Gunsmithing What to do if the barrel nut just won't line up?

[4Rail_Gunner]

Well I haven't had this happen before, but
Installing a Free float handguard on an AR-15
when I get the barrel nut snug the gas tube hole is about half a hole off.
I can tighten the hell out of it and get it to line up.
And when i say tighten the hell out of it, I ended up distorting the barrel nut outer holes now the handguard won't screw on.
So as I wait for another barrel nut to show up in the mail I ask this.

Is there something you can do to get the nut to line up easier?
I greased the threads, snugged it up 3 times then tightened it with these results.

 

[JimT]

Re: What to do if the barrel nut just won't line up?

Snug it, then back it off to the first full hole. You don't need to put the nut on with a cheater pipe.

 

[toddk]

Re: What to do if the barrel nut just won't line up?

NEVER back it off.

Use lots of moly grease on the face of the barrel extension and threads.

Tighten three times and then torque to 35 ft lbs.

Tighten to the next hole if needed. If it's too tight back it off, and continue to tighten and back it off. You may have to stay at it 10-20 times and make sure to re lube a few times but it will get you there without braking anything.

 

[David300]

Re: What to do if the barrel nut just won't line up?

Clean up the receiver face (preferably with a truing tool ) it does not take much to get it..

 

[BForhan]

Re: What to do if the barrel nut just won't line up?

I have taken a dremel and removed the offending tooth on the nut barrel nut in the past. If it was tightend down and did not line up.

Brian

 

[bigwheeler]

Re: What to do if the barrel nut just won't line u

Take a little off the face of the barrel nut. I use a piece of 180 wet or dry on a
flat surface and work the offending piece over it. Keep rotating it in your hand and
check often with dial calipers to keep it flat. If you have access to a surface grinder
it's even better. Won't take much. This is assuming you don't have a receiver
lapping tool. They are about 20.00 at midway.