This Damn Muzzle Device!!!

[awall919]

so I recently acquired a 16" carbine upper from a fellow cal-gunner, as most of us do step two involves the modifications.
PROBLEM: thwe A2 birdcage flash0 hider feels like its pinned on. Im sure its no but this this is really on there.
I have never removed an AR-15 muzzle device so am I mising something? or is this just a case of applied dynamics? I need this darn thing off to put my new sweet muzzle comp on. HELP!!!

And feel free to insult my intelegence as I already feel like a Dumb@$$ for not being able to unscrew something. But id rather ask a stupid question, than not know the stupid answer and ruin my barrel or something else.

Thanks my more intelligent cal-gunners.

-Awall919

[223556]

Does it appear to have any type of weld marks on the bottom or pin of some kind?
If it does youe best bet is to drill it out or take it to a shop that can remove it.
Most of the time the welded/pinned muzzle device cannot be salvaged after.

[awall919]

My first thought was that it was pinned but not only are ther no impurities ( grind marks, heat zones from welds or discoloration from repainting/ anodizing) I couldn't find any logical reason why someone would pin a flash supressor on a 16'' barrel. I think that maby locktite has something to do with it, im hoping its not rusted on or something similar.
If pinned I would hate to have to put $100 on cutting down and re-crowning the barrel, or replacing it all together.
...Thanks 223556...

[Rock6.3]

Ask the prior owner?

[SJgunguy24]

Put a wrench on it and turn. Many times the carbon will build up and with the heat cycles will make it feel like it's welded.

[awall919]

Put a wrench on it and turn. Many times the carbon will build up and with the heat cycles will make it feel like it's welded.

This sound to be the exact problem. I'll have to go out for a shoot to heat up the barrel, that should loosen her up. I just hate to have to bring it to a gun shop.

[Plisk]

This sound to be the exact problem. I'll have to go out for a shoot to heat up the barrel, that should loosen her up. I just hate to have to bring it to a gun shop.

What he is saying is that the heat and carbon is what may have made your muzzle device tighten up. Heating it again by shooting isn't going to help loosen it.

[SJgunguy24]

This sound to be the exact problem. I'll have to go out for a shoot to heat up the barrel, that should loosen her up. I just hate to have to bring it to a gun shop.

Put a wrench on it and turn. Many times the carbon will build up and with the heat cycles will make it feel like it's welded.

OK, lets try this again, in bold......Put a wrench on it and turn.

What he is saying is that the heat and carbon is what may have made your muzzle device tighten up. Heating it again by shooting isn't going to help loosen it.

You get it, but will the OP get it......

When a gun is fired there is carbon from the powder burning, if you look at the muzzle there's probably some green crustys from the copper rounds. You take all of that crap and heat it up and it works it's way into the threads. Well you need to break that loose. Put a wrench on the thing and turn it to see if it'll move. The worst that happens, you mar the muzzle device. If it is welded then you'll need a grinder to get it off.

[bender152]

I once had a "ban-compliant" upper that had a pinned muzzle brake even though the barrel was 16".

[awall919]

Well... I found out the culprit to my headache. There was so much carbon build up as well as it being a bit over tightened caused to almost weld it in place.
...Not welded...Not pinned... But I do thank you all for the advice. Oh and sjgunguy24: you were right both times, just had to put a wrench on and turn. Just had to break out the can of spinach to get it turning.

[SJgunguy24]

I once had a "ban-compliant" upper that had a pinned muzzle brake even though the barrel was 16".

The federal law banned threaded muzzles.