Stripped barrel threads
 

Hey, yesterday I bought a Lancer Tactical M4 RIS over at Toronto Airsoft. Had it at a friend's house over night, then got it home today. I ordered a supressor for it a few days prior from Airsoftparts.ca or whatever, so I was anxious to get it on. The allen key screw on the flash hider wouldn't budge, so I pretty much lit it on fire, melted the area around it, and yanked it out, which went rather well. After that I stuck the tip in some boiling water for a few seconds to loosen it up a bit. Since I'm a tool, I must have turned the flash hider the wrong way, or just not let it cool enough, or something, because all the threading on the plasticy outer barrel is completely stripped.

Is there any way I can fix this, or will I already have to get a metal outer?

The outer barrel was plastic...
I thinks that was yer first mistake.
If its not too badly messed up you may be able to rethread it (should be -14mm x 1mm let someone else confirm tho)
Otherwise yes youll need either a new outer or you may also be able to cut the outer a lil shorter and rethread

Not really plastic. PVC or something, plasticy, but stronger/more flexy

And crap, was afraid of that answer. Probably a lot easier for me to just replace it with metal, rather than finding someone with a threadermajigger/proper cutting tools.

Plastic, lit it on fire, and surprised of the outcome? (o_O)
Yeah I think you're best with metal...

Didn't light anything near the threads on fire, just the outside of the bit around the hex screw, just enough to pry it out with pliers.

It was plastic on plastic and you melted it?

To quote myself:

Cleared that up then?

Unfortunately, you're best bet is to get a metal barrel.

On the good side though, it will be more stable and far less prone to breaking then the stock plastic one.

Cool, was planning to get one anyways, just didn't want to have to spring for it quite yet.

Sub $20.00 solution: Madbull 1" Barrel Extension + JB Weld.

Could do, but I wan to get one of those "sniper style" straight tube barrels on it anyways. Granted I can find one reasonably priced and the right length

Understood.

(Speculation: Not familiar with Lancer Tactical polymer quality) I would be mindful about attaching a metal OB to a polymer body; more so if the new metal OB is a longer length and with the added weight and length with a suppressor attached. Yes, the new metal OB can take more abuse, but where it meets the polymer body; probably not so much. If you're sticking to the original length I wouldn't think it'd be too much of an issue; just something to think about.

I'm actually thinking of going shorter than the original length (from 14.5 down to 10 inches), and the polymer seems decent, already dropped my hammer on it about 4 times with no visible damage (checked seams and such, too)