Gunsmithing AR Build / Extra Heavy Barrel / Barrel Nut

PGG

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Sep 10, 2010
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Posting for Jimbuck who is having log in problems

AR Build / Extra Heavy Barrel / Barrel Nut

Currently working on an AR 15 Build and purchased a extra heavy barrel 1.5 tapered to .920. I intended on installing a Yankee Hill free float handguard, however the barrel nut is not large enough in diameter to get passed the gas block area on the barrel (yes gas block has been removed). Do they make a larger barrel nut? I have searched a Midway and Yankee Hill sites and have not seen anything. Has anyone had any experience with this issue.

If you do not have positive or helpful input please do not respond.
 
Re: AR Build / Extra Heavy Barrel / Barrel Nut

Even if you could get the nut over a 1.5" tube it will no longer thread onto a AR upper. The OD of the upper receiver threads is 1.24". Even on an AR-10 upper the OD on the receiver is 1.4". That tube was either not made for an AR platform OR is was made over size to be contoured. I suppose you could make an adapter to fit on the upper but that is counter intuitive as you still need to get the barrel extension to fit.

Where did you get the tube from?

Cheers,

Doc
 
Re: AR Build / Extra Heavy Barrel / Barrel Nut

The barrel has the barrel extension attached and it does fit into the receiver. The barrel came from Midway and is a Model 1 sales barrel. The handguard is Yankee hill and it came from Midway, and included the free float barrel nut.
 
Re: AR Build / Extra Heavy Barrel / Barrel Nut

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jim Buck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The barrel has the barrel extension attached and it does fit into the receiver. The barrel came from Midway and is a Model 1 sales barrel. The handguard is Yankee hill and it came from Midway, and included the free float barrel nut. </div></div>

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/245508/...steel-gas-block

Is this the barrel you bought? If so, you have 2 options:

1. Return the YHM FF tube to Midway and exchange it for the Mode 1 sales FF HG that will fit your barrel.

2. Hog out the inside diameter of the YHM barrel nut until it passes over the gas block area and fit your tube.

Good luck.
 
Re: AR Build / Extra Heavy Barrel / Barrel Nut

I would guess that your barrel nut either can't get over the .936 gas block area or the step just past where the barrel goes up in diameter. I would measure from gas block back towards chamber and look for a barrel nut with that I.D. size.

Your best bet might be to shoot an email to YHM with the barrel figures and ask them what they have.
 
Re: AR Build / Extra Heavy Barrel / Barrel Nut

That is the barrel. That sounds like those are my only options, I thought this might be a common problem. I searched for barrel nuts on quite a few sites with no luck. Of course if I started this build on Friday I could have contacted someone at YHM or M1, now I just have to dwell on it one more day and postpone a trip to the range. I hate to resort to modifying the nut until I speak with either manufactures, I would hope Yankee Hill makes an oversized nut.
 
Re: AR Build / Extra Heavy Barrel / Barrel Nut

Something is not right here.

The tube in question has the extension installed which fits flush against the upper. It is slightly less that the diameter of the upper so that the shoulder can be pressed against the upper and have a nut screwed on. The barrel is also smaller than the outside diameter of the extension. The YHM nut for the customizable FFT that I just went out and measured screws right on to the upper and over a standard extension and has a shoulder at 1.060" to retain the barrel against the upper.

Are you sure that barrel is 1.5" in dia.?

Cheers,

Doc