uspatriot1960
Custom
That’s why I was asking. One of the hand guards I was looking at said it used a standard GI barrel nut. It didn’t come with it, but was only $8.50 to purchase from them.
Handguards
- Thread starter uspatriot1960
- Start date
HansGruber
Ronin
Not necessarily; Daniel Defense Omega uses a standard GI nut…there’s several others that do as well.
uspatriot1960
Custom
Yep, this is one I’m looking at that does.
HansGruber
Ronin
Looks decent, fairly lightweight…
It's not standard when most free float handguard manufacturers don't use the so called standard.
It's called a GI standard because that's what the US military uses as a standard and doesn't it mean it's an industry standard across the board.
TEXASforLIFE
SAINT
I've never seen a freefloat use a delta ring before. Waste not want I guess.
TEXASforLIFE
SAINT
I don't even know if the word "common" could be used either.
I'm at roughly 20 builds right now of different configurations and I've only used a GI barrel nut twice so far.
uspatriot1960
Custom
OK, I’ve decided on handguards for both my uppers. Have one and will be ordering the other before too long. Seems like I should be able to do it myself, however, I have a couple questions.
The biggest one is how to torque the barrel nut. I have a torque wrench, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to use it. You obviously can’t use a socket. An open ended wrench or armorers wrench (if it fits) would be a possibility, but there’s no way to attach a torque wrench to it. Do you guys have a trick, or do you just have a feel for it?
The other question is, I have a muzzle device on one that uses a crush washer to time it. Can I reuse the crush washer or should I replace it when I put the muzzle device back on?
The biggest one is how to torque the barrel nut. I have a torque wrench, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to use it. You obviously can’t use a socket. An open ended wrench or armorers wrench (if it fits) would be a possibility, but there’s no way to attach a torque wrench to it. Do you guys have a trick, or do you just have a feel for it?
The other question is, I have a muzzle device on one that uses a crush washer to time it. Can I reuse the crush washer or should I replace it when I put the muzzle device back on?
uspatriot1960
Custom
Here’s the barrel nut I need to install. Kind of a weird nut. The flat sides are square to each other. Didn’t come with a wrench.
uspatriot1960
Custom
May just take it to my LGS. By the time I bought the stuff I needed, it’ll cost me more than they charge. And if something went wrong, I could only blame myself. Lol.
And for the one I’ve got now, the vendor where I bought the upper and the new handguard said they’d do it for free if I send it back to them. May just go that route.
And for the one I’ve got now, the vendor where I bought the upper and the new handguard said they’d do it for free if I send it back to them. May just go that route.
SimonRL
Hellcat
If you’ve got flat side on your barrel. It you need a crows foot wrench. They’re cheap. Have you got your original handguard off yet. Have you tried loosening the barrel nut? The barrel nut on my FX-9 used a proprietary wrench that I did not have and the nut had been put on by Thor himself. I had to go to the gunsmith to get the nut off. The rat of it was smooth sailing.
I'm surprised it didn't come with a wrench for the proprietary nut like Aero sends with their handguards. Most armorer wrenches typically come with a 1/2 x 1/2 square hole so you can use a torque wrench with it.
Magpul, Real Avid, Wheeler, and even most of the cheap Amazon wrenches come with a torque wrench square hole cut.
Also if you're changing out the barrel nut yourself I highly recommend a reaction rod or a barrel vise block so you don't damage your upper.
uspatriot1960
Custom
Got the handguard off. Undid the gas block, but need to get an upper block to hold it in a vice before I try to do the nut or the muzzle device.
uspatriot1960
Custom
Yeah, that’s what I was thinking too. If I get what I need locally, it’s $30 for the upper block, $70 for the reaction rod and whatever the crows foot wrenches cost - if I can find them locally. I can get both my uppers done by LGS for much less than that. Might as well get someone who actually knows what they’re doing to take care of it. Not that I’m not confident I could do it, but might as well let the pros take care of it…
Should be pretty inexpensive to have a local smith take care of it most likely between $20-$30 per barrel install.
uspatriot1960
Custom
$40. Maybe a little high, but still cheaper than buying all that stuff. Especially if it’s for one or two times use.
^ to which you followed up with....
Realistically, if this is a one-time thing, the LSG's services may be a better option, particularly if they'll stand behind their work.
Investment in the right tools and accessories is recommended, though, if you anticipate more builds or parts changes -or even just in-depth troubleshooting- in the future. If this is the case. the Magpul BEV Block is a good place to start.
uspatriot1960
Custom
Got the one done. $30 plus new crush washer. Dropped it off at 10am, got the call it was done at 2:30pm. I also got a chance to talk to the store owner about my suppressor process. What he’s saying and what I’ve been reading don’t exactly match up, but he’s going to look into mine for me. At least I’m on his radar.
This whole NFA thing just for a suppressor is ridiculous.
This whole NFA thing just for a suppressor is ridiculous.