M-14 Flash Hider removal, New method.

Since we came up with the system at M14Doctor's place (no disrespect to Navyshooter, looks like we came up with the same idea independently) I will add one more thing to the process of removal. Support the barrel with a block of wood while you are beating on your drift. The downwards force on the barrel is significant and, IMO, could damage the barrel. I also found that, while you can use a drift punch, it is easier to use a square profile block of metal. I went to a metal shop and they sold me a hot rolled piece of steel that was about 1x1 profile and about 15 inches long. I found it easier to keep it on the flash hider when hammering. I was using the handle from my receiver wrench but it started to deform a little and the wrench was too expensive to ruin.

PS Hey, that's me doing the removal. I had no idea that had made it to the internet. Damn I'm good (looking). It is a great video and thanks to the person who made it and posted it up.
 
I bought a couple of specials from Marstar, think they were called Battle Packs:included scope,extra mags etc. quite a while ago. I wanted to install a couple of Springfield compensators. There were no welds but damn if I could get the FHs off. Ended up heating up (with a plumbers blow torch) the FH where it connects with the barrel. My buddy held the torch while tapped it with a brass punch. The first one took a couple of tries but got it off. No damage to the barrel but the FH was scorched. The 2nd one took all of 1 min. Installed the comps and no problems. Anybody had experiences like this?
 
john@ said:
Dlask 4 port comp and Bits of Pieces gas lock front sight.
IMGP3227.JPG
Click to expand...

Hey Guys....

Does the DLASK flash hider used above screw into the Chinese threads used previously? Sorry for the stupid question, but I don't see any mention on the flash hider removal the the barrel was re-tapped.
 
Dlask no longer offers that brake for the m14. It did thread to the original barrel threads and was retained by 3 screws that correspond to the flashider barrel splines.
I have a new front sight option that will be availlable for the shorties in a couple weeks. It's an idea not seen yet and should be "the answer" to the shorty barrel front sight issue
 
Great thread. I will use this technique when I'm ready to remove my FH. In the mean time, I don't want to jinx the accuracy of my rifle so I'm leaving it welded. That DLASK FH looks way wicked.
 
To answer a couple questions:

1) Does the shorter barrel improve ... ? I found that the shorter barrel dramatically improved target reacquisition time and reduced the "swing" of the muzzle while sighting. I am able to get my sights back on target much faster and hold them there better.

2) Does a different flash hider improve ... ? I found that the Vortex reduced felt recoil quite a bit over the stock Chinese FH.

Overall with these two additions my rifle is easier to handle, easier to keep on target, and easier to return to target.

Could also be my imagination. :)
 
Is there any reason a FH of any sort must be used?
If I was to cut the barrel shorter, I would prefer no FH at all, just re-crown the barrel and be done with it.
As a FH does not count towards legal barrel length, cutting abarel to 18.5"+, a FH only serves to add 2" extra.
 
What POWMIA said ...
a shorty M14 just balance better, handles FASTER than the 22" versions of the 14.
And,
a shorty M14 with a muzzle brake or compensator,
allows for significantly faster multiple / repeat shots in "a target rich" environment.
And,
for those of you big and strong and stubborn enough to use a battle rifle cartridge for CQB,
a shorty M14 with a muzzle brake or compensator, PLUS a pistol grip straight line stock , approaches the AR 10 for top honors as a 7.62 NATO/.308 full powered CQB system.
BTDT.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AND,
PLUS ONE
FOR WHAT TOOTAL SAID TOO!
Re-using the original M14 flash hider on an M14 shorty may give you the stylish M14 original look, but realistically and rationally,
appearance and style aside,
how many civvies REALLY need flash reduction???

Unless you are planning some dark ops on a two way range, adding a FH to your shorty is all about appearance, not about improving performance.

On the other hand,
ADDING A COMP OR MUZZLE BRAKE TO AN M14 SHORTY, CAN BE ONE OF THE BEST MODIFICATIONS YOU CAN MAKE.

I have tried a few different brake/compensater designs on my many M14 shorty builds. Some provide really efficient recoil reduction, but are VERY LOUD. And some are LARGE and FUGLY. And some are all three.

These days, on my shorty 14 builds, I've been using the YHM AR 15 combination Flash Hider/ Muzzle brake. From the outside, the YHM COMBO unit appears to be just another Phantom FLASH HIDER, short, light, small diameter, with the gnarly "meat tenderiser" breaching end treatment. The muzzle brake part, WITH THREE INTERNAL CHAMBERS AND LOTS OF LARGE VENTS, works well, AND is not as loud as some other designs.

The YHM unit looks great on a shorty 14, works well as a comp/brake, doesn't sound too horribly loud, and maybe it even reduces flash too.

What more could you want

PS: The YHM combo units were available from Fab Sport as an AR 15/.223 caliber unit. If you get one of these, remember to ream out the three chamber walls to allow a .30 cal bullet to pass through.

otherwise bad things will happen!!!
[;{()
LAZ 1
 
Unfortunately,
when you build a shorty M14,
after installing the fh/brake of your choice,
what do you do for a front sight?

I personally dislike most Gas Ring Front Sight units because:
1.] they shorten the sight radius

2.] they rotate around the gas plug, and probably will require resighting after you clean the gas assembly

3.] I personally prefer the original sight picture of the M14, with the blade and ears. However, many prefer the round hooded GRFS look.

4.] unless they are the model with a dovetail that takes the original M14 windage adjustable front sight [ Barry, Bitsofpieces makes these ], they no longer allow zero for windage at the front sight.

So what to do for a front sight on an M14 shorty??

Thomas/M14 DR says he'll have a new front sight for the M14 shorties ... SOON?

Sean Rauch has my design for an M14 shorty front sight base THAT CLAMPS ON THE SHORTENED BARREL RIGHT BEHIND WHATEVER MUZZLE ACCESSORY YOU LIKE. Sean should be marketing them some day .... soon?.

Otherwise, until then, I will continue with cutting down M14 flash hiders into nothing more than a front sight base, threading them to fit 1/2X28 tpi, and turning them on to a shorty barrel right behind the YHM brake/FH.
 
We have completed our new shorty front sight solution.
Here's what we do, we take a steel part which duplicates the m14 front sight base dovetail.
We then TIG weld that part to the front gas assembly ring. This is done in a speeial jig that not only holds everything true, it also acts as a heatsink to absorb heat that may damage the cylinder.
Once I have a parkerizing tank finished I will make this service availlable to everyone.
I feel that for the shorties, this front sight mod beats all other options as the site base is now part of the gas assembly. Of course, you will need to be sure your barrel is correctly indexed and your gas system barrel splines are conditioned to prevent any rotational movement of the gas system.
I'll post pics soon and reports from my product testers as well.
Hope to make this option availlable in january.
 
Awesome solution guys! I have been reading about the FH removal since I got my M14 and I decided to try this method tonight. I locked the barrel into my bench vise using a rag and an old rubber motorcycle grip I had laying around, so as not to mar the surface, and used a piece of cold rolled flat stock (1"x15"x1/4") to drift the FH. With each hit, I had to loosen the castle nut some more until she popped off. I didn't even have to grind the old welds down, as they sheared off very smooth. The FH slid back on with out an issue!
 
Not sure holleyman but I have to head in there sometime in next week or so and I'll ask if we can get more made. I agree, those brakes were the cats @ss, I regret not keeping one from the last batch I had.
 
seems like a good method, but not ideal, something about whacking my m14 with a sledge doesn't appeal to me, i'd drill out the welds and finish the FH off with the tig welder or jb weld, but what do i know, i am not a qualified gun smith....
 
matty86suk said:
seems like a good method, but not ideal, something about whacking my m14 with a sledge doesn't appeal to me, i'd drill out the welds and finish the FH off with the tig welder or jb weld, but what do i know, i am not a qualified gun smith....
Click to expand...

I covered the end of the steel with some electrical tape and laid an old rag over the bayo lug bit. No marring whatsoever. I also used a very heavy peen hammer and not a sledge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom