While in the process of installing a gas block on my LE6920 I noticed on the stock A2 flash hider that it appeared to be a corrosion issue with it. Looking through the flash hider from the back end just past the threads there is a ragged hole there. The hole has no uniformity, round as I presumed it was when it was new. This is the first time the flash hider was removed and the gun has less than 3k rounds fired through it. Is this normal for a flash hider? Is there something other than normal operation of the system contributing to the corrosion? Would love to send a pic but cam is out of order.
Ive seen corrosion and erosion of FH and MB depending on the quality of the part and how well the weapon was PM’d.As a note I had a number of Armalite two port MB gas etch badly in short order back in the late 90’s which had to be replaced due to my OCD.
Personally if I saw an A2 FH with a possible issue I’d just replace it as its a rather cheap item.I prefer the Smith Vortex to any other FH personally.
For a weapon that is going to be stored for a length of time or has been or is regularly exposed to damp/foul environments I like to hose the FH down inside and out with Break Free CLP aerosol.This helps prevent the development of corrosion on the hard to clean part.
A few drops of the very light aerosol CLP at the base of the FSB is helpful as well in keeping the fuzzy growth from showing in the long term on some weapons.
HTH
Whenever I remove A2 style flash hiders that have been on a rifle for a few hundred rounds, there’s usually a thin wall of carbon, which you can gently knock out with a Q-tip. It looks like a ragged hole, but it’s just the carbon buildup from the muzzle blast, and when you unthread the flash hider, it goes with it, rather than sitting on the crown of your barrel.
Slipp, you are on the money with that one. That’s exactly what it was, a buildup of carbon. I was able to know most away with a small screwdriver the rest was soaked with M-Pro 7 and was able to be cleaned with a Q-tip like you said. Thanks bro