Installing a 3-prong flash suppressor?

AR/M4 AR Technical Discussion
1

My brother wants to put one of these on a “retro” build using an old SP-1 upper. Since the 3-prong design doesn’t have flats like an A1 or A2, what’s the best way to install it without damaging anything? Having only dealt with A2’s myself, I had no advice for him.

Anyone got any tips?

Thanks.

Derek

2

There’s an older style armoror’s wrench that has the slots for the prongs on original M16 flash hider.

I don’t know who has them for sale off the top of my head.

3

I knew there had to be a special tool for installing them, and I was reasonably sure I had never seen one.

Now I know why…

Thanks.

Derek

4

I think there’s another way to crank it on there, but I’m drawing a blank.

5

xxxxx

6

If you find one let me know, they’re very desirable.

7

Her is a pic of the type II wrench

Very hard to find.
The later ones like this are a little easier to find.

8

Well lets try this

I guess you can’t edit add a photo.

9

How much force does it take to remove these three-prong hiders. A friend has one and it seems to be frozen solid. Is there a way of softening it up so that it doesn’t take that much effort? I’m not sure but I think I read somewhere that it takes only 20lbs/ft of torque to tighten these things… is that info correct?

Thanks.

10

Here’s the one I have:

11

Yes, it should be torqued to 15-20 ft-lbs.
Use some penetrating oil and let it soak for a while. Then heat up with a heat gun or hair dryer. Some times a good quick wack helps to break it loose.