mini-14 muzzle

[robdijohn]

I'm trying to get this off to no prevail. I took out the pin and not sure what that pin even does cause this thing is on there. I just picked this mini up from auction and want to change it up. This is my first time taking one of these off so any suggestions will be great. thanks.

 

[Rei40c]

Hi Rob, I know these are held in place with some kind of compound coating, at least that's how the factory does it. In that case the word is to heat it, and with a BF wrench and perhaps a hammer break it free.

What would trouble me about this on your rifle is this appears to be something someones done aftermarket, and god only knows what they've put in there. People do crazy and sometimes dumb things to their guns. I would really take this to a gunsmith to have it removed.

Perhaps your skills with this kinda thing is higher then mine, but I'd be afraid of- 1. using too much heat and damaging the barrel, and 2. beating the hell out of it and perhaps damaging the barrel that way.

 

[JFB]

It has been a while back, but I removed the front sight and don't remember it being that hard.

So when you try to remove the flash hider, the sight may come off.

 

[robdijohn]

Hi Rob, I know these are held in place with some kind of compound coating, at least that's how the factory does it. In that case the word is to heat it, and with a BF wrench and perhaps a hammer break it free.

What would trouble me about this on your rifle is this appears to be something someones done aftermarket, and god only knows what they've put in there. People do crazy and sometimes dumb things to their guns. I would really take this to a gunsmith to have it removed.

Perhaps your skills with this kinda thing is higher then mine, but I'd be afraid of- 1. using too much heat and damaging the barrel, and 2. beating the hell out of it and perhaps damaging the barrel that way.

I was thinking of using my heat gun a little to see if I can work it loose some. But if not I'll take it to a gunsmith. thanks.

 

[Hugh]

How long will the barrel be with the flash "hider" removed? If it will be less than 16" it could be that is a permanent part of the barrel. If the barrel will be more than 16" it may be removable.

 

[singleshot]

I had one of those aftermarket flash hiders on one of my mini's. It was barely a hand press fit and the pin holding it on. I would think a little soak in some break-free would free you of that thing.

 

[robdijohn]

How long will the barrel be with the flash "hider" removed? If it will be less than 16" it could be that is a permanent part of the barrel. If the barrel will be more than 16" it may be removable.

It's 17 3/4" long and looks like its a seperate piece. I'm going to heat and use some wd40 today on it......... It does shoot really straight presentaly, wonder if changing muzzle/hider out will alter that. :?:

 

[sargents1]

As others have stated, measure the barrel first. If the overall length of the barrel w/out the FH is less than 16in then the FH was probably welded on.

If that is not the case, I would bet that that flash hider is just stuck on from a combination of friction and build up of burnt powder residue. When first installed there is usually some clearance between the FH and the barrel. Whenever you fire the gun, some of the burning gun powder that comes out of the muzzle is forced between the FH and the barrel thru that clearance. Eventually the soot is going to build up and stick the FH to the barrel.

First soak the barrel/FH in some kind of solvent like WD-40 or Break-free. Then try putting a metal dowel (old screwdriver) thru the slots of the pin-on flash hider and then tapping the dowel with a hammer to pull the FH off. Do this gently if you want to keep the FH. Less gently if you dont care about keeping a cheap old Flash hider.

It will probably come right off.

 

[wxl]

Looks like what you have is an after market muzzle brake, not a FH. If you take it off, you may see an increase in muzzle rise and also possibly more barrel whip which could affect accuracy. Just what I have read, no personal experience with them. I had thought about putting one on, but changed my mind.

 

[Rei40c]

Looks like what you have is an after market muzzle brake, not a FH. If you take it off, you may see an increase in muzzle rise and also possibly more barrel whip which could affect accuracy. Just what I have read, no personal experience with them. I had thought about putting one on, but changed my mind.

Agreed, I'm starting to see these here and there on the AR's. I've never really understood why. I've shot a few AR's and I own a Mini-14. Its just that it seems like a solution to a problem that does not really exist. I've always found the recoil very manageable in both but admit less is always a good thing.

In the case of a .308 tactical rifle I think it starts to make much more sense. I was once told the brake can actually increase the flash signature in most of the designs. I can't confirm this, come to think of it I've never fired a rifle with one attached.

 

[wxl]

I've shot next to guys that had muzzle brakes and they are loud as hell and blow hot gas on the guy next them. That's why I decided not to put one on, besides I like a little kick to make me feel like I'm not shooting a 22lr.

 

[Rei40c]

I've shot next to guys that had muzzle brakes and they are loud as hell and blow hot gas on the guy next them. That's why I decided not to put one on, besides I like a little kick to make me feel like I'm not shooting a 22lr.

I hear ya, last trip the the range was in NC. With my Mini-14 in the lane furthest left, and AR-10 (.308) to my right, further down a couple shooting a 10/22 and finally at the end to the right a guy with a bolt .308. With the AR-10 going off beside me I honestly didn't even notice the 10/22 shooting, at best it was almost like an air rifle, with double hearing protection on.

However after three 20 round mags the range when cold and I glanced over and found everyone staring at me. Unknown to me I had been showering my fellow shooters with hot brass. I felt really bad and apologized. I really didn't imagine it would sling the brass all the way down the firing line. I have a standard birdcage so I suppose I'm glad I didn't have a brake even further adding to the annoyance. We where shooting at 160 yards (so said the guy with the range finder), I felt my follow up time to get the site back on the target was just fine. I suppose I can imagine some form of tactical competition shooter might prefer the brake. But in terms of self defense, I think your right on for yanking it off Ron. Let us know how it went breaking it free.

 

[gatling]

I have a muzzle brake on my Mini 14 and the muzzle blast to either side is embarassing when there are others on the range. Seems way out of proportion to that little .223, but I guess 50,000 psi is 50,000 psi regardless of the cartridge that generates it.

 

[blume357]

I think if you just put a wrench behind it and hit that with a hammer it should come loose... I'm pretty sure that is a standard John Mason and is supposed to be just slid on...