I'm asking this question for the gunsmiths or the pros on this forum.

 

No I'm not gonna go to ar15 forums, I already surprised myself by being on a forum for this long already.

 

So my question is if an upper came from factory pinned and welded, can it be removed and replaced? (This company just happens to be Rainier Arms) without destroying anything? Professionally done of course.

Yes, it's gonna come with a flash hider.

Yes, I'm gonna ship it to an FFL to cover my arse!

Yes it's a 14.5 so I DO need a muzzle brake installed.

Adco can do it but it will destroy the A2 or whatever it comes with.  Not sure of any company that can remove it and leave the flash hider intact. 

This should be possible by any competent gunsmith. Remember that you're going to get a lot of "barrel is damaged, you need to buy a new one". If you have any doubts about anyone local, send it to Adco. If you read around, a lot of folks have done this themselves with a Dremel and other basic tools.

Clint, speak with Rick at OMG. I believe this will destroy the birdcage to get it off but he should be able to do this for you.

It is rare that an A2 is pinned / welded onto a barrel.

Are you sure the FH is welded to the barrel......?????

It is rare that an A2 is pinned / welded onto a barrel.

Are you sure the FH is welded to the barrel......?????

 

I thought it was commonplace for 14.5 inch guns to come with pinned muzzle device? 

I thought it was commonplace for 14.5 inch guns to come with pinned muzzle device?

Not just common, but required unless it is a registered sbr.

 

Any pinned and welded (ie weld over the blind pin) or silver soldered muzzle device can be gotten off. Silver soldered on a match grade ss barrel might not be wise to try and undue due to the heat needed.

 

If it is attached with welds around the circumference of the muzzle device, you might as well toss the whole thing.

 

Those are the three accepted methods by batfe for permanent attachment.

 

 

Can be done pretty easily on a lathe --  yes the flash hider will be destroyed

Rainier Arms does a lot of in house work. Maybe just have them put on the proper muzzle device of your choice before they ship it to you?

I'm asking this question for the gunsmiths or the pros on this forum.

 

No I'm not gonna go to ar15 forums, I already surprised myself by being on a forum for this long already.

 

So my question is if an upper came from factory pinned and welded, can it be removed and replaced? (This company just happens to be Rainier Arms) without destroying anything? Professionally done of course.

Yes, it's gonna come with a flash hider.

Yes, I'm gonna ship it to an FFL to cover my arse!

Yes it's a 14.5 so I DO need a muzzle brake installed

 

 

Are you getting a complete rifle or just an upper?  If its just an upper (I remember you were looking for one) you can just have it sent to your ffl WITHOUT it being pinned.  It's not technically NFA until it gets near your lower receiver.  I did this with my BCM upper without issue. 

 

ETA:  If absolutely necessary it can be done, I spoke to a few local smiths who gave me the impression they had done it before with no problem

the flash hider can be removed... iv done a few removals. You just end up cutting the existing hider in 1/2 length wise top and bottom (Without cutting the barrel) and cracking it off. once the "meat" of the hider is gone they are easy to break off with out hurting the threads

I thought it was commonplace for 14.5 inch guns to come with pinned muzzle device? 

If the barrel is 14.5 the flash hider would have to be pinned or silver soldered to comply with ATF regulations of 16" barrel.

Are you getting a complete rifle or just an upper?  If its just an upper (I remember you were looking for one) you can just have it sent to your ffl WITHOUT it being pinned.  It's not technically NFA until it gets near your lower receiver.  I did this with my BCM upper without issue. 

 

ETA:  If absolutely necessary it can be done, I spoke to a few local smiths who gave me the impression they had done it before with no problem

 

I would recommend you have it shipped directly to an FFL that will do the muzzle device. This is NJ LOL

I thought it was commonplace for 14.5 inch guns to come with pinned muzzle device? 

Yes but not with an A2 flash hider as that muzzle device is not long enough to get the barrel to the ATF-required minimum of 16".  There are extended A2 flash hiders that are .2" longer to get to the minimum though.

If you can file the weld down to where the pin is easily accessible, you can drill the pin out...or use a stud gun and slide hammer and pull the pin out.