Flash Hider Popped Off!

[rzmitch]

Like many Norc M14 owners, I always wanted to remove my flash hider! I was confused as to where to start...are there 2 or 3 weld spots, where exactly are they? etc, etc,... I watched some guys drilling theirs out at the Edmonton Clinic and it looked like a major job needing stock shares in a drill bit company!

Last night my pal pops by and suggests we do the job! We put lacquer thinner on the ring behind the sights to see if anything shows up (weldmark wise) and nothing...we run 400 grit paper around the circle and nothing. We take a file and start working our way around and nothing. Hmmmm?

So we unlock the set screw (tiny allen key), then turn the castle nut out as far as it will go, and with me holding the rifle in my hands and him tapping it with a small punch and a ball peen hammer...each time as it moves a bit we unscrew the castle nut a hair more and then...It Pops Right Off! Inside we could see the 2 (two not three) weld marks at 5 and 7 O'clock (12 being the sight at the top) that just let go!

Point of the story? If you're afraid of a messy job and are avoiding the flash hider removal...just try the method I've shown above! You just may be one of the guys who are lucky and have it pop off like mine did! Then go buy a lotto ticket! LOL
Mitch

 

[wcmd]

Good job Mitch,
wcmd.

 

[rzmitch]

Thanks Bill...and by the way, the walnut stock you got me is finishing up great with Tung Oil...will post some pics shortly!

 

[wcmd]

Thanks Mitch,
Enjoy the addiction!!
wcmd

 

[millwright]

OK Mitch now what are the numbers on the left side of the receiver below the stock line?Jim

 

[rzmitch]

Will check tonight when I get home and post them Jim!
M

 

[millwright]

Thank you Sir.

 

[BattleRife]

I just shot mine off. The castle nut was one notch short of being snug, and recoil broke the welds loose within 500 rounds.

 

[rzmitch]

Jim...it reads as follows:
M14S.308
GJASFLOMICH
#002267
Mitch

 

[TheWharGoul]

I just shot mine off. The castle nut was one notch short of being snug, and recoil broke the welds loose within 500 rounds.

Mine did the same thing.. I put probably around 600-700 through it and it started to wobble. it wasnt until the clinic that I actually removed it though.

 

[millwright]

Hi.Mitch Thanks for the info but the numbers I'm wondering about are under the stock on the left side of the receiver.The ones you quoted I'm sure are above the stock on the left. I'm just looking to verify if the first number is a 3 or a 4. I've posted before about my flashhider findings and was just trying to confirm that if it is a 3, there was a run of poor welding (good for us) on the hiders.Sorry for the length of this post.Jim

 

[rzmitch]

You're right Jim...my mistake ...it starts with a 3 !!!
Mitch

 

[Ljungman]

I had to cut mine almost in half to get it off. No matter though, nice M1A one there now WITH the bayo lug.

 

[millwright]

Thanks Mitch,have a nice weekend.

 

[skoalbandit]

Why do they need to be removed? My new one shot great today.

 

[millwright]

Some people remove them to tighten up (shim the gas system) or flip the gas lock (which did the tightening up with out shimming for me).Others like to add a different type/style of hider.

 

[skoalbandit]

Some people remove them to tighten up (shim the gas system) or flip the gas lock (which did the tightening up with out shimming for me).Others like to add a different type/style of hider.

Thanks. This is my first one so lots to learn.