Posted: 7/5/2017 7:59:56 PM EDT
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Ok, so long story short: I bought a lightweight 16" freedom upper a few months ago to use as a duty rifle. I've since left that agency and decided I would try a 6.5 barrel in it. The problem is that I can't get the barrel nut loose. I've tried heat, cold, penetrating oil. I took it to a local gunsmith who dinged the upper pretty badly trying to get it apart, and ultimately he told me he couldn't get it apart.
I tried calling the toll free number on the website to see if loctite was used, but after waiting on hold for 15 minutes and hearing my personal pet peeve ('your call is very important to us') over and over I finally gave up. I am not pleased. I've built and bought probably 20 different AR's over the years, and this one is the only one I've ever had to use more than a wrench and 5 seconds of time to take apart. This is ridiculous. |
| I hate having to make phone calls for any reason, especially can't stand waiting on hold. I would suggest sending a message through their help center. I sent a message yesterday evening about an upper with a slightly canted front sight. I woke up this morning to an email response asking for more info. I wrote back with the requested info and had a UPS label emailed to me about 2 hours later. |
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I hate having to make phone calls for any reason, especially can't stand waiting on hold. I would suggest sending a message through their help center. I sent a message yesterday evening about an upper with a slightly canted front sight. I woke up this morning to an email response asking for more info. I wrote back with the requested info and had a UPS label emailed to me about 2 hours later. I don't think they use loctite on the barrel nuts, but if your gunsmith damaged your upper trying to remove it you should find a new gunsmith.  I've removed many barrel nuts that were borderline seized, and never had any damage occur. Definitely email them though. |
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From last year SERVED-USMC had the same issue and several others also. PSA wasn't very helpful with his either.
Just some ideas of what he did. I think they are just gorilla'd on there with minimum grease or lube. SERVED_USMC finally got it but he worked on it for a bit. Archived Barrel Nut Thread - 08/2016 |
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I hate having to make phone calls for any reason, especially can't stand waiting on hold. I would suggest sending a message through their help center. I sent a message yesterday evening about an upper with a slightly canted front sight. I woke up this morning to an email response asking for more info. I wrote back with the requested info and had a UPS label emailed to me about 2 hours later. Have you tried freezing your upper OP? |
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I've never had a barrel nut not come loose when I remove the barrel by the book showing clamping the barrel, not the receiver, like too many people are doing, which is wrong.
I don't care how many Youtubes of Brownells showing how to do it wrong are out there. Seriously |
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I've never had a barrel nut not come loose when I remove the barrel by the book showing clamping the barrel, not the receiver, like too many people are doing, which is wrong. I don't care how many Youtubes of Brownells showing how to do it wrong are out there. Seriously the 2 threads are from barrel nut and upper, the barrel is just being sandwiched in between, shouldn't clamp on the barrel 
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clamp the barrel? then you are using the index pin to turn with the upper, it could sheer off, that doesn't sound like "the right way" to do it the 2 threads are from barrel nut and upper, the barrel is just being sandwiched in between, shouldn't clamp on the barrel http://wyomingarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/BarrelNutCutaway.jpg |
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clamp the barrel? then you are using the index pin to turn with the upper, it could sheer off, that doesn't sound like "the right way" to do it the 2 threads are from barrel nut and upper, the barrel is just being sandwiched in between, shouldn't clamp on the barrel http://wyomingarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/BarrelNutCutaway.jpg Please, read the manual. They're everywhere free download. If you're working on firearms without reading the manuals, doing it how Bubba does it in youtube, it won't end pretty some day. Cheers |
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He was not saying turn the receiver. He said clamp the barrel and then meant turn the barrel nut. I have never done this, just clarifying his statement. If you can clamp the barrel without damage then it is stronger than the aluminum receiver. |
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I'll say it one more time. Please, read the manual. They're everywhere free download. If you're working on firearms without reading the manuals, doing it how Bubba does it in youtube, it won't end pretty some day. Cheers |
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I'll second this. I had an inquiry about a gas key from a premium BCG I ordered, and PSA refunded the difference of a blem BCG in roughly 6 hrs. Have you tried freezing your upper OP? Also, I contacted PSA via the form on their website on Friday. No response yet. |
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I don't know about the manual, but it's simple mechanics anyone can think it through, manual is written by human, which can be wrong Quoted:
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I'll say it one more time. Please, read the manual. They're everywhere free download. If you're working on firearms without reading the manuals, doing it how Bubba does it in youtube, it won't end pretty some day. Cheers Here's the manual: https://archive.org/details/ArmyTechnicalManualforM16Rifle-Tm9-1005-249-23p Page 3-22 You'll need the proper tools also. |
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I think you clearly stated the issue. Here's the manual: https://archive.org/details/ArmyTechnicalManualforM16Rifle-Tm9-1005-249-23p Page 3-22 You'll need the proper tools also. LInky |
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I think you clearly stated the issue. Here's the manual: https://archive.org/details/ArmyTechnicalManualforM16Rifle-Tm9-1005-249-23p Page 3-22 You'll need the proper tools also. |
| The PSA factory uppers that i've taken apart are on there like cement. they do not use locktite. I put it in my bench block, and then i just really really really really cranked on it. it finally spun free. i would suggest more leverage assuming you're using the proper tools. |
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clamp the barrel? then you are using the index pin to turn with the upper, it could sheer off, that doesn't sound like "the right way" to do it the 2 threads are from barrel nut and upper, the barrel is just being sandwiched in between, shouldn't clamp on the barrel ] .... yep.... by putting the barrel in a vice. It has been successfully done that way for eons. I'm not saying it's best to use a barrel vise... but it DOES work. I've also had barrel nuts that simply would not line up and after about 23 torque's and 80 ft/lbs.. they FINALLY line up (yes, I know, shims would have been better). So I can understand how some barrels may be a real B**CH to get off (80 ft/lb will feel like well over 100 trying to crack it loose). It is kind of scary taking those off (I've often thought I'd bend/warp some receivers too). Definitely not for the faint of heart! 
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Yes. I tried freezing it. I tried heating it up. I tried hitting the wrench with a rubber mallet. I've tried a penetrating oil. Also, I contacted PSA via the form on their website on Friday. No response yet. |
