Mini 14 brake leaking gas?

[SodaPop]

I usually don't put more than 100-200rds threw my Mini 14 when I go to the range. Usually because I'm testing reloads and taking my time. The last couple times I've been shooting surplus ammo and my barrel keeps changing color. I've noticed that gas seems to be blowing backwards and dirtying up the outside of the barrel.

If I take off the muzzle brake, is there something I can put on it to kind of seal it up? There is a set screw and a pin that holds it on. I should be able to get it off myself.

 

[SodaPop]

Somebody's gotta know............

 

[Big_R]

I'll take a whack at this:

What kind of brake do you have? Most brakes redirect gas up and slightly back to compensate. You may be getting some unburned powder (soot or other crap) settling back on your barrel. If it's leaking through between the barrel and the brake, you should be able to glass it in place using acraglass and a lot of release agent if you want to remove it at some time. If you never plan on taking the brake off, JB weld would hold it in place probably for ever.

If you want to test the seal, I would think wrapping the barrel with teflon tape and securing the brake would determine if there is a leak. Or I bet silicon caulk would seal things up also if you put a layer inbetween the brake and the muzzle. Just my .02.

Ryan

 

[SodaPop]

My brake looks exactly like an M14 brake.

If you never plan on taking the brake off, JB weld would hold it in place probably for ever.

What is JB weld?

Its absolutely leaking.

 

[Master Blaster]

JB Weld is epoxy.

I would hit the plumbing supply house, and ask for Rectorseal
or teflon tape, or ask if they have something better for hot pipes.

both rector seal and teflon tape a re designed to seal threads/ small gaps, and are designed to be removable so you can take the joint apart.

JB Weld is designed hold permanently.

 

[Edward429451]

Oh No! The nice long M1A type one that you posted a pic of awhile back? Bummer. I liked that and had thought of getting one for mine.

Rectorseal is no good, take it from a plumber. JB Weld is available from the autoparts store and is good stuff but permanent.

They have some stuff called "Leak Lock" (comes in a blue tube or blue plastic bottle) at the plumbing supply house and is used for rejoining galvanized or steel unions on boilers that have been together for years and must be reattached without leaking. It fills the pits & low spots and sets up hard given some time. It is semi permanent and works very good leakwise. I dont know if the residuals can be easily removed from steel, never tried. Maybe Hoppes or stripper would take it right off for cleaning?? You could tryit on some junk steel to see. This stuff is kinda thin but dont let that fool ya, it works. Downside is its a mess to work with and stains clothes, soaks into wood, and stays on your hands for days, so be careful where you slop it around.

Do you remove it often for cleaning, lots of on/off on/off? Maybe they'd replace it for you under warranty. Let us know, I'm pretty interested how it turns out.

 

[SodaPop]

My gunsmith actually made a mistake when he first put it on and didn't have it on all the way. I took it to the range and found out the bullets were hitting 2ft low at 100yds.

This was years ago.

The gun has about 8000rds threw it and I'm not going to go back and complain about it now. I rarely put more than a couple hundred round threw it in a day, but I'd just like to seal things up a little.