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Posted: 10/7/2005 12:47:31 PM EDT
What are my options when doing this?  I'm assuming tack welding and silver soldering are the only methods, right?  I have a 14.5" upper, and before I complete my Vulcan build I need to permanently fix an acceptable length FS for legality.  Can you guys lemme know the best way to approach this is? Is there a DIY method or do I have to take it to a 'smith or welder?  Thanks, fellas.
Link Posted: 10/7/2005 4:49:32 PM EDT
[#1]
I remember reading somewhere on arfcom that the only acceptable methods the ATF would accept were welding or silver soldering. Someone made the point that there were a couple other ways, but basically it has to be in a way that would require destruction of the barrel or the flash hider (or both) in order to remove it for it to be considered permanent.

Someone, I think in the build it yourself forum, posted a DIY Silver Solder method. It required a torch and getting your barrel cherry hot at the tip so be careful if you try it, or something like it. Honestly, you would be better off either buying a barrel in the configuration you want or having a professional do it. Just think of how bad you could ruin your barrel by just tapping it while the barrel is cherry hot. Or cracking the linning of the barrel. Cracking the barrel itself if you heat and cool to quick.

Just be careful.
Link Posted: 10/7/2005 5:34:54 PM EDT
[#2]
I think I'll take it to a pro and have him do it.  I don't want to mess it up.  Thanks.  
Link Posted: 10/8/2005 7:53:07 AM EDT
[#3]
Link Posted: 10/11/2005 10:29:27 PM EDT
[#4]

Quoted:
This is a federal law, not Californian one.

You can do a blind pin where you drift a pin in which can only go in one way to lock the suppressor onto the barrel. Most people drill the pin all the way though and then silver solder the holes in each direction.

The other way is to use silver solder to weld the thing into place. You need to know what you're doing. You clean the barrel and suppressor completely, heat the work up using a mapp torch (propane doesn't get hot enough) and then run soldier onto the threads while keeping the work hot enough to tread the suppressor the rest of the way over the hot liquid metal.

A cheap enough job for a gunsmith. Federal authorities have been known to arrest people for the mear possession of illegal parts - assembled or not. I always buy my 14.5" barrels pre-legalized with the suppressor attached. I'd recommend that you do that in the future but wouldn't lose any sleep if I were you now.



Sound advice.  I had my Colt M4 14.5" barrels shipped directly to an NFA manufacturer, who silver brazed Vortex flash-hiders on to make them legal length.  Note that a standard A2 birdcage will not make the barrel legal length.  You'll need a Vortex or Phantom or XM177 type long flash hider to get it the barrel to legal length.  Measurement is taken using a stick dropped down the barrel on a closed bolt.  Don't get this wrong, as having too short a barrel with an AR lower would be deemed possession of an unregistered SBR. 10 year Federal felony plus $10K fine.  Ouch!

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