AR Flash Surppressor Removal

[bgeddes]

I'd like to remove the flash suppressor from my AR. Is this something a job for a smith, or can I do it at home without screwing up my AR? Pretty sure it is just threaded on as it is a 20" barrel.

[bogey1]

just a wrench...

[Policraticus]

Use the wrench on the flatsides of the FS and not the ports. You knew that already of course. Also I think you might need a replacement crush washer to get the timing right which might be a single use item. I've never needed to remove an FS.

[Xringshooter]

Clamp the barrel in a vise before you put the wrench to it. Don't try to do this by holding the upper receiver or the front sight, you could damage them. If you don't have a barrel clamp for your vise, take a block of wood and drill a hole through it that is smaller than the diameter of the barrel. Then cut the wood to cut the hole in half. Put the barrel between the two halves and clamp it in the vise. Then put the wrench on the flats of the flash hider and turn it off.

[1022]

It would be worth double-checking to make sure that the flash-hider is not pinned on...(look for a little discolored spot, usually on the bottom) that could wreck your barrel threads in a hurry. also if the flash-hider has been loc-tited on, you may need to heat it up (a little) Best bet is to use a "box-wrench" (fixed size) rather than adjustable (cresent wrench) if it slips off under high pressure/torque , it is possible to booger up the wrenching flats on the flash-hider

[adsstorm]

Yes the crush washer is a one time thing and I would not recomend them unless you have a compenstator that does not matter on which posititon it is located on the barrel. You may also want to use spacer washers (what I would recomend) if it is a compensator/flash hider that should only be posititoned in a certain way i.e. ports that point up and out not down. You will have to keep taking off the compenstator and adding or removing spacers until you get it right. The treading should be opposite of the rotation of the projectile so it will not work loose, but tighten as you shoot. If you have a rapair manual look at the torque spec of the barrel for the compensator and set to what the manufacture suggests for barrel torque. It will be in inch pounds and I think it is 45 inch pounds, not quit certain though. also lossen and tighten about 3 or 4 times that way the treads set well.

Note if you use a can ( suppressor ) the crush washer will melt and so will lock tight.

[adsstorm]

Have to correct myself the barrel and compensator is a standard right hand thread.