S&W 15-22 A2 Birdcage Swap

[donking]

So I picked up a 15-22 moe version and must say it is nice. One thing I didn't notice until after was that the flash-hider wasn't a "5-slot A2 Birdcage" that had no holes on the bottom. It has holes on the bottom that will kick-up dust when shooting prone - which seems to be the old 6-slot A1 Birdcage like in this link:

http://www.northerngunparts.com/ar-15m-16a-16slotheattreated.aspx

Here is link to an 5-slot A2 birdcage.

http://www.spikestactical.com/new/z/muzzle-device-a2-flash-hider-12x28-p-410.html

I have an extra A2 birdcage in the parts bin from an AR muzzle brake swap, but was wondering if anyone has done this? It looks like a standard crush washer, but is it? Also, how does one go about holding the 15-22 upper while cranking on/off the muzzle device. I have a clamshell that worked great on the Aluminum AR upper receiver, but will it work on the plastic/composite 15-22 receiver?


Is it even needed as the wimpy .22 won't kick up dust like the 5.56?

[SDM44]

IMO, the A2 flash hider is there more for looks.... and the the threaded barrel allows you to swap it out for something else that you like, again for looks (fake can, break, etc).

That being said, I've tried a .223 A2 flash hider on my 15-22 before just because I was bored and wanted to try it out. I made sure that the .22LR round would easily clear the flash hider before putting it on and shooting with it. But once I did that, no problems and really no benefit or gains from using a different flash hider. This was tested at an indoor range with low light to begin with.

[mreed]

be lucky you got the threaded version
l0l

[donking]

IMO, the A2 flash hider is there more for looks.... and the the threaded barrel allows you to swap it out for something else that you like, again for looks (fake can, break, etc).

That being said, I've tried a .223 A2 flash hider on my 15-22 before just because I was bored and wanted to try it out. I made sure that the .22LR round would easily clear the flash hider before putting it on and shooting with it. But once I did that, no problems and really no benefit or gains from using a different flash hider. This was tested at an indoor range with low light to begin with.

What type of clamp did you use to remove the A1 birdcage?

[Peter.Steele]

The threads on the receiver aren't all that stout on the M&P 15-22. (But hey, at least it won't snap in half if it falls over on carpet, amirite?) I think I'd probably take a pair of channel locks or a pipe wrench, with a sock or a rag or something.

[kendog4570]

I thread these all the time with a 1/2-28 thread, same as the A2 flash hider. As far as holding the barrel, dont use the clamshell or any other vise that holds the upper. You will need to grip the front portion of the barrel in a regular barrel vise. That way no stress or strain is placed on the plastic upper at the barrel joint.

[kendog4570]

The threads on the receiver aren't all that stout on the M&P 15-22. (But hey, at least it won't snap in half if it falls over on carpet, amirite?) I think I'd probably take a pair of channel locks or a pipe wrench, with a sock or a rag or something.

The receiver isnt threaded at all. The receiver is trapped between the barrel nut and a small torque shoulder at the barrel extension. It would be very easy to apply enough torque to tear it right out of the trunnion area.
Use a barrel vise, or at the very least some padded machinist vise jaws. The pliers or pipe wrench will just bubba it up.

[donking]

I thread these all the time with a 1/2-28 thread, same as the A2 flash hider. As far as holding the barrel, dont use the clamshell or any other vise that holds the upper. You will need to grip the front portion of the barrel in a regular barrel vise. That way no stress or strain is placed on the plastic upper at the barrel joint.

The receiver isnt threaded at all. The receiver is trapped between the barrel nut and a small torque shoulder at the barrel extension. It would be very easy to apply enough torque to tear it right out of the trunnion area.
Use a barrel vise, or at the very least some padded machinist vise jaws. The pliers or pipe wrench will just bubba it up.

Thank you KenDog. This is what I was thinking about and didn't want to take the chance with the clamshell.

[kendog4570]

Thank you KenDog. This is what I was thinking about and didn't want to take the chance with the clamshell.

You are quite welcome. I am just over the hill from you in the Santa Cruz area, let me know if you need help.
Ken

[Javi]

If you have some money to spare, these are popular on the S&W forum:



Made especially for the 15-22. http://www.mp15-22.com/products/vise-jaws.html

[SDM44]

What type of clamp did you use to remove the A1 birdcage?

Put the barrel in a vice (with rubber blocks so it didn't scratch the barrel), and just used a crescent wrench to get the flash hider off. Pretty easy and took less than a couple of seconds to break it loose.