Colt HBAR Compensator QUESTION

**AlA556** · August 13th, 2011, 09:25 AM

I have a Colt Target Match Rifle with a 20" heavy barrel. It has that god awlful compensator on the barrel that appears to be pinned on. I want to replace that with a birdcage flash hider. Is the barrel threaded underneath or will I have to have it threaded? HELP!
Thanks!

**The_War_Wagon** · August 13th, 2011, 09:48 AM

Any competent 'smittys in your area? They could tell you and how what would be involved.

Why replace it with a birdcage? There are some great new f/h out there, and while a $400 KAC might be overkill, even a YHM Phantomcomp looks better, and for only $28 +/-.

**tacticalreload** · August 13th, 2011, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by AlA556

I have a Colt Target Match Rifle with a 20" heavy barrel. It has that god awlful compensator on the barrel that appears to be pinned on. I want to replace that with a birdcage flash hider. Is the barrel threaded underneath or will I have to have it threaded? HELP!
Thanks!

Usually, yes, it's threaded. Are your thoughts that you'd remove the pin and then screw on a flash hider? There are a couple of things to consider.
(1) The comp may also be welded -- it's usually not, but it's possible.
(2) There is almost always some sort of loctite on there that will need to be heated to loosen.
(3) You might not be able to get the pin out with a punch... it might need to be drilled out.
(4) I would be prepared that, in a worst case, you might need to send it off to be cut, crowned, and rethreaded. If you're okay with that, then have at it.

**AlA556** · August 13th, 2011, 09:57 PM

Thanks for your help. I think I will let a gunsmith take it from here.

**cdi** · August 14th, 2011, 12:22 PM

I did two of them in the last few months- both were the carbine version w/16" barrels.
Neither one was threaded under that god-awful compensator. The pins were not an issue to drive out, no adhesive was used.
I threaded both barrels and installed proper flash hiders with no trouble at all.