Vz.58 Special Forces Muzzle Brake removal

[GunsNotPuns]

Good day: Helping out a fellow gunny who is trying to remove the Vz.58 Special Forces Muzzle Brake from his rifle. Some not very thorough cleaning of the brake has left it seized up. Thanks to some penetrating oil I managed to remove the muzzle brake itself but the flash hider underneath is remaining rather resistant to my efforts.

Long story short, while I'm letting the flash hider soak in some more penetrating oil I'm just wondering which direction to turn it (if I can get to that point) in order to remove it. If I'm looking down the barrel from the receiver, am I turning it to the left or the right to remove it?

 

[DT741]

If you're shouldering the rifle, the muzzle brake turns right with the detent pushed in.

Looking at the muzzle from the business end, turn left

 

[RSK]

I just ordered one of these. I remember reading others had similar issues. I suppose a little anti seize might be a good idea for assembly/reassembly

 

[GunsNotPuns]

If you're shouldering the rifle, the muzzle brake turns right with the detent pushed in.

That was in fact it, thank you!

I just ordered one of these. I remember reading others had similar issues. I suppose a little anti seize might be a good idea for assembly/reassembly

A very good idea. And regular cleaning is also recommended

 

[grelmar]

That was in fact it, thank you!



A very good idea. And regular cleaning is also recommended

I've had mine off and on several times, and not had any issues.

HOWEVER...

It comes off every time I clean the rifle. And I make sure after cleaning, it is absolutely, 100%, completely dry of lubricant before re-attaching it. If there's any lube left in the threads, the lube itself will bake and harden - and then you're pooped.

 

[GunsNotPuns]

Which was the issue here -- he hadn't removed and cleaned it since early 2015 and had put god only knows how many rounds of corrosive and non-corrosive ammunition down the pipe. The rest of the rifle was cleaned superbly, just forgot about the muzzle brake.

You wouldn't believe the amount of caked-on/baked-on crap was on the flash hider and inside the brake

 

[grelmar]

Which was the issue here -- he hadn't removed and cleaned it since early 2015 and had put god only knows how many rounds of corrosive and non-corrosive ammunition down the pipe. The rest of the rifle was cleaned superbly, just forgot about the muzzle brake.

You wouldn't believe the amount of caked-on/baked-on crap was on the flash hider and inside the brake

Some people shouldn't be allowed to have nice things.

 

[sky52]

After owning an acr, i wouldnt call a VZ nice