Removing the Flash Hider from an HK93-pattern Rifle

Credit: Doug, aka m1a1driver of Calguns, and SeanNewton

My friend Doug wanted to be able to use detachable magazines on his Century Arms C93. Given that we reside in the state of California, this requires that the weapon's pistol grip and flash hider be removed or neutralized. There are various places selling kydex wraps to neutralize the pistol grip, but the only way to remove the flash hider from the equation is to remove the flash hider itself. The flash hider was too firmly attached for basic tools, however, so he took his rifle to my place and we started looking at it.

A good percentage of internet denizens seem to believe that the C93 rifles' muzzle devices are either silver soldered on or blind-pinned on. On the surface, this may seem a reasonable assumption because many rifles do get imported in that type of configuration. However, it is not always the case, and in the pictures below I'll explain what could lead someone to believe it was pinned.

This rifle's device was attached very firmly, and probably hadn't been removed since well before the original military rifle was cut down for a parts kit. However, it was not permanently affixed.

Before Removal

This is the stripped upper of the rifle. Note that unlike an AR-15, in the HK-pattern rifles ATF considers the upper receiver to be the receiver for transfer and registration purposes.

Removing the Handguard

This is a close-up on the front end. By the time this picture was taken, we'd already removed it once to verify that this technique works. The nicks on the flash hider were put on there by this procedure, however it would be possible not to damage it if more care were taken. In this specific instance, the owner had little interest in retaining the original muzzle device. Please note the wire visible in the flash hider at its base, almost centered with the barrel. This wire is part of the retention spring assembly and must not be mistaken for a pin. Farther over on this picture, you can see the rest of the retention spring. The function of this spring is to prevent a loose flash hider from spinning its way off. While it may perhaps be necessary when the rifle is brand new, the level of effort required to remove this FH indicates that the point where it may have been needed, has passed a long time ago.

First, it is necessary to remove the handguard. The push pin on the front must be removed. Locate the side with the spring on it, and in this case use pliers (or pretty much any tool) to gently whack it flush with the hole.

The pin is sticking far enough out of the hole that, with the jaws of the pliers open, the lower jaw is all it took to hook the pin and pull it out. Note that the pliers are NOT being closed on the pin at this point - it's just being used as a pry bar of sorts.

The pin is just about entirely out, so we lightly grab it with the pliers and pull. This particular pin was a bit tougher than usual; normally at this point the pins are only finger-tight.

The handguards are pulled free of the gun. Note that the lower tube is the barrel, and the upper tube (unlike on an AK-47) is a cocking tube, NOT a gas tube. HK 9x series rifles generally have a cocking tube above the barrel.

Removing the Flash Hider

With the handguard removed, the cocking tube and barrel are exposed. They're of roughly the same diameter, so we used some relatively light weight plywood to prevent marring them as we clamped them into the vise. You should set your plywood pieces as close to the front sight area as you can get them. If your flash hider is amazingly well attached, you don't want to potentially warp your cocking tube. Getting closer to the point of attachment reduces the risk of this happening.

Rear view of the plywood assembly.

A pair of vise-grips pliers have been cinched to the muzzle device. Note that this vise is not bolted to the floor, hence why my foot is standing on the vise to provide stability. Were it more important to preserve the muzzle device's cosmetics, I would suggest using a sheet of leather or rubber between the pliers and the muzzle device. In this picture, I am demonstrating the correct hold, but when we actually removed it, Doug was the one pulling on the pliers.

Pull hard. I suggest this angle and stance, as it allows you to pull upwards in order to exert the force on the flash hider. It took quite a bit of force, but the muzzle device DID break free.

After Removal

A close-up on the barrel underneath the flash hider. Note the buildup of material. This is probably solidified grease, mixed in with a bit of rust and probably some carbon, then baked together over years of firing. Over time, it turned into a kind of cement.

What should you take away from this?

• The Century C93 flash hider is NOT welded or silver soldered onto the barrel. If you do happen to have one that is, you'll be able to see a spot weld or some silver solder.
• What appears to be a pin in the flash hider is NOT. It's actually a spring which serves to retain the FH if it starts trying to work its way loose. If you see what looks like a pin, but then there's a piece of wire of the same diameter exposed nearby, that's not a pin. It's just a retention spring which will not interfere with your efforts to remove the FH.

-- SeanNewton - 03 Jan 2011