R1 and L1A1 flash hiders interchangeable?

[mrclark303]

LuxDefTec who stuck on a new barrel told me in a email that the flash hider is simply screwed on. No mention of loc tite or such stuff. However if they have used loktite, how do I remove that?

Strange, I would have expected more from LuxDefTec, they have rebuilt enough of them, so should have an excellent working knowledge of the type. I guess they just don't want to machine the small slot for the key in the new barrel and don't see the need to do so.

Come to think of it, of the three LuxDefTec L1A1 re-builds I have seen in the past, one of them never had a key installed either, I assumed the FE had been removed and refitted for some reason, but perhaps not ..

Its about finishing the job properly at the end of the day, shame to miss out details.

[Peter Laidler]

That said......... if you want your L1A1 without the keyway, key and pin to look the part then it's be a very simple matter to loctite the F/E in place, file a flat on the key, insert it flat downwards (and therefore hidden) inset the pin and slightly stake in place. Noone would ever notice the difference. The F/E is solidly in place too.

If it were me I wouldn't be losing sleep about the absence of the totally unnecessary keyway slot.

As for removing loctite residue after removal. It's easy to remove with a wire brush after it's been heated with sufficient heat to break the bond

[mrclark303]

I suppose the main advantage of the original slot and key is that you know the FE is correctly timed ...... You don't want your bayonet out of cock, that simply won't do! In a related matter, I often wondered why the present day re-builders of L1A1's don't seem to use breeching up washers during build, I would have thought they make life a lot easier!

Is there a reason they aren't used in general with modern replacement barrels chaps?

[Ex Crab]

It's easy to remove with a wire brush after it's been heated with sufficient heat to break the bond

I know you said use blow torch, but what kind of temperature needs to be reached? I don't want to overdo it.

[Peter Laidler]

In the Armourers shop, on the L85's and 6's it'd be hot enough when it started to turn! Don't worry about it too much unless you're using an oxy acet gas torch!