If a break has been pinned can it be removed without damage to the barrel? If so, is it a difficult (DIY) job? About how much would a smith charge?
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Gunsmithing Pinned Break
- Thread starter Lead Heads
- Start date
Re: Pinned Break
From what I know of pinned brakes or flash hiders is that they are usually also welded. You should be able to get in off without damaging the barrel. If your barrel is long enough it might be easier to cut and crown the barrel. A gunsmith would likely charge you by the hour for the removal. I've got know clue on how hard they are to remove. Never owned one and never will.
From what I know of pinned brakes or flash hiders is that they are usually also welded. You should be able to get in off without damaging the barrel. If your barrel is long enough it might be easier to cut and crown the barrel. A gunsmith would likely charge you by the hour for the removal. I've got know clue on how hard they are to remove. Never owned one and never will.
Re: Pinned Break
The best answer is, it depends.
I have had good luck with a cut off wheel and a Dremel. Grind down the weld until you see the full diameter of the pin. After you reach that point, you can unscrew the brake and the pin will protrude up.
The variables are the tricky part.
How tight the pin fits the hole.
How deep it sits it the barrel.
How much weld they put over it when it was welded.
If you are careful, you can reuse the brake and the barrel. Sometimes it is necessary to sacrifice the brake though.
The best answer is, it depends.
I have had good luck with a cut off wheel and a Dremel. Grind down the weld until you see the full diameter of the pin. After you reach that point, you can unscrew the brake and the pin will protrude up.
The variables are the tricky part.
How tight the pin fits the hole.
How deep it sits it the barrel.
How much weld they put over it when it was welded.
If you are careful, you can reuse the brake and the barrel. Sometimes it is necessary to sacrifice the brake though.
Re: Pinned Break
What I've done:
1. Grind the weld off and using a TIG welder I tack weld a rod to the pin so I can yank it out of the hole with a slide hammer.
2. Grind the weld and machine the pin out in the mill.
Just be sure the pin is completely removed prior to any attempt to remove the brake. Failure to do so will almost certainly result in a horrible mess that will get real expensive real quick.
What I've done:
1. Grind the weld off and using a TIG welder I tack weld a rod to the pin so I can yank it out of the hole with a slide hammer.
2. Grind the weld and machine the pin out in the mill.
Just be sure the pin is completely removed prior to any attempt to remove the brake. Failure to do so will almost certainly result in a horrible mess that will get real expensive real quick.
Re: Pinned Break
Thanks guys. Going to give it a try. The worse thing that could happen is I end up buying a barrel.
Thanks guys. Going to give it a try. The worse thing that could happen is I end up buying a barrel.
Re: Pinned Break
I do this on AR-15's on a weekly basis.
My method is to grind/mill/turn through the pin and the brake until I just get down real close or even slightly into the threads.
At that point, I can usually tap on one side of the remaining piece of pin and it will come out.
Then I thead the old muzzle device off.
Pictures of removed muzzle devices will tell the whole story:
I have taken off well over 100 permanent muzzle devices and not trashed a barrel yet.
I do this on AR-15's on a weekly basis.
My method is to grind/mill/turn through the pin and the brake until I just get down real close or even slightly into the threads.
At that point, I can usually tap on one side of the remaining piece of pin and it will come out.
Then I thead the old muzzle device off.
Pictures of removed muzzle devices will tell the whole story:
I have taken off well over 100 permanent muzzle devices and not trashed a barrel yet.
