Help removing a stubborn muzzle brake

[Falschirmjaeger]

Guys: I recently bought a used MAK-90 that has one of those pin-on AK-74 style muzzle brakes (muzzle is not threaded). I want to remove the brake for aesthetic reasons, but I am having the worst time trying to accomplish the removal. After drifting out the pin, it won't pop loose even with increasingly ungentle taps from a padded hammer, and is starting to show some dents at the rear edge of the brake. I don't want to escalate my efforts only to be stuck with an obviously damaged brake that still won't come off (or worse, a damaged muzzle or front sight base on my rifle!). So I've given up for now.

Anyone have some insights on how to get this stubborn brake off? I've never installed one of these, so I don't know if there's some trick I'm missing. I'm guessing that carbon fouling has essentially "baked" the brake on. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[nrgrams]

Soak it CLP? How about adding some heat?

 

[zx7rcatt]

Id try a little heat, that should help out.

 

[M67]

You probably already know but JUST in case, those are left hand threads so righty loosey lefty tighty

There's probably a ton of carbon build up in there, so I'd soak it in carbon killer or another carbon remover, Kroil is always good though

 

[mcapo]

Kroil is good stuff...

 

[Falschirmjaeger]

Kroil is good stuff...

Thanks, guys, I'll try Kroil. Is that stuff hard to find? Not sure I've seen it before

 

[Bigtanker]

Seafoam will work also.

 

[armyvet209]

Kroil is pretty common, potent smelling stuff so i'd use it outside....unless you like the smell, which I do

 

[patience0830]

Kroil smells like the horse liniment we used when i was a kid. Might be a available at Home Depot or Lowes, but don't quote me on that.

 

[Sniper 79]

Kroil and an air hammer.

 

[natdscott]

In order of "try this":

Heat (a torch for a moderate amount of time).

Carefully cut or grind a relief in the bearing portion of the brake.


But it's probably glue, and glue needs cooked.

-Nate

 

[223 Gunner]

I would try a propane torch, and a pair of channel locks, and just destroy the brake if you don't like it.
Heat and twist, I know you said it is not threaded, but are you 100% sure it is not threaded?

If it is not threaded I would heat and twist with the channel locks until it comes off.

As far as Kroil goes, the last time I bought some was at United Refrigeration on 16th street, I don't know if they sell to the public.
I do commercial HVAC for a large Hospital Network, we have an acct. there.

 

[Falschirmjaeger]

Thanks, all. I used a different penetrating oil (couldn't easily find Kroil), gave the brake a good dousing, put a large screw-driver through the ipenings at the muzzle end of the brake, and hammered away. It finally popped loose. Mind you, the brake doesn't look all that great any more, but I wasn't planning to reuse it anyway. Merry Christmas!