Now and then I get the question “Is my flash hider or muzzle brake removable?”
Currently we sell rifles that are “pre-ban” style or “Sunset” rifles which means they now have all of the features that were banned when the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban was in effect. When the AWB sunset in 2004 these features were once again legal in most states as there is no longer a federal ban on them. One of these features is removable flash hiders/threaded barrels. On all of our 16 inch rifles which are of the “sunset” configuration (flash hiders/threaded barrel, bayonet lugs, collapsible stocks), the flash hider is removable with a ¾” end wrench. Photo of a typical A2 Flash Hider here…
We also build rifles for the states that enacted their own assault weapons ban when the federal ban sunset in 2004. These states are NY, CT, MA, MD and NJ. The rifles we build for these states must not have removable flash hiders or access to the barrel threads. They must have a muzzle brake instead of a flash hider and this muzzle brake must be welded on. These muzzle brakes are NOT removable and to try to remove them with a wrench will destroy the barrel. These are pinned and welded in two spots that go down into the threads on the barrel. Photo of a welded on Muzzle Brake shown here…
We are also going to start building rifles with 14.5 inch barrels and welded flash hiders. Federal law states that all rifle barrels must be no shorter than 16″ in overall length (unless you file the appropriate paperwork and pay a $200 tax). Any barrel we build for the commercial market that has a 14.5″ length will have a flash hider welded onto the end to make the overall length over 16″. These flash hiders will also NOT be removable. Photo of a welded on Vortex Flash Hider here – note the weld mark…
In the many years I’ve been repairing AR15s I’ve seen a lot of ruined barrels where people tried to remove a welded brake or flash hider. Before trying to remove one, be sure that it is not welded on!
