Removing Flash hider From L-E No 5. Jungle carbine witout damaging it ??????

Pre-1898

Pre-1898

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Can anyone tell me if its possible to remove the
flash hider/front sight / bayonet lug unit from a Lee Enfield No5 ( jungle Carbine) without damaging it ?

I getting mine converted to .22 caliber and my gunsmith will install the .22 liner inside the 303 barrel. To recrown it, he will need to remove this unit the re-install it all without damaging it.

The only thing, He has never removed / needed to remove one before and he does not know how easy it will come off intact to put it back.

Has anyone ever removed some ?

Any info on this will be appreciated
 
Remove the 2 retainer pins. Then try using a brass hammer and seriously smacking the underside (bayo lug).
Never hit the sight guards as they can bend. If that doesn't do it, add heat and try again. Some of these are pressed fairly tight and I have had a couple come off fairly easily.
 
IMHO using a hammer is not the right thing to do. I will grant that in some cases it might work but keep in mind that these pieces were "press fit" to the barrels.

I have a method that works very well. I use a bearing puller of the type that has two flat jaws and an insert that fits into the bore and over the bit of muzzle that shows.

After previously driving out the two retaining pins I attach the puller and centering device then twist the handles to apply tension to the flash hider body. Sometimes they will just slip right off. Usually I have to add some heat. Not a lot. Just enough to allow the flash hider ring to expand and move to relieve the preapplied tension. Sometimes this has to be repeated a few times but once it starts it usually comes off easy.

Another thing to watch for is that not all of the holes in different barrels are drilled the same as your flash hider.

No matter how you do it, be careful. All sorts of damage can and will be done if you get ham fisted.

I also saw a set up on a hydraulic press that was used to press the barrel out while the flash hider was rested on a pair of aluminum blocks that had been drilled out to fit loosely around the barrel but wouldn't allow the shoulders on the FH ring to pass.
 
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