The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

It lookl like I've been a muppet....

I always remove my Wildcat Evolution moderator from the rifle after using it, then normally dismantle the moderator to let it dry out, grease the threads with copper slip, then reassemble.

Last time I used it, I left it laying on my bench but didn't get around to doing anything with it... I used it again yesterday, then went to dismantle but find the main part of it won't unscrew from the "bridge".

Anyone got any ideas..??

I've tried drowning it in WD40 for a couple of hours... won't budge... I then gave it 30 mins in the ultrasonic bath, again, won't move.

I dribbled some bore cleaner around the junction, hoping it would find its way into the threads and left it overnight... still won't budge this morning.

I've ordered a couple of strap wrenches form the 'bay to help with gripping it, but has anyone else had this problem, and a way to solve it..?

TIA

Daryll.

Warm it up as much as you dare if it still wont move
repeat and spry the bit with the inside thread with
pipe freezer.

Thanks Ralph, I was thinking about a heat solution this morning.... when i get home I'll try standing the bridge (with the external thread) in some boiling water...

Daryll.

I think you need to put a flame to it, I don't think boiling water will get it hot enough.

Phew, I though Dromia had been arrested at Customs for a moment..

One of my Wildcat Predators did the same, usually a large amount of heat will get it loose but this time it was porked. Ended up hacksawing through the tube and getting it off that way, luckily I had a spare shorter tube set lying about (as you do!).

New Evolution I have is def. more prone to getting stuck but at the rear, it's loosened at both joints after every session, still ended up very tight last time we used it. I usually apply some silicone to the inside of the tube and a bit of Copperslip to the threads.

Try tightening a wee bit first to get some movement, then try unscrewing it. I'm assuming the section that's stuck is the bridge to the dimpled section, ie the front, as the rear section is held in by a rubber o ring and does not unscrew.

The problem is holding it. I use a compact 25 ton press with sized hard wood inserts and a liberal dusting of Rosin to hold the body then some heat on the end and a crescent wrench to undo the offending part. Expect some marking although you can always bung it in a lathe afterwards to give is a tidy up.

I had a Howa 1500 come in a while ago that with a Sound Mod was seized to the barrel so I dropped the stock off, Moderator in the press and an action key in the receiver and leant on a breaker bar on the end to crack the moderator off. It was so tight I half expected the barrel to unscrew from the receiver instead!

WelshShooter wrote:Try tightening a wee bit first to get some movement, then try unscrewing it. I'm assuming the section that's stuck is the bridge to the dimpled section, ie the front, as the rear section is held in by a rubber o ring and does not unscrew.

Yes, the rear ("reflex"?) section came off with no problems, its the dimpled part that stuck to the bridge.

I don't need it for a while, so I think I'll drown it again in WD40 or penetrating oil and leave it several days... by then the rubber strap wrenches should have arrived so they'll help with grip... ( I'm afraid i don't have access to a 25 ton press :) )

If that doesn't work i'll start with heat... boiling water to start, then get the gas torch out.... that will destroy the rubber seals, but they're cheaper than a new moderator!

Thanks for the advice Gents...