Loose Barrel Nut
I was adding a new grip to one of my rifles and I noticed that the FF rail I had on it wiggled. At first I thought that the screws holding the FF rail to the barrel nut had come loose even though I used red lock tite. It was not the rail. The barrel nut was loose!
I removed the Midwest Industries 10" FF rail completely. Then the flash suppressor and then the gas block and gas tube. The barrel nut was loose enough that I was able to undo it without a tool.
The odd thing is I have never touched the barrel nut EVER. I cut the delta ring assembly off this rifle to install the FF rail.
The rifle has less than 500 rounds fired through it during three total range sessions. Not what I would call heavy use.
My first mistake was taking this rifle in on trade. It was a NIB Stag Model 1. Yes I know. I have made the required upgrades short of replacing the barrel.
My second mistake was obviously going cheap and installing the MI rail.
Since the FF rail bolts directly onto the barrel nut I assume this is the cause of the nut working loose. The MI does not have any lugs or anything else that would help reduce or eliminate rotation. The only thing that would be in the way of it rotating is the gas tube! Ok its a shitty design. I agree.
So I have decided to restore it to its orgininal configuration. I ordered a new delta ring assembly and barrel nut just in case along with some new FSB taper pins since I can't find the OEM pins. No loss. I have a spare F marked front site so no need to buy another.
Eventually I will just add a DD Omega rail or a VLTOR CASV-EL to it.
Any idea if replacing the barrel nut with a new one will help? I will torgue it down to spec and rebuild the rifle.
Pisses me off. I know Stag isn't exactly a tier 1 rifle but holy crap! After less than 500 rounds the barrel nut works loose!
Well another lesson learned the hard way. On the plus side I caught it before I shot it again.
"Run fast. Shoot straight. Die proud." -Boba Fett
Trample the weak. Hurdle the dead.
"Despite what your mamma told you, violence does solve problems." -Ryan Job
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