Help removing muzzle device on NEA
- Thread starter boren93
- Start date
I ran into that once. Muzzle widget torqued on so tight it would not come loose, barrel extension only hand tight.....
How are you holding the barrel so as to unscrew the muzzle widget? If it's by hand.........well it's just not going to happen.
Clamp the barrel in a vice, preferably one with contoured jaws, and then wrench that bad boy off.
In the case of an NEA barrel I would avoid using a Geiselle reaction rod or a Magpul BEV block, you risk unscrewing the barrel from the barrel extension.......
How are you holding the barrel so as to unscrew the muzzle widget? If it's by hand.........well it's just not going to happen.
Clamp the barrel in a vice, preferably one with contoured jaws, and then wrench that bad boy off.
In the case of an NEA barrel I would avoid using a Geiselle reaction rod or a Magpul BEV block, you risk unscrewing the barrel from the barrel extension.......
Righty tighty, lefty loosy. You can't really unscrew the barrel as there are no threads keeping it in place on the barrel extension. The only thing preventing it from rotating left/right is an index pin on the barrel extension. The barrel nut keeps it locked into place.
Using a vise without a barrel clamp can lead to some ugly markings if you manage to get the muzzle device off.
Malice pointed out a couple great tools to aid in removing the device and avoid warping your receiver if it is unsupported if excess force is required.
Using a vise without a barrel clamp can lead to some ugly markings if you manage to get the muzzle device off.
Malice pointed out a couple great tools to aid in removing the device and avoid warping your receiver if it is unsupported if excess force is required.
Sorry, I have to correct you on that......
Normally, the barrel extension is torqued onto the barrel at 150 ft/lbs, then the index pin is inserted. Some people set the index pin into the threads, but it's sole purpose is to index, not lock the extension to the barrel The barrel nut then holds the barrel extension into the receiver.
If your barrel was not torqued to the extension properly at the factory, it's possible to unscrew the barrel completely from the extension and leave the extension and the barrel nut attached to the receiver.
Providing the extension was installed properly at the factory, using a reaction rod or BEV block is perfectly fine (your muzzle widget should not be tightened anywhere close to 150ft/lbs). However, as that I've seen it happen to NEA barrels, I would be more inclined to use contoured vice blocks to clamp the barrel.....
But like Trinimon said; righty-tighty, lefty-loosey
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The barrel needs to be secured, and a properly fitting wrench applied to the flash hider. Holding the upper receiver and reefing on the FH is asking for trouble.
Proper barrel blocks or a barrel vise are much better than an ordinary vice with its jaws padded with leather or cloth.
Proper barrel blocks or a barrel vise are much better than an ordinary vice with its jaws padded with leather or cloth.
Sorry, I have to correct you on that......
Normally, the barrel extension is torqued onto the barrel at 150 ft/lbs, then the index pin is inserted. Some people set the index pin into the threads, but it's sole purpose is to index, not lock the extension to the barrel The barrel nut then holds the barrel extension into the receiver.
If your barrel was not torqued to the extension properly at the factory, it's possible to unscrew the barrel completely from the extension and leave the extension and the barrel nut attached to the receiver.
DOH! When I read your post, I thought you meant that the barrel was screwed into the upper receiver. My bad and I stand corrected.
Just hit up one of the dealers here for a Magpul BEV block. It's a multi-function tool that is worth its weight in gold and should only run you around $50-$60.
Vise clamp/block will run you around $25-$30 for the unlined ones and $60. for the non-marring rubber lined ones. They have their short comings ie you need about 4" of clear barrel space to attach the blocks. It's a one trick pony tool. For a few $ more, the BEV block will do more and better. Not discounting the barrel vise block, I used mine and it served it's purpose. The drawback to the BEV is that it is for ARs only or if your receiver takes stanag mags.
