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View Full Version : Make Your Own M&P15-22 Barrel Nut Tool - How I Did It



bluepythons
12-08-09, 21:44
Hello Everyone,

I am still a pretty new guy here but I thought this might help others with their project. Mod's feel free to move this to a more appropriate forum if needed.

I have seen on here and other sites about how people have removed their M&P15-22 Barrels to have them threaded etc. I have seen one members pic on the tool he made and thought I should give it a try. I made my tool, then took some pictures of how I did it with a piece of scrap and I thought I would share. Now let me preface this with saying I am not a machinist so if someone says an edge is a little off, oh well, the tool works as it should. The only thing I used was a Dremel tool with some various bits which I will mention.

Here is the tool I made:
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1221.jpg

A little info about the barrel nut first. The nut threads onto the barrel kind of like a regular AR15. It is 1.125" in diameter and has four slots for the teeth of the tool. The slots are at 12,3,6, and 9 o'clock positions and are about .185" wide and about .133" deep. See Pics of the nut:
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1204.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1205.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1206.jpg

I tried at first using 1" conduit but it was too large as 1" is the inner diameter. I then went to my local Fastenal store and found some 3/4" thick wall pipe that was just over an inch outer diameter, it matches up to the nut pretty close.
Pic of the pipe and nut:
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1209.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1210.jpg

I cut my pipe to about 18" long and then used a piece of tape wrapped about 1/8" down from the edge, this will be the depth of my teeth.
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1212.jpg

Then I cut some thin strips of tape and placed them covering the 12,3,6, and 9 o'clock positions, this is marking where my teeth will be. I just eyeballed them and they worked fine.
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1213.jpg

After I had the tape in place, I used a paint marker to mark where I had to cut to get my teeth in place. Once I removed the tape whatever is blue is where to cut. Keep in mind I made my teeth marks thin so I left some extra room when cutting.
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1213.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1214.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1215.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1216.jpg

I just used a Dremel tool and a cutting wheel, the ones advertised for metal and started cutting away the blue marked areas leaving some to spare. Once I got close I kept checking it with the actual barrel nut and ended up with this. I cleaned up the teeth later with a file further, this is the rough cut.
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1217.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1218.jpg

Once the tool fit the nut I could actually remove it by hand. One the other end I thought about drilling a hole so I could use a screwdriver but that pipe is thick. I ended up finding an old socket in the junk drawer and JB welded it in the other end. I think it will hold just fine as there wont be much torque needed. This way I can now use a socket T handle to tighten it.
http://homepage.mac.com/davetimm/Sites/photos/IMG_1219.jpg

After it dries and sets I will sand it and spray it with a coat of black spray paint.
Hope this helps. This project was super easy and the pipe was around 5 bucks.

Thanks,
Dave bluepythons

SPDGG
12-08-09, 21:48
I wonder if a Daniels Defense Lite Rail Barrel Nut Wrench would work?

perna
12-09-09, 03:44
I wonder if a Daniels Defense Lite Rail Barrel Nut Wrench would work?

The nut is inside the rail, so no it will not work.

Nice job on the tool.

SPDGG
12-09-09, 03:53
The nut is inside the rail, so no it will not work.

Nice job on the tool.
Gotcha, Thanks. T