Stuck piston on an old SWR HEMS II

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TomServo
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Stuck piston on an old SWR HEMS II

Post by TomServo »

Let me start my first post by admitting this is probably my fault for not cleaning properly.

I have been using this can both on pistols and on a 9mm AR-15 SBR. When doing the latter, I replace the recoil spring with a fixed barrel spacer Henry provided me years ago. I ended up really liking that suppressed SBR... and didn't think to clean as often as I probably should.

So, at this point I can unscrew the rear cap, remove the fixed barrel spacer, but the piston is stuck in the forward position. No amount of pulling or soaking in Kroil has helped me here.

I suspect I have basically fused the piston to the assembly with carbon. Can anyone recommend a solvent that might eat this away without damaging the can? I have't tried shooting it on a pistol with the spring added back yet. Is it possible to shoot it free that way if I am willing to deal with failure to cycle each shot?

I would like to say I love this silencer and it has given me and many others huge grins over the years. I know this is the user, not the product.
I really just need a Hybrid to replace this as my multicaliber, multiplatform can, but I don't have the disposable income I used to. Any wisdom would be welcome.

Note: While I use this on multiple platforms I have NEVER shot .22 through it. I do have a dedicated can for that filthy stuff.
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doubloon
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Re: Stuck piston on an old SWR HEMS II

Post by doubloon »

Have you tried kroil?

Other than that chem-dip is supposed to be OK for carbon but it's likely to eat any finish off the parts as well.
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TomServo
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Re: Stuck piston on an old SWR HEMS II

Post by TomServo »

I have tried plugging the muzzle with a cork and filling the whole unit with kroil, letting it soak overnight. No luck.

I may just have a dedicated fixed-barrel platform silencer now, which it can still serve as admirably. I'll try to save up for something. Either an Octane 9 HD or a Hybrid. I haven't paid much attention to the NFA world for a while so I thought I'd sign up here and read, read, read.
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doubloon
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Re: Stuck piston on an old SWR HEMS II

Post by doubloon »

sorry missed the kroil reference.

other than chem-dip all i got is a vice and a strap
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TomServo
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Re: Stuck piston on an old SWR HEMS II

Post by TomServo »

I'm not trying to unscrew the piston assembly, end-users aren't supposed to do that on this model. I'm trying to separate the piston itself, which seems fused to the internal face of the piston assembly. It is a problem of linear force, not torque, and I'm not going to mount this to a muzzle and take a mallet to the housing
TomServo
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Re: Stuck piston on an old SWR HEMS II

Post by TomServo »

I admit I'm a little surprised this hasn't happened to anyone else before. Other than "The Dip" and Kroil, does anyone have any ideas? Would break cleaner damage the suppressor internals or finish? Any other carbon disolving solution that might be safe?
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fishman
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Re: Stuck piston on an old SWR HEMS II

Post by fishman »

Have you tried chiseling away the carbon?
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TomServo
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Re: Stuck piston on an old SWR HEMS II

Post by TomServo »

I did try using a metal dental pick, working inside the piston outward. It is a tight space so it s had to see where the real problem is. I suspect the piston face is fused to the assembly. If the tabs of the piston are covered and blocked from moving in their channels that is not visibly obvious.
TomServo
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Re: Stuck piston on an old SWR HEMS II

Post by TomServo »

What about Slip 2000 carbon killer? Would that be safe to use if I plugged the muzzle, filled to soak, and drained/rinsed the can in 15 minute to half-hour long cycles?
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fishman
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Re: Stuck piston on an old SWR HEMS II

Post by fishman »

Have you tried shooting it on a pistol to break the piston loose?
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mpallett
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Re: Stuck piston on an old SWR HEMS II

Post by mpallett »

fishman wrote:Have you tried shooting it on a pistol to break the piston loose?
I agree with this.

if there are issue send it to me and I'll get it apart.


Matt / formerly from SWR.
Over weight Telco guy with a FFL/07 for hire :)
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