barrel nut torque - point of no return?

[dukduk]

once you torque a barrel nut to a certain torque and the gas tube cutout isn't aligned, is it safe to loosen the nut and then retorque to a lower setting for final install?

searched for the answer for about an hour on 3 different days

[Clint]

You are supposed to tighten and loosen the nut 3 times to mate the threads together.

Final torque (from memory) is 30-80 ft-lbs.

[dukduk]

yup, i meant after that. I went too far on the 4th pull, can I go back to 40-50ish ft-lbs after near 70?

[Iraqgunz]

Hafa Adai! The torque range is from 30-80 ft./lbs. If you feel you need the wrench, set it at 30 ft./lbs and then torque until you hit it. Then mark where the barrel nut is at with a white paint pen. Then I would loosen the nut, remove the torque wrench and then slowly tighten again (I would work the threads several times) first.

Keep tightening until you hit the next spot where the nut will allow you to insert the gas tube. Then put it all together.

once you torque a barrel nut to a certain torque and the gas tube cutout isn't aligned, is it safe to loosen the nut and then retorque to a lower setting for final install?

searched for the answer for about an hour on 3 different days

[dukduk]

Hafa Adai!

hafa nai...

The torque range is from 30-80 ft./lbs. If you feel you need the wrench, set it at 30 ft./lbs and then torque until you hit it. Then mark where the barrel nut is at with a white paint pen. Then I would loosen the nut, remove the torque wrench and then slowly tighten again (I would work the threads several times) first.

Keep tightening until you hit the next spot where the nut will allow you to insert the gas tube. Then put it all together.

thanks, i'd say the threads are worked and the barrel is seated. i got overeager and was close to 70 ftlbs on that 4th actual pass. so now i'll set to 30 on the wrench, then just go to the next notch. when it's all lined up and final, will it be good to go if its under 70 ft-lbs? say in the low 50s, or is that too loose after going up to 70?

not sure if i asked the question the right way

[Iraqgunz]

As long as you loosen and re-torque and not simply loosen you are fine. I use my MK 1 MOD 0 arm rather than a torque wrench, but I have also done hundreds of barrels.

I generally aim for the middle of the road when I have to use one. Right around 45-50.

hafa nai...



thanks, i'd say the threads are worked and the barrel is seated. i got overeager and was close to 70 ftlbs on that 4th actual pass. so now i'll set to 30 on the wrench, then just go to the next notch. when it's all lined up and final, will it be good to go if its under 70 ft-lbs? say in the low 50s, or is that too loose after going up to 70?

not sure if i asked the question the right way

[dukduk]

rog', thanks

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

great info thanks guys

[dkindig]

As long as you loosen and re-torque and not simply loosen you are fine. I use my MK 1 MOD 0 arm rather than a torque wrench, but I have also done hundreds of barrels.

I generally aim for the middle of the road when I have to use one. Right around 45-50.

This...

Go to 30, and then tighten as needed to align gas tube cutout. Final torque isn't critical as long as it's over 30 and doesn't exceed 80.

[K.L. Davis]

Great input from IG...

Unlike fasteners... which use a torque to stretch the fitting for tension, the barrel nut on the AR actually "crushes" the upper receiver proboscis onto to barrel extension, this is one of the parts of a very clever design that makes the rifle inherently accurate.

30 - loosen - 30 - loosen - 30 loosen - 30 then line up a notch; this works just fine. As with any torque setting, if you loosen before torquing, you are fine.