Removing thumb nuts from AR carry handle
I have a removable carry handle on my SBR, but am in the process of removing any un-necessary weight and clutter. I've got it about as streamlined as I can get, except for those two big nuts on the side of the carry handle. I want to remove them and replace them with some small hex nuts that will be more flush.
The screws are peened over with an X pattern that won't let the nuts turn all the way off... I'm thinking the only thing to do is drill the ends of the screws to remove the peen. Is there a good, wasy and hard to screw up way to get these things off???
Thanks!
ParkerNT
No, you pretty well have the concept.
Cobalt bit or carbide end mill.
With a little torque from a big @ss screwdriver the nuts actually turned right off. Apparently the nuts are harder steel than the screws and just cut new threads through the peened over end. They actually screwed right back on just fine, only difference is they now come off.
ParkerNT
One way is to "iron" the staking out.
Apply a good lube like CLP Breakfree then unscrew the nut until it gets tight.
Screw it back in a turn, then back out until it gets tight again, then in again.
Each time you unscrew it it'll will turn slightly farther and it'll iron the staking out without over stressing and possibly stripping.
lube it and put some torque on it- they will come off.
