The brake has a right hand thread and is held in position with a spring loaded pin. I have tried Aerokroil, carbon remover, and Breakfree. While supporting and protecting the ears ofthe sight, I have applied a lot of torque. The brake refuses to move. I am hesitant to apply more than 100 ft-lbs of torque. If I apply 100 ft-lbs of torque, the end of the sight is getting about 1200 lbs of force. (The supported part of the sight is about 1 inch long.) This is like running over the sight with a car. I have two more methods in mind:
1. Submerge the brake thread in boiling water. I will use a large kettle so that the rifle does not cool the water. This has the advantage that the brake will be heated rapidly. The idea is to get the brake to expand while minimizing expansion of the male threads.
2. Use an impact wrench. I'll fashion a steel bar with a double nutted bolt. put the bar through the brake, put the wrench on the bolt and carefully pull the wrench trigger in short bursts. I'll also start with the wrench at minimum torque.
Unless someone tells me that the impact wrench technique has been done without damaging the rifle, I may just accept the fact that this brake cannot be removed without destroying it. I can cut the brake off with a band saw then use a Dremel tool to cut two slots down to the threads. I suppose, as a last resort, I could take it to a gunsmith, but, how am I going to find a gunsmith who has experience in removing brakes from AK's?
I would guess that threaded shotgun choke tubes have this same problem if they are left in too long. Maybe I should post on shotgun forums too.
1. Submerge the brake thread in boiling water. I will use a large kettle so that the rifle does not cool the water. This has the advantage that the brake will be heated rapidly. The idea is to get the brake to expand while minimizing expansion of the male threads.
2. Use an impact wrench. I'll fashion a steel bar with a double nutted bolt. put the bar through the brake, put the wrench on the bolt and carefully pull the wrench trigger in short bursts. I'll also start with the wrench at minimum torque.
Unless someone tells me that the impact wrench technique has been done without damaging the rifle, I may just accept the fact that this brake cannot be removed without destroying it. I can cut the brake off with a band saw then use a Dremel tool to cut two slots down to the threads. I suppose, as a last resort, I could take it to a gunsmith, but, how am I going to find a gunsmith who has experience in removing brakes from AK's?
I would guess that threaded shotgun choke tubes have this same problem if they are left in too long. Maybe I should post on shotgun forums too.