Posted: 12/30/2015 9:07:06 AM EDT
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I'm going to be sliding the hand guard over the barrel and onto the barrel nut for the final install. Are you guys using blue loctite on the little screws that secure the hand guard to the nut? Or, are you just torquing them and leaving it as is? It's the first time that I have had a FF hand guard that screws into the barrel nut. |
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I just leave it but you could use blue Loctite.
If you assembled the barrel (gas block, tube etc) then I would just tighten it, and not use Loctite until you can do a function/cycle live fire test to be sure the gas block is aligned properly with the port on the barrel, and everything cycles ok. |
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Quoted:
I just leave it but you could use blue Loctite. If you assembled the barrel (gas block, tube etc) then I would just tighten it, and not use Loctite until you can do a function/cycle live fire test to be sure the gas block is aligned properly with the port on the barrel, and everything cycles ok. agreed. ive never used locktit on hand guard bolts. they stay pretty night as is |
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agreed. ive never used locktit on hand guard bolts. they stay pretty night as is Quoted:
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I just leave it but you could use blue Loctite. If you assembled the barrel (gas block, tube etc) then I would just tighten it, and not use Loctite until you can do a function/cycle live fire test to be sure the gas block is aligned properly with the port on the barrel, and everything cycles ok. agreed. ive never used locktit on hand guard bolts. they stay pretty night as is Same here,no loctite, haven't had any issues. |
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Thanks- I don't want them coming loose. However, If I loctite them and I strip the threads for the hand guard I'll be Fubar.
On the flip slide I wonder if a little barrel nut grease on the screw tips would be a good approach? I know, I'm probably over thinking it (character flaw)  .
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Honestly, if I were to apply anything it'd be anti-seize. I hate anti sieze. Makes a mess and grease works just as well. If you must put something on the screws a dab of the grease you use for the barrel nut will be good. I would not put anything on them. If you plan to make this a SHTF gun that your life may depend on then you may want to use Loctite or stake the screws, etc. I like to change stuff on my guns so I do not use Locitite or stake the castle nuts. Once I have determined my builds are "done" I will Loctite and/or stake things. Blue Loctite is removable the Red is considered permanent. You can remove the Red with heat and heat helps the Blue come loose too. If these screws are going to get hot then Loctite is a waste of time anyway. |
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I don't want them coming loose. However, If I loctite them and I strip the threads for the hand guard I'll be Fubar. The average hairdryer will put out enough heat to break Blue Loctite free. Just use moly-fortified grease as directed by the M16/M4 Tech Manual. Aero Shell 33MS or Valvoline part # VV632 high temp wheel bearing grease, found at your local auto parts store. Its composition is very close to the specified grease. |
| I used blue lock tite on the small screws in my Seekins rail. It has 6 counter sunk torx screws and they backed out the first time I took it to the range. I'm sure if I really cranked them they would stay put,but I went with a dab of blue and "reasonably tight" to prevent myself from stripping or seizing them in. |
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Yep, I used aero shell on the barrel but. I was thinking of dabbing the screws with this. Will this provide a little resistance against the screws vibrating loose? I figured there might be enough heat there to defeat the blue anyway. No the grease does not prevent the screws from coming loose. The grease prevent galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals. Same reason it is used on the barrel nut. The nut is steel and the upper is aluminum. Loctite is used to hold screws in place. I would not use anything until you are sure you like it. Then just a drop of blue. Make sure to clean any oil or grease off the threads when you use Loctite otherwise you will defeat the purpose of thread locker. |
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No the grease does not prevent the screws from coming loose. The grease prevent galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals. Same reason it is used on the barrel nut. The nut is steel and the upper is aluminum. Loctite is used to hold screws in place. I would not use anything until you are sure you like it. Then just a drop of blue. Make sure to clean any oil or grease off the threads when you use Loctite otherwise you will defeat the purpose of thread locker. Quoted:
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Yep, I used aero shell on the barrel but. I was thinking of dabbing the screws with this. Will this provide a little resistance against the screws vibrating loose? I figured there might be enough heat there to defeat the blue anyway. No the grease does not prevent the screws from coming loose. The grease prevent galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals. Same reason it is used on the barrel nut. The nut is steel and the upper is aluminum. Loctite is used to hold screws in place. I would not use anything until you are sure you like it. Then just a drop of blue. Make sure to clean any oil or grease off the threads when you use Loctite otherwise you will defeat the purpose of thread locker. I've heard of the galvanic corrosion, screws are steel attachment threads are aluminum. I just didn't know if the grease would bind it a little. |
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I've heard of the galvanic corrosion, screws are steel attachment threads are aluminum. I just didn't know if the grease would bind it a little. Quoted:
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Yep, I used aero shell on the barrel but. I was thinking of dabbing the screws with this. Will this provide a little resistance against the screws vibrating loose? I figured there might be enough heat there to defeat the blue anyway. No the grease does not prevent the screws from coming loose. The grease prevent galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals. Same reason it is used on the barrel nut. The nut is steel and the upper is aluminum. Loctite is used to hold screws in place. I would not use anything until you are sure you like it. Then just a drop of blue. Make sure to clean any oil or grease off the threads when you use Loctite otherwise you will defeat the purpose of thread locker. I've heard of the galvanic corrosion, screws are steel attachment threads are aluminum. I just didn't know if the grease would bind it a little. The grease wil not cause it to bind or make it any more prone to loosening. The grease will prevent galling. Don't overthink this. Put them in and go shoot. If you find they loosen after shooting then hit with a dab of blue Loctite and enjoy! |
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I hate anti sieze. Makes a mess and grease works just as well. If you must put something on the screws a dab of the grease you use for the barrel nut will be good. I would not put anything on them. If you plan to make this a SHTF gun that your life may depend on then you may want to use Loctite or stake the screws, etc. I like to change stuff on my guns so I do not use Locitite or stake the castle nuts. Once I have determined my builds are "done" I will Loctite and/or stake things. Blue Loctite is removable the Red is considered permanent. You can remove the Red with heat and heat helps the Blue come loose too. If these screws are going to get hot then Loctite is a waste of time anyway. Quoted:
Quoted:
Honestly, if I were to apply anything it'd be anti-seize. I hate anti sieze. Makes a mess and grease works just as well. If you must put something on the screws a dab of the grease you use for the barrel nut will be good. I would not put anything on them. If you plan to make this a SHTF gun that your life may depend on then you may want to use Loctite or stake the screws, etc. I like to change stuff on my guns so I do not use Locitite or stake the castle nuts. Once I have determined my builds are "done" I will Loctite and/or stake things. Blue Loctite is removable the Red is considered permanent. You can remove the Red with heat and heat helps the Blue come loose too. If these screws are going to get hot then Loctite is a waste of time anyway. It only makes a mess if YOU make a mess with it. 
Yes, grease "may" work as well in the short term(I have nothing to support for or against that), but anti-seize is bar none when it comes to preventing galling. I use it every day on roofs in direct sunlight, and it stands up to EVERY condition and in open air. I have removed stainless steel bolts from aluminum 8 years later with no problem. I can't personally say that about any greases. |