CA Compliant Barrel Thread Protector Removal

[SLNerheim]

I just bought a CA compliant M&P 10 - .308 and it came with a thread protector cap and what appears to be a retaining ring at the end of the barrel. It is LEGAL in CA to have a muzzle brake, so I want to remove the thread protector(s) but cannot get them to budge. Smith & Wesson question & answer told me that they do not come off, but I find this hard to believe. Does anyone have experience removing these things?

[NewLiberty]

It's likely that it has a "permanent" installation method done on it, such as a pin & weld.

[SLNerheim]

Even though Smith & Wesson told me that the thread protector cap is NOT removable, I took the rifle to a gunsmith who was able to remove it fairly easily - at least that's what he told me. Now I can attach a muzzle brake.

[rct269]

Sounds like the rear sight attaching screw (tiny little things) on pre-war M&P Targets---that have been there for a LOOOOOOOOOOOONG time.

Off I go to my gunsmith! Ten minutes and $20 later it's loose.

"It's amazing what a little heat will do!", he explains.

Ralph Tremaine

[153]

There is a reason that the thread protector is “permanently” attached by the factory. The clue is in the words California Compliant.