Pin/ Weld Alternative to make 16”

[vick1]

From what I have read the recommendation is to weld a muzzle device on but it also states “not easily removable” Has anyone used alternative method to pinning/ welding a muzzle device to bring their gun to 16”? Blind pin and JB Weld?

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Bigtanker]

If I remember correctly, silver solder used to be acceptable but that was changed. I think the rules are on the ATF's page.

 

[Bigtanker]

Directly from the ATF
I'd be hesitant to do it in a way not stated. Getting caught could have seriously bad results.

 

[Patched]

This was very helpful. I wasn't aware that silver solder was an option. 1100 deg F is a lot cooler than welding temperatures, so that is probably less damaging than pinning and welding. Is the solder applied after the muzzle device is mounted or do you need to coat the threads?

 

[Hop]

I tried to silver solder mine but just couldn't get enough heat into it.
It was MUCH easier to blind pin & weld. I used a MiG welder.

 

[55fairlane]

This was very helpful. I wasn't aware that silver solder was an option. 1100 deg F is a lot cooler than welding temperatures, so that is probably less damaging than pinning and welding. Is the solder applied after the muzzle device is mounted or do you need to coat the threads?

TiG weld it, very small area affected by the heat.

 

[Patched]

Welding is beyond my skillset. From what Hop says, soldering may also be something I don't want to experiment with just yet. I'll check the local gunsmiths and see if anyone will take my project on. Thanks

 

[BigMoose]

Some places are offering pre pinned and welded 14.5 to 16.1 uppers..

BCM for one.

That's how I got my M4 clone, that actually takes a bayonet.

http://inrd.gotdns.com/gunpics/IMG_0364.jpg

 

[Tombs]

As far as I'm aware, if they want to press the issue, they will ultimately put a cheater bar on the gun and crank it for all its worth hoping and praying it breaks so they can send you to prison.

So what ever you do, insure the rest of the gun will break before that joint will.

Pin and weld is a lot more reversible than other options, and also is unlikely to ever fail that test before either the receiver breaks or the barrel pin fails.

 

[OurDee]

Pin and weld would put very little heat into the material with TIG or MIG.

 

[BigMoose]

I also went factory pin and weld, so that I wouldn't be in "constructive possession" of an SBR while I was waiting for someone to actually be available to do the pin and weld.

Made me nervous to order the 14.5 upper not done, as I don't own a pistol upper. Even if I intended to pin and weld it. You know how the ATF trolls are..

By ordering it factory pinned and welded, I know its ATF approved and there is no worry factor.

 

[BGDave]

Almost every receiver I've had in the last ten years was built as a pistol first. With pictures.
I'm kind of an old lady that way.

Edit to add; any pinned and welded flashider will come off with a pipe wrench. It ain't pretty, but I've seen the aftermath.

 

[Angrysauce]

Edit to add; any pinned and welded flashider will come off with a pipe wrench. It ain't pretty, but I've seen the aftermath.

Any 16" barrel can be made 10" with an angle grinder or band saw. Nothing is permanent with tools.

That said I have one that was silver soldered. The "gunsmith" was an idiot and didn't chalk it enough or paste it so it's discolored as all hell. Ask for a P/W, but this was "just as good". Few thousand suppressed rounds later and now its carbon caked black.

 

[BigMoose]

Well there is another plus of a factory job, BCM polished and re-anodized the weld.

 

[Thomas1969]

If I remember correctly, silver solder used to be acceptable but that was changed. I think the rules are on the ATF's page.

The ATF LOVES to change their own rules and make illegal what they just said was legal.

 

[Ashton1911]

I drilled mine, pinned, peened, then welded it over with a mig. I didn't have much splatter, and it was easy to clean up without marring the barrel. I would like to cerakote the weld so it stays pretty, and cannot rust, but don't have the kit or experience to do that yet.

 

[Indiana_Jeff]

The ATF LOVES to change their own rules and make illegal what they just said was legal.

You just gotta love how the ATF Tech Branch issues a ruling that sends you down a path, then pulls the rug out from under you by changing their mind. Very rude.