A question about front sights/flash hiders/brakes

computermike

computermike

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I'm living in the sticks on an acreage West of Edm
I have a shortie that I'm looking to change out the flash hider and front sight. Ultimately I would like to shorten the overall length some so size will play a big part in what I decide on. I want to set it up as a dedicated irons quick shot rifle with plans to shoot to 300 yards. The setup currently on the rifle is the basic flash hider with bayonet lug. I picked it up at Hungry's clinic in Calgary knowing I wanted to bust the original loose and would more than likely damage or at least mar the original getting it off. It was a good call as a errant hammer blow mush the dove tail for the front sight pretty good. I could still file it back to useable condition but I'm not sure its worth saving. After the clinic I bought a 14s to go with the shortie and I will be removing the flash hider as soon as I get it. If it comes off easy I really have no need to buy another one for either rifle other than I like to tinker. If it comes off hard I will take the flash hider off the shortie, put it on the 14s and buy something to replace it. The 14s will get scoped and be used for distances past 300 yards.

My conundrum is not having used some of the options out there its tough to decide what to go with and I was hoping someone had some input into the pros and cons of each that I might not have thought of.

So, here is what I have on the shortie now:

mgr-047.jpg


I'm considering a few options. First up, the USGI Coast Guard Brake from SEI. Its the longest of the bunch and also the most expensive. It has the advantage of also incorporating the front sight.

seicoastguradbrake.jpg




The next option is the M14 Adaptor, Castle Nut Type paired with a shorter brake or flash hider not necessarily this exact one but shown just to illustrate a final size estimate

m14adaptor01.lg.png

images.jpg


Third option is a gas lock front sight also using a shorter brake or flash hider

2012gaslock01.lg.jpg

139529.jpg


Part of me is saying just use the flash hider I already have, leave it alone and don't worry about my #### falling off. On the other hand the M14 platform is addictive and I love to tinker.

Not having shot some (any) of these options I would value any feedback or insight anyone can lend. I really like the way the shortie shoots and I have a hard time putting it away when I'm at the range.

Mike
 
My solution was to cut and thread a 22" barrel down to 18.5". A Dlask bull brake in 1/2x28 .30 cal, then with a little magic with the mill and a tig torch and the front sight dovetail now sits on my gas system :D
A gas lock sight would do the same IF you can find one for a chinese barrel. Also the standard barrel shortened and threaded 1/2x28 gives you a LOT more muzzle device options.
 
45ACPKING said:
My solution was to cut and thread a 22" barrel down to 18.5". A Dlask bull brake in 1/2x28 .30 cal, then with a little magic with the mill and a tig torch and the front sight dovetail now sits on my gas system :D
A gas lock sight would do the same IF you can find one for a chinese barrel. Also the standard barrel shortened and threaded 1/2x28 gives you a LOT more muzzle device options.
Click to expand...

See, this is exactly what I was talking about. So the chinese barrels are different size? If I'd thought about it a bit more I would have figured that out. At the clinic Hungry had some USGI gas locks we couldn't use as they didn't fit. Well that narrows the options some at least. :)
 
m14 adapter w/ castle nut gets my vote. I want one bad.

TONS of 5/8"-24 muzzle devices out there. Not as many as 1/2x28, but close
BABC battle comp
pws triad
pws ar-10
surefire mb72 + flash hiders
effin a comp

that being said though, I love my NM flash hider's ping.
 
Here's what I did so far on my shortie at the muzzle end:
M1A Springfield Armory muzzle break (it goes ka-BOOOOM!)with a Dlask adjustable gas lock
IMGP3985.jpg
 
Yes it is. A Norinco M305 shorty. I bought it beginning of last month from CanadaAmmo at the HACS meet. I also installed a M1A Springfield Armory rear sight, replaced the spring rod (should I replace the spring too?) and a Boyd's stock. Now I have to go to the range and sight it all in.
IMGP3998.jpg
 
That's a great looking rifle Marcus. I put the same brake on my shorty. The original was not welded and came off fairly easily.
I found Springfield to be incredibly easy to deal with and I received my order in less than a week.
I just purchased a USGI stock and am waiting for that to arrive. I now think I also want a wood one like yours to go Old School once in a while.

What purpose does the adjustable gas lock serve?
 
mississaugagunnut said:
That's a great looking rifle Marcus. I put the same brake on my shorty. The original was not welded and came off fairly easily.
I found Springfield to be incredibly easy to deal with and I received my order in less than a week.
I just purchased a USGI stock and am waiting for that to arrive. I now think I also want a wood one like yours to go Old School once in a while.

What purpose does the adjustable gas lock serve?
Click to expand...

Good question.. I know how an adjustable port thingy works but I cant work out why an adjustable gas lock...Probably missing something really simple here :) But it dont hurt to ask.
 
mississaugagunnut said:
What purpose does the adjustable gas lock serve?
Click to expand...

I had a chance to examine that Dlask adjustable gas lock and found it really interesting. That nut/lock allows you to torque down on the gas cylinder assembly and never have to shim the gas system in place. Now you have a tight assembly vibrating as ONE unit on the barrrel to facilitate barrel harmonics during the firing of the cartridge. Really neat!

Cheers,
Barney
 
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