Removing pinned/welded muzzle brake?

[trbon8r]

Are there any gunsmiths around this area that can remove a pinned and welded Klinton era muzzle brake from an FAL without ruining the barrel? I'd like to replace the noise maker with an STG58 flash suppressor and start shooting this rifle that has been neglected for many years.

 

[vin]

You should be able to do it yourself if you are so inclined, with a dremel. The pin, goes through a hole in the muzzle device, and into a not fully through, dimpled hole in the barrel, then is welded over on the outside of the brake or flash hider. Grinding into the pin spot on the brake should let go of the pin, then you should be able to remove and replace.

I am assuming that your barrel is 16"+ here and that you will not be running afoul of the NFA.

 

[Vile Shadow]

Would that mean he'd have to get the barrel reparked or reblued?

 

[Pinecone]

Not typically. The current muzzle device will be pretty trashed.

The fun part may be FINDING the pin ends.

 

[Vile Shadow]

Not typically. The current muzzle device will be pretty trashed.

The fun part may be FINDING the pin ends.

I just took a look at my Bushmaster. It's got an 11.5" barrel with a 5" flash suppressor. Whoever attached that did a hell of a job because I couldn't find even a hint of pin ends.

That may require quite a bit of hunting with a grinder to take the finish off, and even then they may not appear.

 

[Franklin]

Would be easier to find if you hone the finish off with wet sand paper or a wire wheel. The weld marks will be easier to see anyway.

 

[vin]

Mine is pretty easy to spot on my BCM upper. It's centerline on the underside, maybe 1/4" from the "bottom" of the flash hider.

 

[Pinecone]

If it was done right, you will need to find both ends.

If you don't care about the current flash hider, just start grinding.

 

[Ranger Tom]

Bollenger's in Taneytown.

 

[Striknine]

I used a hacksaw to remove my capped VEPR. Found the pin and just slowly cut down into the pin and it came out after a few minutes. No marks on the barrel. The new brake covered the groove from the old pin.
You can do it just take your time.