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Posted: 1/28/2013 10:50:03 AM EDT
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I am new to AR and to this forum. I was playing with my son's AR and that got me interested in building one for myself.
Of course, I run into the occasional issue ... I have a Shilen barrel and a Hogue free-float forearm. When I thread the barrel nut onto the upper to a barely finger-tight condition, the holes in the nut line up perfectly to thread the gas tube. That is too loose to hold, but I cannot get the nut quite all of the way to the next hole. I am thinking that a light stroke of a file across the barrel end of the upper would let me advance the barrel nut just a little bit further. Is this a reasonable approach, or is there some other solution I should be trying? Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions! |
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Most people would tell you to try another barrel nut. If you are going to file the front of the receiver you might as well square it with the Brownell's tool.
Brownell's receiver lapping tool I have had to use it several times for the very problem you state. It comes in especially handy when you have barrels with pinned front sight assembly's where trying another barrel nut involves too much work. |
| Go to Home Depot and get a strap wrench and some rosin. You MUST use the rosin on the strap wrench or it will slip. Use the rosin and you will not have any trouble getting it to the next hole. Put the file down and walk away from it. Muck with the front of the receiver that way and you are apt to ruin it. |
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Quoted: Most people would tell you to try another barrel nut. If you are going to file the front of the receiver you might as well square it with the Brownell's tool. Brownell's receiver lapping tool I have had to use it several times for the very problem you state. It comes in especially handy when you have barrels with pinned front sight assembly's where trying another barrel nut involves too much work. Nice. I didn't know that tool existed. |
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Big-Bore -
I'll give it another try. I broke one strap wrench putting it on, and thought for a bit I wouldn't get it back off! I can put a torque wrench on my new strap wrench, so I can see how tight it is getting. The barrel nut is part of the Hogue forearm, so replacing it would be another $90. Thanks to all for the advice! |
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Quoted:
If it lines up when finger tight you can definitely get it to the next notch. you are supposed to go 40-80 ft/lbs. Definitely this. Also, you can try taking the nut off, and trying it again. I had to take the nut off, and rotate 4 different times until I finally got it. I put around 60-70lbs on it. Didnt use a torque wrench, so Im guessing. But seems good, also be sure to use grease. It helps the threads seat better, and easier to take off if you torque it and it doesnt line up. Just try again. Try, try again. |
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Remember, the barrel nut is supposed to be torqued three times. It helps the threads of the receiver and barrel nut mate. Also, what are you using for lube on the receiver threads? You are supposed to use a moly grease. I use a moly engine assembly lube that works very well.
I have never had to try a different barrel nut to get the gas tube hole aligned in the course of building/rebuilding hundreds of M16s/M4s/ARs. Semper Fi |
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