Echo1 AK74 CPW Flash hider lug, stuck?

[MooseHead92]

Hello, airsoft M.D.'s, how are you tonight?

I'm looking to get a fix for my (somewhat) crippled AK-74? When I removed the default orange slanted flash-hider off my AEG, the lug that is located above the barrel threads wouldn't budge. In the end (and probably not very wisely) I decided to take a punch and a hammer, and gently hammered the lug back into the sight.

Now, I'm looking to slap on an AKS-style flash hider, but I can't really do that without that lug. IU checked the underside of my front sights, there is something holding the sights tight onto the barrel (and maybe putting pressure on the now-stuck lug) but I can't for the life of me tell if it's a regular screw, an Allen screw, or a rivet (which I'm dreadful of).

Does anyone have an Echo1 AK-74 CPW rifle purchased recently? Can you tell me if you also encountered the same issue, and how you fixed it (if it was even possible)?

I don't see how a rivet might work since that would interfere with the inner&outer barrel assembly, plus rivets need bucking and you can't buck a rivet without having space for a bucking plate. But I could very well be wrong.

Any help, please? It'd be much appreciated!

Cheers!
~MooseHead92