M4 Barrel Nut

jareyes · November 25th, 2009, 22:54

Hey guys, just had a quick question.

I was trying to remove the barrel nut off my M4 today in order to install a free-floating RAS but it was super stubborn. So, instead of ruin a perfectly good-looking barrel nut I looked into it online for a bit and found that most sensible people resort to using an AR wrench to take the barrel nut off safely.

Now, that being said, let's say I want to be a little insensible and ask who else out there is just as insensible as I am and wants to or has removed the barrel nut without an AR wrench? I've heard of all types of solutions from using liquid wrench to just cutting off the barrel nut, what solutions have you guys come up with? If any solutions out there exist, have they generally come up with good results (i.e. not too much damage to the barrel nut)?

Apologies in advance if this has already been asked (especially if recently), just didn't turn up much after searching through ASC and google (first couple of pages tbh).

Drake · November 25th, 2009, 23:17

Get an AR wrench and do it properly. You'll need it to screw the new barrel nut on anyway (or were you planning on using Krazy Glue?)

You can always try a strap wrench or something...

I've had to cut off a barrel nut that was really stuck on hard (too much torque can end up damaging your receiver), its more work than its worth if you don't absolutely have to.

Ronan · November 25th, 2009, 23:46

If you don't want to buy the proper tools, get someone to do it.

Or buy the proper tools...

http://www.uncompany.com/pageproduct...p?prodid=23423

Azathoth · November 26th, 2009, 02:11

http://www.airsoftparts.ca/store2/in...roducts_id=838

also a good buy

ujiro · November 26th, 2009, 02:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azathoth

http://www.airsoftparts.ca/store2/in...roducts_id=838

also a good buy

I've got this. Best thing I've ever bought. Period. Does wonders for the various rifle parts/assemblies.

jareyes · November 26th, 2009, 02:47

Appreciate the input guys.

However, I wasn't so much asking if you guys had any success with the wrench/ barrel nut tool as we all know it's the best thing to use in terms of taking care of the parts and assemblies, but rather if anyone had tried anything else period and what were the levels of success achieved with those methods.

Is it just that all other attempts at doing this with something other than the proper tool ended in complete failure? I can understand why it would end up that way but there are some pretty ingenious people out there; has anyone tried anything else? Even if it ended disastrously, I'd wanna hear about that too.

Don't get me wrong though guys, I do appreciate the input (and the links!). In fact, I'm probably going to end up ordering a tool tomorrow.

ujiro · November 26th, 2009, 03:09

I've been able to get off RAS barrel nuts but using a pair of needlenose pliers, and another time with a lock wrench. Just gotta get creative :P.

m102404 · November 26th, 2009, 12:13

You can use channel lock pliers...you can use some soft blocks of wood in a vice.

Basically, anything that you can grab it with to get enough torque force will do. How badly you mess up the delta ring or how much risk you take in snapping the body is up to you.

Cast metal upper receivers do not take much stress before they snap.

turok_t · November 26th, 2009, 17:08

I was having the same problem as u since my barrel nut was really tight and i didnt wabt to buy a AR wrench... channel locks didnt work, pliers didnt work. Instead, I found a much easier way. Place a towel on your nut and place a flat head screw driver on one of the teeth. Use a hammer and light hit one of the tooth anticlockwise and then it will budge.. It worked like a charm for me..

jareyes · November 26th, 2009, 21:45

hey turok, thanks for the tip! unfortunately, I tried that and dinged my nut (hah) up a bit already.

Needless to say, I just ordered myself an AR tool. Thanks for the input all!

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November 25th, 2009, 22:54	#1
jareyes Trader rating Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto	M4 Barrel Nut Hey guys, just had a quick question. I was trying to remove the barrel nut off my M4 today in order to install a free-floating RAS but it was super stubborn. So, instead of ruin a perfectly good-looking barrel nut I looked into it online for a bit and found that most sensible people resort to using an AR wrench to take the barrel nut off safely. Now, that being said, let's say I want to be a little insensible and ask who else out there is just as insensible as I am and wants to or has removed the barrel nut without an AR wrench? I've heard of all types of solutions from using liquid wrench to just cutting off the barrel nut, what solutions have you guys come up with? If any solutions out there exist, have they generally come up with good results (i.e. not too much damage to the barrel nut)? Apologies in advance if this has already been asked (especially if recently), just didn't turn up much after searching through ASC and google (first couple of pages tbh).

November 25th, 2009, 23:17	#2
Drake E-01 Trader rating Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Montreal, QC	Get an AR wrench and do it properly. You'll need it to screw the new barrel nut on anyway (or were you planning on using Krazy Glue?) You can always try a strap wrench or something... I've had to cut off a barrel nut that was really stuck on hard (too much torque can end up damaging your receiver), its more work than its worth if you don't absolutely have to. __________________

November 26th, 2009, 03:09	#7
ujiro Trader rating Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Burlington, ON	I've been able to get off RAS barrel nuts but using a pair of needlenose pliers, and another time with a lock wrench. Just gotta get creative :P. __________________ I love freedom and consequently America

November 26th, 2009, 02:47	#6
jareyes Trader rating Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto	Appreciate the input guys. However, I wasn't so much asking if you guys had any success with the wrench/ barrel nut tool as we all know it's the best thing to use in terms of taking care of the parts and assemblies, but rather if anyone had tried anything else period and what were the levels of success achieved with those methods. Is it just that all other attempts at doing this with something other than the proper tool ended in complete failure? I can understand why it would end up that way but there are some pretty ingenious people out there; has anyone tried anything else? Even if it ended disastrously, I'd wanna hear about that too. Don't get me wrong though guys, I do appreciate the input (and the links!). In fact, I'm probably going to end up ordering a tool tomorrow.

November 26th, 2009, 12:13	#8
m102404 Tys Trader rating Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto	You can use channel lock pliers...you can use some soft blocks of wood in a vice. Basically, anything that you can grab it with to get enough torque force will do. How badly you mess up the delta ring or how much risk you take in snapping the body is up to you. Cast metal upper receivers do not take much stress before they snap.

November 26th, 2009, 17:08	#9
turok_t Trader rating Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada	I was having the same problem as u since my barrel nut was really tight and i didnt wabt to buy a AR wrench... channel locks didnt work, pliers didnt work. Instead, I found a much easier way. Place a towel on your nut and place a flat head screw driver on one of the teeth. Use a hammer and light hit one of the tooth anticlockwise and then it will budge.. It worked like a charm for me..

November 26th, 2009, 21:45	#10
jareyes Trader rating Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto	hey turok, thanks for the tip! unfortunately, I tried that and dinged my nut (hah) up a bit already. Needless to say, I just ordered myself an AR tool. Thanks for the input all!

M4 Barrel Nut

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