Barrel Nut Removal Tips?

[Robb Jensen]

PROTIP: When removing bbl nuts ALWAYS use the clam shell type upper block which also has the inner upper support piece. I use the Brownells one. If you're worried about it leaving rub marks on your upper use masking/painters tape on the upper where the block contact it. I'd also suggest using the multiple pinned side of the Magpul wrench.

[TomMcC]

I put a piece of pipe on the end of my wrench to give me more leverage...gives me better feel I thought. I also use the clam shell.

[bamashooter]

Do you remember seeing any sign of grease on the disassembled receiver and barrel nut?

I also have a very nice, high dollar (Snap-On) dead blow hammer at my disposal, so I will keep that in mind.

Though I observed a fine white line where the barrel nut attaches to the rcvr, it was a thick grease-like substance. However, like one other I did, it was not on the threads of the nut or receiver. Almost like a perfect bead of soft caulk. I mean perfect. Perhaps a tiny concave toward the receiver. I was under the impression that the threads had been lubed and the "bead" I observed was "squished-out" grease. Evidently not the case. I remember because I ran a toothpick around the circumference about a 1/2" or so and a tiny bit stuck (very thin smear) to the toothpick. Bottom line, neither 2 had any visible substance on the barrel nut or receiver thread. Dry as a bone. I have the nut and cut-up pieces of delta assembly stored in a baggie. Just pulled them out, examined, ran finger, all of that kind of stuff and there's zero substance on them. One of the nuts was a PSA assembly and the one where the dead-blow was used was DPMS.

[556Cliff]

Though I observed a fine white line where the barrel nut attaches to the rcvr, it was a thick grease-like substance. However, like one other I did, it was not on the threads of the nut or receiver. Almost like a perfect bead of soft caulk. I mean perfect. Perhaps a tiny concave toward the receiver. I was under the impression that the threads had been lubed and the "bead" I observed was "squished-out" grease. Evidently not the case. I remember because I ran a toothpick around the circumference about a 1/2" or so and a tiny bit stuck (very thin smear) to the toothpick. Bottom line, neither 2 had any visible substance on the barrel nut or receiver thread. Dry as a bone. I have the nut and cut-up pieces of delta assembly stored in a baggie. Just pulled them out, examined, ran finger, all of that kind of stuff and there's zero substance on them. One of the nuts was a PSA assembly and the one where the dead-blow was used was DPMS.

Thanks for checking... Proper assembly with moly grease seems to be hit or miss outside of Colt.

[goaltendah1]

White lithium or Moly?

I honestly don't know. It was silver/gray in appearance.

Jeff

[556Cliff]

I honestly don't know. It was silver/gray in appearance.

Jeff

Doesn't sound like white lithium grease, maybe they've changed to something different.

[26 Inf]

I honestly don't know. It was silver/gray in appearance.

Jeff

More than likely it was Aeroshell 33MS

[AR-556]

I wonder if the OP removed the barrel nut?

[medicman816]

Still waiting on the clam shell vise block to arrive. Guess they were overwhelmed with Black Friday orders. Hoping by the weekend but no rush at the moment. Was hoping to get it off when I originally posted as I had a shooting trip planned. Will be a week or two till I can go again.

[medicman816]

And... SUCCESS!!!
Big thanks to everyone who. All of this knowledge is certainly going in my toolbox for later use.
21 days after the original post (read about it below if you're so inclined)
I totally recommend the clam shell style vise block listed above. The nut was off within a minute and with what seemed like much less effort than the reaction rod, not to mention less than 1/2 of the price.


Boy was this an interesting ride. The first clamshell was ordered along with a few other items on a black friday sale. I missed the email from the retailer saying "sorry, we no longer carry it but were shipping the rest of your order anyways." The order arrived and, surprise, no vise block. I then ordered through the retailer listed above, got a confirmation page afterwards, but no e-mail, until 3 days later saying "you have this in your cart, did you still want it." So "ordered it" a second time and it finally arrived today.