M&P 15-22 PISTOL version - barrel removal?

[th159357]

Wondering if anyone can tell me how to remove the barrel or flash hider on the 15-22 PISTOL? Any tips, techniques, videos, tools, etc. My main goal is just to remove the flash hider on the end of the barrel.

I've watched several videos on how to do this on the 15-22 RIFLE with a 16 inch barrel where you can use some tools made by tacticool22 (Barrel Vise Jaws and Barrel Nut Wrench) including the barrel clamps for the vise to hold the barrel still, but the problem with the pistol version (6inch barrel) is there isn't any extra barrel after the handguard to grab/clamp on to and all the tools are too long (they completely cover the barrel). See pic of 15-22 PISTOL and you can see what I mean is the problem here.
I'm very concerned if I don't isolate the barrel and put too much force on the flash hider its going to damage the "plastic" upper the barrel is connected to. I've heard about folks damaging their plastic uppers by not isolating the barrel with clamps before putting any pressure on the barrel or flash hider trying to remove them. S&W doesn't make these pistols anymore so I absolutely do not want to damage it. Please help.

 

[telero]

The safest way would be to cut the factory hand guard off so you can get the barrel in a vise. Then get a Tacticool22 hand guard converter nut and put on a different hand guard. I've done it without cutting off the handguard, and it's a bit nerve-racking.

 

[Luke79]

The flash hider on my rifle was way tighter than I ever would have expected. I was prepared from reading here that it could be tight. I think cutting down the factory hand guard to get a sufficient grip on the barrel is a good plan. I used a vise grip over a pair of leather gloves to grasp the barrel. Dumb idea. Scratched it pretty good even though I had put a lot of heat from a torch on the fh. Could have been more patient and brought it to work but I wanted to try out the slide fire stock I had just bought. Fortunately a barrel shroud from tacticool hides dummy marks like that

 

[shawnr5]

I just took a wrench to my 15-22P. It wasn't on all that tight. I also added a Tacticool22.com barrel nut adapter and a 7" keymod hand guard.

 

[jsha22lr]

How much of a gap do you have with the keymod handguard?

 

[shawnr5]

The gap is only about 1/8".

 

[Luke79]

I put the 12 inch version of that hand guard on my rifle. I like it. What afg is that in your picture? The one on the pistol

 

[Jayspec]

I just took a wrench to my 15-22P. It wasn't on all that tight. I also added a Tacticool22.com barrel nut adapter and a 7" keymod hand guard.

What rifle is that on the right ?

 

[Mall Ninja]

I just took a wrench to my 15-22P. It wasn't on all that tight. I also added a Tacticool22.com barrel nut adapter and a 7" keymod hand guard.

You might want to take down this pic, if that M&P rifle, with the, "pistol brace" isnt on a Form 1 as an SBR. Its NOT legal to convert a rifle into a pistol. Since S&W doesnt offer stripped receivers, there is literally no legal way to have the combination on the left without being title II...

 

[Mall Ninja]

What rifle is that on the right ?

CZ Scorpion

 

[CZU]

You might want to take down this pic, if that M&P rifle, with the, "pistol brace" isnt on a Form 1 as an SBR. Its NOT legal to convert a rifle into a pistol. Since S&W doesnt offer stripped receivers, there is literally no legal way to have the combination on the left without being title II...

That looks like a pistol with a brace to me..no stamp needed.

 

[Mall Ninja]

That looks like a pistol with a brace to me..no stamp needed.

Negative, pistol lowers do not have receiver extensions. Once a rifle, always a rifle.

 

[Newhouse]

Negative, pistol lowers do not have receiver extensions. Once a rifle, always a rifle.

That is a pistol. Mallninja I remember shawnr5 reading awhile back his writeup on converting his pistol to accept the tube extension.

 

[stickbug1]

I did this a few years ago to put a longer hand guard on. Decided the safest way was to make a custom set of tools.

 

[ThruNthru]

S&W MP15-22 Pistol Flash Suppressor Removal and Barrel Removal

See the attached file to see steps on how I did it.

 

[GhostMutt]

See the attached file to see steps on how I did it.

Possibly the most informative and inventive post i've seen on here for many a moon...just wish we could have the 15-22 pistol in the UK.

 

[Newhouse]

See the attached file to see steps on how I did it.

Nice first post and welcome to the forum.

 

[Veridigm]

Dremel

Mine came with a Magpul forend with MOE slots so couldn't use the do the dowel trick to clamp the barrel. I ended up taking my Dremel with a cut off wheel to the forend with the flash hider still attached. I cut away enough of the forend to get a Vise grip on the barrel.
Had to clamp the bare barrel because the leather padding I was using kept slipping.
Got the flash hider really hot and it was still a bear to get off.
Scratched the **** out of the barrel with the Vise grips, but now I have a suppressor and the remainder of the Magpul MOE forend still on, works great!

 

[strobro32]

Mine came with a Magpul forend with MOE slots so couldn't use the do the dowel trick to clamp the barrel.

I used flat aluminum stock in the same way as ThruNthru, for my 2021 pistol.

 

[Gliych]

The safest way would be to cut the factory hand guard off so you can get the barrel in a vise. Then get a Tacticool22 hand guard converter nut and put on a different hand guard. I've done it without cutting off the handguard, and it's a bit nerve-racking.