Hatsan Striker/Edge/Mod95 muzzle brake removal PSA.

[mikeyb]

Cut, chop, saw, burn ? Why? Just tap-tap!

PSA for anyone trying to remove Hatsan "Muzzle Brake - Front Sight".

There may be other rifles where the muzzle brake or a "pickle" is molded to the barrel and the ONLY option is to CUT (or chop, saw, burn) IT OFF.

On Mod95, Edge, Striker rifles the muzzle brake is PRESSED onto the barrel. It is a TIGHT FIT and there is usually a tiny grub-screw to "help" keep it in place. MOST of the time that grub screw does NOTHING. The fit is really tight and the muzzle brake will not move under "normal use" even with NO grub screw. These muzzle brakes can be removed and reinstalled with little to no damage.

We DO want to remove the grub screw FIRST before trying to remove the muzzle brake or it will scratch up the barrel.

Next step is to make a muzzle brake removal tool. See photo below:

This tool is just some scrap pallet wood (hardwood like maple) cut to size, clamped/screwed/bolted together, and drilled through ( I used a 5/8" forstner bit ) as shown. I my case it was a little too tight a fit on the barrel OD so I simply added a couple boxboard spacers to allow the tool to slide freely on the barrel OD.

Then I clamped the blocks/tool to the barrel and began tapping the blocks with a small hammer. Muzzle brake moved only about 1/16" each tap but it did eventually pop off the barrel with no damage to the brake or barrel.

Now you have clear access to the muzzle to polish a poorly made factory crown.

(I used a similar tool several years ago to remove the muzzle brake on a Ruger Blackhawk Elite. )

[lefteyeshot]

Heat them with a hair dryer on high for awhile and you can usually twist them off.

[Toxylon]

I try to avoid making (and storing) gun-specific tools, time / space being valuable commodities. When taking Hatsan and other muzzle breaks / front sight bases off, I have used a square, flat piece of wood (trimming offcut) at a low angle and a rubber mallet, usually helping things with a little heat.

[RBQChicken]

My question is, once you true up the crown, how do you reinstall the brake without the front sight being off-center?