I recently decided to swap out the stock A2 on my 6920 in favor of a different muzzle device and when I got the A2 off and inspected it, it was absolutely disgusting on the inside! There was all kinds of gunk, carbon and even copper jacket fragments inside the FH.
All that crap couldn’t be good for consistent accuracy. So I’m wondering how often should one remove the muzzle device for inspection and cleaning?
I have never removed a Break/FH, for cleaning at least. Toothbrush and a patch is all I have ever bothered using up there.
+1 for this. More trouble than it’s worth.
I don’t think I’ve ever even done that much, post-military.
I suppose a crush washer might have enough plasticity to it to allow you to re-index correctly, but since you do generally have to index these things to make them work right/look right, taking it off and putting it back on multiple times is likely to be more trouble than it’s worth.
never for cleaning. only for replacement/swap out. i take that opportunity to clean the barrel crown/threads when that happens.
I never really thought it was necessary to clean the FH either, but after seeing how much shit was accumulated in there, it couldn’t hurt.
I actually did notice my groups opening up a bit as of late. Could be related to the dirty muzzle device.
Don’t remove the muzzle device for cleaning. Clean as much as you can reach with a plastic cleaning brush, Hoppe’s # 9 and Q Tips.
If your accuracy is starting to drop off, the fix may be as easy as a thorough barrel cleaning.
I’d bet a carbon’d up crown would be more to blame than the MD. A damaged crown hurts accuracy, so I don’t why an carbon’d up crown would be any different. But I’d think it would have to be A LOT of carbon buildup.
Technically the crown is self cleaning every time a round passes through. The face of the barrel itself was actually much cleaner than the FH.
The only time I have seen a flash hider have an effect on accuracy was when it was torqued on too tight. If you remove a muzzle device for any reason, install a new crush washer and don’t exceed the recommended torque.
You might be onto something. This A2 required a vice and heat from a torch before coming loose.
The only time I’d ever consider removing the MD would be if I shot corrosive ammo. The AK is the only weapon I own that I shoot corrosive ammo out of and taking off the MD is a normal part of field stripping for cleaning.
This, exactly. I use a toothbrush with hoppes and I’ve used a little alcohol with a .45 caliber bore mop. I wouldn’t remove it unless I was changing it out.
doubled somehow.
I’ve pulled my muzzle devices before, soaked em in some carbon cutter and then an ultrasonic cleaner. Crush washers are cheap and easy to use…put the upper on a reaction rod and spin it down with a Hammerhead tool.
Never. Ever.
Between shots.
Slacker. I do it during shots.
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Never! All that gunk is a layer of protection that slows down erosion of my brakes, which serve as the first blast baffle when I shoot suppressed. 
Impressive!