Need advice on Noveske NSR rail installation - barrel extension OR welded FH removal

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Mr. Spectacular

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I'm trying to install an 11" Noveske NSR rail onto an existing Noveske factory built gun that I have.

The barrel is 14.5" with (what I'm assuming) is a pinned/welded flash hider.

I've successfully managed to loosen the existing barrel nut and gas block, but the stupid gas block won't fit over the Vortex flash hider in order for me to get the old barrel nut off (and new NSR barrel nut back on).

Here are my options, ranging from bad to worse (I think).

#1. I can carefully try to grind the flash hider off, remove the gas block and old nut; install the new NSR nut, re-install the gas block and buy a new muzzle device.

#2. I can remove the barrel extension from the barrel, slide of old nut off and the new NSR nut on and re-tighten the barrel extension (I would have to buy the tool from Brownells as I don't already have it).

#3. I can take it down to ATRS and let them deal with it. While I'm sure Rick would do an awesome job, he's $$$$ that I frankly don't want to spend right now.

I've done some reading over the last few hours regarding the barrel extension removal, and the general consensus seems to be that as soon as the extension cracks or otherwise comes loose, the entire barrel is garbage. However, in all of those cases, these people were talking about taking a new barrel extension and installing it on a old barrel that already has the gas hole drilled.

In my case, I would be marking and removing the barrel extension, putting the new NSR nut on, and re-installing the existing barrel extension back to ~150ftlbs (and correctly lined up with where it came off).

The barrel extension removal tool is in stock and available from Brownells and costs $50. A new flash hider is $100 (plus the fact that I might screw up the threads trying to grind off the old one). And I have no idea how much ATRS would charge me (I'm assuming hundred(s).

Which route do I go?

The SOB in question:
20130331113536.jpg
 
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If it's got a blind pin welded in, find the pin (should be a discoloured area on the FH), grind the weld off, drill the pin out, and remove the FH.

That's a much better option than removing the barrel extension.
 
Stevo said:
If it's got a blind pin welded in, find the pin (should be a discoloured area on the FH), grind the weld off, drill the pin out, and remove the FH.

That's a much better option than removing the barrel extension.
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Yeah, I've doubled checked and checked again and there's no real indication of where the pin is on this thing.

I saw a picture of someone else that had ground a Noveske pinned FH off, and it was pinned on the wrench flats (which side, I'm not sure).

Best case scenerio, I grind the FH off and get it to come loose and it costs me $100 to replace. Worst case is I screw the threads up somehow and have a mangled barrel. Worst - worst case is I screw the threads up AND lossen the barrel extension trying to get the FH off. LOL.
 
Maybe if you scour the finish off the FH you'll be able to find the pin?

Edit: from the limited info available it looks like you're right that Noveske pins on the FH flat. Narrows down where you need to look and you may get lucky with your first try.
 
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I would find out how much ATRS would charge before you potentiall wreck something...that sounds like a pretty nice rifle.
 
Mr. Spectacular said:
LOL.

I got it off! The stupid thing wasn't pinned at all.

Thanks for the advice anywyas.
Click to expand...

I didn't think that it would have been, I inquired to whether or not FHs were pinned on factory guns to meet the SBR and export requirements, but apparently they are exported as uppers, which don't require pinning, etc. as they're not a firearm. Glad you got it sorted out!
 
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