Ar barrel nut won’t come off

[Saltwater60]

Having trouble getting the barrel nut off on my 6.8SPC barrel.
I’m installing a scope and a carbon fiber handgaurd. I’m using it for hunting and I want it to be fairly light. I read 35lbs/in for torque. This has to be way over that. There’s no gas block hole so it should have been torqued down to about 40 lbs/in imo. I’m going to hit it with some lube and let it sit until tomorrow. Never been fired so it can’t be gunned up. I got it to move a little bit in the wrong way and figured it would back off, but it’s not budging the other way at all. I checked and there’s no pins or anything.

 

[Saltwater60]

Here’s some pictures

 

[dsdmmat]

Was probably torqued to 70 foot pounds by bubba.

 

[cgrutt]

My first guess would be castle nut was staked to prevent it from coming loose. Dremel will reverse. Second guess would be thread locker. If they used blue it should come off with some persuasion. Red... well more persuasion and maybe a little heat lol.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

This methodology holds true across all mechanical disciplines.

 

[Saltwater60]

I might just leave it. I was just going to swap to a different handguard. Might not be worth all this bs. The carbon fiber one isn’t that much lighter than the short aluminum handguard that’s on there now.

 

[Jem45472]

If it's a non indexing barrel nut, I'd also guess they used red loktite. You could try putting some heat to it.

 

[kev74]

I might just leave it. I was just going to swap to a different handguard. Might not be worth all this bs. The carbon fiber one isn’t that much lighter than the short aluminum handguard that’s on there now.

That might be for the best. Aluminum can gall easily. You might be looking for a new upper if you try too hard loosening it.

 

[Jem45472]

That might be for the best. Aluminum can gall easily. You might be looking for a new upper if you try too hard loosening it.

On second thought, I would have to agree with this. They should have used some type of grease to keep from galling the upper, and it shouldn't be that difficult to remove.

 

[Acer-m14]

did u get a left hand threaded nut ..

 

[Twogunwilly]

Why take the barrel nut off to swap handguards? I'm a little confused

 

[Jem45472]

Why take the barrel nut off to swap handguards? I'm a little confused

Most aftermarket handguards use a proprietary barrel nut to secure them.

 

[Runner99]

Weaver barrel vice and breaker bar

 

[Saltwater60]

Weaver barrel vice and breaker bar

It’s not your upper by the way!! Thanks.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Stick it in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Use a breaker bar. I had to do that when I changed uppers on my S&W sport. Barrel nut just would not break loose.

 

[GUNSICK]

If your not using a vice block you will never get it off.

 

[@thewheels]

On sale and I'm ordering one today.

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...-barrel-extension-torque-tools-prod27452.aspx

 

[Saltwater60]

If your not using a vice block you will never get it off.

Yep I have one. I didn’t use it, but I’ll get it set up and use it this weekend. I did t think it would be that difficult.