Flash hider removal

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rimfire22

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I'm having a difficult time removing the flash hider. I clamped the barrel down in my vise using the Tacticool22 barrel vise jaws, applied a few drops of liquid wrench to the FH threads (not the threads directly of course, but on the crush washer), and heated the FH up using a heat gun.

But when I turn the FH counterclockwise, the barrel and upper turn with it (and I stop applying pressure the moment I see this movement). Just how tight is it safe to clamp the barrel? I obviously don't want to damage the barrel.

I already have a bit of aluminum sheen on the barrel from the vise jaws. I assume that will rub out with some oil, or maybe a brass brush and some oil?

Should I be giving the wrench a sharp tap with a hammer (a la an impact driver) rather than trying to apply steady pressure?
 
Majorlk said:
If the barrel turns, the vice jaws are not tight enough. Also, instead of applying constant pressure to the FH, put the wrench on the flats and rap the end of the wrench with a short length of 2x4.
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I'll crank the vise down on the barrel some more. I suppose the aluminum vise jaws will deform before the barrel is damaged by the pressure from the vise?

97catintenn said:
Mine was on crazy tight too. When my barrel moved it lost some of the finish on the barrel. Oh, well...it did finally come loose.
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I wonder if it's the barrel finish or aluminum from the vise jaws.

I guess this is S&W's way of telling us they'd rather we didn't modify the 15-22.
 
Rundover said:
Does the factory use Locktight on the flash hider?
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That's a good question & if they do then how does knowing it help ?
I can see wanting to change mine at some point . wonder what a gun smith would charge ?
 
I didn't notice any locktight when I removed mined. It was just torqued.

rimfire, I had rags on my keeping my jaws off the barrel so Im pretty sure it removed the finished.
 
micocyco said:
That's a good question & if they do then how does knowing it help ?
I can see wanting to change mine at some point . wonder what a gun smith would charge ?
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MAKE SURE THE GUNSMITH KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH A 15-22. THE VAST MAJORITY DON'T, AND WILL JUST CLAMP THE RECEIVER IN A VICE, THEREBY DESTROYING IT WHEN THE BARREL ROTATES!!!!

Yes, I am shouting because there are multiple stories in the forum of ignorant gunsmiths and users doing exactly that!
 
rimfire22 said:
I'll crank the vise down on the barrel some more. I suppose the aluminum vise jaws will deform before the barrel is damaged by the pressure from the vise?

I wonder if it's the barrel finish or aluminum from the vise jaws.

I guess this is S&W's way of telling us they'd rather we didn't modify the 15-22.
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1 - you are not going to deform the barrel
2 - the aluminum will rub of onto the barrel and it can be removed.
3 - that is an invalid assumption.

there are a couple of dozen threads on this very subject. Do a search and read some of them. :)
 
Majorlk said:
MAKE SURE THE GUNSMITH KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH A 15-22. THE VAST MAJORITY DON'T, AND WILL JUST CLAMP THE RECEIVER IN A VICE, THEREBY DESTROYING IT WHEN THE BARREL ROTATES!!!!

Yes, I am shouting because there are multiple stories in the forum of ignorant gunsmiths and users doing exactly that!
Click to expand...

HEY..... I wasn't ignorant when I did it! I knew it could happen! I just didn't realize it took so little pressure! :D
 
Majorlk said:
1 - you are not going to deform the barrel
2 - the aluminum will rub of onto the barrel and it can be removed.
3 - that is an invalid assumption.

there are a couple of dozen threads on this very subject. Do a search and read some of them. :)
Click to expand...

The Aluminum marks come off easily with a rough sponge/nylon and brass brushes/terry cloth and some oil.

The clamps made it effortless.
 
I removed and reinstalled my flash hider in order to put on an A2-style front sight. I took a couple of pieces of wood, made a sandwich with my barrel, and clamped it tight into the vise. Then put a wrench on the flash hider, whacked the wrench with a hammer, and popped it loose. No trouble at all. Installed the A2 front sight, and then just reinstalled the flash hider and torqued it back down.
 
Majorlk said:
MAKE SURE THE GUNSMITH KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH A 15-22. THE VAST MAJORITY DON'T, AND WILL JUST CLAMP THE RECEIVER IN A VICE, THEREBY DESTROYING IT WHEN THE BARREL ROTATES!!!!

Yes, I am shouting because there are multiple stories in the forum of ignorant gunsmiths and users doing exactly that!
Click to expand...

I want a couple of the barrels w/ejector from these. anyone know where they can be had?
 
I don't understand why some of the flash hiders are so tight. A crush washer provides only around 20 Ft. Lbs of torque.
If the barrel starts to turn, you vise is not tight enough.
If a little aluminum transfers, use some cold blue paste. It will eat the aluminum.
Never ever, ever, hold the upper to tighten or loosen the flash hider, muzzle brake, barrel nut or hand guard converter nut.
 
Majorlk said:
FWIW, S&W says they do not use LocTite on the threaded barrels.
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So maybe they use some other brand of adhesive? Whatever they are doing, it seems like there are enough people having problems with taking off the flash hider that they should reevaluate their assembly process.
 
telero said:
So maybe they use some other brand of adhesive? Whatever they are doing, it seems like there are enough people having problems with taking off the flash hider that they should reevaluate their assembly process.
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Then you guys would cry about the flash hider coming loose all the time:eek:
 
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