough to melt mechanical solder, without the flames.

[Great-Kazoo]

Try the Kroil first. Don't water soak it unless you are relatively sure Rocksett was used, typically it is only used on suppressor QD's. A hair dryer will not produce enough heat, you need a propane torch at the least.

one of these. unless your flash hider just came back from the salon you are wasting time with a hair dryer. i have a 3 temp selector heat gun. the 1st is a tad pricey for a single time user.
#2 is the cheaper way to go for single use items from HF.
the right tool for the job. OR
How much and How long..
is why there are competent, experienced, referenced folks to do it correct the first time (ok, 99% of the time, there are some things that just will not work with you ) so you don't post Can some one help me with this i had an oops??

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM5868342702P?prdNo=24&blockNo=24&blockType=G24#desc

http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-watt-dual-temperature-heat-gun-572-1112-96289.html

[BPTactical]

Or a heat gun, industrial heat guns put out plenty of Heat, hot enough to melt mechanical solder, without the flames.

We are just gonna call you "SolderBlobJobBob" from now on................[Coffee]

[ray1970]

One of my favorite techniques for really stubborn things like that is to just cut them and split them, assuming you don't mind destroying the flash hider. Bert will probably scold me for using the "D" word, but take a dremel tool with a cut-off wheel and split that sucker lengthwise in two places. Be careful not to cut into the barrel. Usually, I will stop just short of cutting completely through the nut (or flash hider in this case) and then split it off in two pieces with a chisel.

If you're not good with tools or you don't have a ton of patience, I would definitely recommend seeking some professional help.

[TFOGGER]

+1 for Kroil. I have used that stuff to take apart stuff that NOTHING else would move. Recently I had a rear spindle nut on an MV Agusta that a 3/4 inch air impact gun wouldn't budge(1400+ft/lb). Shot it with Kroil, and less than 5 minutes later it came loose with my 1/2 inch gun. Amazing stuff.

[WBAR]

OK, guys- thanks to your instructions I'm soaking my barrel in Kroil- oops, I mean my AR's barrel! [ROFL2] WB

[colorider]

PBlaster may also work. sometimes a little heat will help.

[WBAR]

Well, the Kroil did its job- that and a barrel vice. Thanks for all the advice.

[BPTactical]

[Beer] Glad you got it.
A touch of Anti-Seize on the threads will prevent this from re-occuring in the future.

[jackthewall81]

I simply hold a lighter under the flash hider threads for about 40 seconds and then twist. Comes right off.

[Tim8204]

If it's been install with red locktite, you need a propane torch.

[StagLefty]

Doesn't anyone look at the post dates anymore ? 7 months old !!!