Help removing the barrel on an AR10?

[bhoges]

I let it sit overnight with Kroil on the nut. I dont have the right vise for an AR10. I heard they are tight as hell. Seems 223 barrels pop right off. I dont want to torque or break the upper. Any tips? Probably should just purchase the upper holder for the vise and not risk it.

 

[ORD]

Re: Help removing the barrel on an AR10?

Yep...they can be a real PITA to remove (especially if its from the factory and has seen some use since new). The mix of crud, carbon build-up, solvents, oil, etc., individually and/or combined with dry lock from the anodizing used can cause you problems. Even with the overnight bath in Kroil, they can be tough.

Best advice..use the proper tools for the job and it'll come off. Not worth damaging anything by half-@$$ing it or trying to "make it work" with tools/vice blocks not meant for the job. I've removed factory installed barrel nuts from undisclosed mfgs that required as much as almost 100ft/lbs of torque to losen the nut.

 

[BCP]

Re: Help removing the barrel on an AR10?

Well, you can either put the upper and lower together and then stick a board in the magwell and the board in a vise (use your imagination) or get a 308 action block for ~35$. JSE Surplus has them in stock most of the time.

And yes the factory barrel nuts on most AR's are a pain. 223 and 308.

 

[salmonaxe]

Re: Help removing the barrel on an AR10?

I did it like this, but I would prefer to not do it this way. I do have a delrin bore guide which I used to support the rest of the upper. I feel this makes it less likely to tweak the upper at the ejection port. Still I would prefer to have done it with a clamshell like this link. I only have an AR-15 clamshell from brownells and I don't know if the one in the link is .308 specific. If it is, then I haven't been able to find it for sale on Bushmaster's website. (This is a forum member, maybe he will chime in.)
http://www.8541tactical.com/precisionar10.php

Besides this, I think that the next best way to secure an upper would be to use this kind of tool, where their is a delrin piece that goes all the way up through the receiver into the charging handle groove but then secure it like in my first picture. (With wood or cutting board going across the top rail.) I just wouldn't want to put that kind of stress on the take down lugs. I definitely wouldn't use the kind that don't go up into the receiver and put all the stress on the take down lugs.
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1983

I've used a propane torch many times to help loosen up a stubborn barrel nut. Once I had to put an upper in the freezer in order to help it break free.

 

[BCP]

Re: Help removing the barrel on an AR10?

I use this:

http://www.jsesurplus.com/dpms308pantherreceiverclaw.aspx

 

[bhoges]

Re: Help removing the barrel on an AR10?

Got it off thanks. I guess between the Kroil, heat and a breaker bar it worked. Thanks for that like I the install now I know the torque specs. Great link.

 

[onyx1357]

Re: Help removing the barrel on an AR10?

I also use the plastic blocks in the vise