MA compliant muzzle device: pin, weld, crush washer - huh?

You just ask them to put a muzzle break on--they should know what to do. If they don't, then find another gunsmith.

But just so you know, if you have a plain, unthreaded barrel, they would most likely thread it then screw on the device using a crush washer to hold the tension (it crushes to the right size as it's tightened to the proper orientation). Then they make it permanently attached, which the most common method is to blind pin it (drill a hole, insert a pin through the device into the threaded area so it can't be unscrewed). Then they weld the pin in place so it doesn't back out, which makes it a blind pin because you can't see the pin, but you can usually see the weld if you look close enough. Secondly, the device could be soldered on with silver solder, which is rated at a high temperature (forget the spec at the moment). The third acceptable method to make it permanent would be to weld it in 360 degrees around the end of the device, but that's rare, but acceptable legally.

Not sure on what it will all cost but it *might* approach the cost of a new barrel purchased with a brake already permanently installed.

Thanks, I get it now.
When my project comes around to being ordered, I'll make sure they do it right.

Is a crush washer used on a pre threaded barrel as well?

Originally Posted by Reptile

Thanks, I get it now.
When my project comes around to being ordered, I'll make sure they do it right.

Is a crush washer used on a pre threaded barrel as well?

Yes, the crush washer is used on pre-ban threaded barrels as well.

Do you own a barrel right now? What brand and size? Is it worn? If it's like 50% past it's useful life I would just buy a new barrel. Likewise, if it's a cheaper brand it's probably not worth spending like $150 to put a muzzle device on it.

If you're buying something new then most manufactures will pin a compliant brake for you--even if it's not listed on their web site.

Originally Posted by Another_David

Yes, the crush washer is used on pre-ban threaded barrels as well.

Do you own a barrel right now? What brand and size? Is it worn? If it's like 50% past it's useful life I would just buy a new barrel. Likewise, if it's a cheaper brand it's probably not worth spending like $150 to put a muzzle device on it.

If you're buying something new then most manufactures will pin a compliant brake for you--even if it's not listed on their web site.

It is for a future build so it will be new.
Thanks

Originally Posted by Reptile

It is for a future build so it will be new.
Thanks

okay, so buy it already installed from the manufacturer. That's best and cheapest. Just know that once the muzzle devicel is pinned on that means you can't slide anything off the barrel: front sight (or gas blocks that don't clamp on), hand guard cap, and barrel nut are on there for good (or until you pay a gunsmith to remove the muzzle device). So make sure you get what you want before it's pinned on there.

The third acceptable method

All of this "acceptable method" description is speculation, as the state has never issued a ruling as to what is "acceptable", nor has there been a state court precedent laying down standards. What one can cay, however, is "Method X was considered acceptable by the BATFE during the 94-04 ban and, therefore, a credible argument can be made the state should accept it as well".

Ditto for the conclusion that "once an AW, always an AW, even if the evil feature is removed". Some have speculated this is the case but there is, to date, no statute, precedent or binding ruling that makes this clear at the state level.

FWIW, "blind pinned" actually means that the hole doesn't go all the way through the barrel, not that you can't see it.