Ar15 Barrel Nut NO VICE can it be done?

Are there any methods of removing the barrel nut to install a freefloat and retorque it? I have nowhere in my apartment to mount a vice. Theres gotta be a way.

Mount a vice to a board/panel. Put board and vice on carpet. Profit

Thats what I'm talkin about! I'm going out to buy a vice and wood. Got a trick to get around needing a special AR block without destroying the finish on the upper?

You will end up damaging the upper rather than just messing up the finish if you attempt to put an upper receiver in a vice. You may end up crushing it to the point that your bolt carrier group will no longer fit or function in that upper. If you look at most receiver blocks they come with an insert to prevent crushing the receiver. If you don't have the proper tools for the job, it may end up costing you more money to fix it in the long run.


IMO 3 ways to do it right.
1 post in the HTF and see if anyone close by can help you out
2 Take it to a gunsmith
3 order an action block and do it the right way.

My brother tried it once. Once

He twisted the upper.

Then he spent $40 on the upper clamp,, $100 on a new upper and not only changed the barrel like he set out to do, but changed the upper also.

Harbor Freight rental plan....

1) drive to harbor freight.

2) look for appropriate vice and c-clamps.

3) Buy said tools with credit card.

4) invite a friend with AR tools over and use said tools and vise.

5) return vise and clamps in as good of shape as you bought them.

6) WIN!!!!!!!!

I wasn't suggesting not using an action block. Though I have gone without in the past it is a great way to screw up an upper.

This is freaking BS plan! Make the commitment to buy the stuff and keep it for further use. If you're too cheap or broke to buy tools to keep then maybe you shouldn't be messing with ARs anyway.

I c-clamped my upper to the kitchen table on my first barrel change. I had an upper receiver block though.

Keep the crap for GD in GD.

Yes I am cheap and yes I am broke haha..Army isn't going to be paying good till I finish my OCS packet. I don't see why you have to be "of means" to be messing with ARs...I only want one and its a one time gig poppin off a barrel nut and I'm done..forever. I was lucky enough to find a local gentleman on here and he was kind enough to let me use his AR block, without telling me I'm too poor to own an AR. THANKS!

As far as buying and returning tools, I wouldn't feel right doing that. If I was a small store owner I wouldn't want my customers to do that to me.

First AR i Built I used a stainless fluted sabre defense barrel. Since the barrel is indexed to the upper receiver I clamped the barrel into a SOFT FACED VICE (clamping face was made of wood). That allowed me to retrieve proper torque o the barrel nut. Since then I have bought a upper receiver block and do it the right way now. I don't know how well this method will work on a round barrel, but i was able to get it done easily with the fluted barrel.

Years ago, I built an FAL with an action block I made out of oak, clamped to the work bench in my garage. My vise was broken, and I had more time than money right then, hence my ability to take the time to meticulously fashion the action block. I had to apply heap-big torque to get that barrel timed right, but everything held together, and it turned out surprisingly well. That being said, there's a big difference between a steel FAL receiver and an aluminum AR receiver. Don't know if I'd take the chance cob-jobbing a homemade block for an AR receiver.

I have the DPMS action block, which is fantastic, but the design is such that it really NEEDS to be clamped into a vise - otherwise I'd consider letting you borrow it. If you're going to cob something to a board, you probably need a clam shell type. Somebody might let you borrow one, but they may be reluctant if they know you won't be using it in the conventional way. Might be worth a try though. Good luck!

i use two 4.5" electrical box covers and use them to spread the pressure over the entire upper. one fits between the lugs and the other goes against the picatinny slots.

I've never used a upper reciever block when swapping out AR15 or AR10 barrels at the shop. just use vice blocks for the barrel, you can make those yourself, and be 100% assured that no damage can happen to your upper.

DING DING DING..........we have a winner......

You stated your in the Army. If your unit armorer dosent have the tools, take the upper and a bottle of whisky by third shop, Im sure someone there can help you.

I learned a long time ago, and this it true of any job, the right tool for the job makes for an easy job.

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