changing flash hider to muzzle brake help

[NorCal MedTac]

So luckily the guys at the gun exchange told me that what I thought was a muzzle brake is actually a flash hider. So I bought a brake and I can't get my flash hider off now. Any hints. oh yeah and is it the opposite of normal threads? I get scared of just using brute force on it.

[mltrading]

Mind sharing what model of your gun? A picture would be helpful.

[Creampuff]

My CMMGs were torqued on pretty tight. They have standard left loosy (clockwise to tighten) threads; be careful as I believe one brand has reverse threads.

I eventually purchased a barrel vise block, and clamped it onto my bench vise. A large crescent wrench and little bit of elbow grease took it off. If you don't want to order for a barrel vise, I hear some people have taken a large wooden block, drilled a hole that matches the outside diameter of the barrel, and then cut the block in half, and used the two blocks to clamp down the barrel with a bench vise. (Sorry, run on sentence).

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=608967

Don't use a receiver block to hold down the upper, as the torque required to take off the flash hider may be enough to cant the barrel off the upper assembly.

[jumbopanda]

maybe there is a bit of loctite on it? if that is the case try heating it with a torch

[mltrading]

maybe there is a bit of loctite on it? if that is the case try heating it with a torch

Second to the heating method.

[paradox]

I eventually purchased a barrel vise block, and clamped it onto my bench vise. A large crescent wrench and little bit of elbow grease took it off. If you don't want to order for a barrel vise, I hear some people have taken a large wooden block, drilled a hole that matches the outside diameter of the barrel, and then cut the block in half, and used the two blocks to clamp down the barrel with a bench vise. (Sorry, run on sentence).

Don't mess around with the wood unless you have some 4x4 tight grain hardwood in your junk pile, otherwise buy a set of barrel vise jaws. I split a few chunks of softwood before I broke down and bought a cheap Model1 block.

[Creampuff]

Don't mess around with the wood unless you have some 4x4 tight grain hardwood in your junk pile, otherwise buy a set of barrel vise jaws. I split a few chunks of softwood before I broke down and bought a cheap Model1 block.

Good point, I recall people were using maple blocks. Douglas Fir/construction lumber is a bit too soft to handle the twisting involved.

[mltrading]

Yeah, get a barrel vise. It's only $14 something a set from DPMS. It's a good investment.