Do you think I will have to swap the barrel nuts?

[OverCookedRock]

I have a simple man's PSA AR15 with what I've been told has a barrel nut that was torqued by Thor himself.

I have a new 15in freefloat coming in from another manufacturer and was wondering if I will need to swap barrel nuts?

They look different but to my understanding the bolts sorta just tighten around it and pins go through the groves.

The two are almost identical in terms of the groove location. I ordered a wrench anyway but scared of Thor's work lol and would be nice to just slap on there real quick like.

First pic is the PSA one, second pic is the new one (still somewhere with USPS)

Cheers!

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[Nosferatu]

No reason to purposely have an orphaned nut hanging around.

 

[JuglansRegia]

When it comes to rails and their nuts there is no standard. Every manufacturer does their own thing.

 

[OverCookedRock]

No reason to purposely have an orphaned nut hanging around.

Well I figured if they both work the same I can sell/trade the current 13.5 with it but I think you're right and shouldn't take the lazy way....unless they're practically identical in terms of mounting

 

[Velzey]

It's doubtful that the grooves are in the same location. Also the diameter might be slightly different.
When it comes to removing stubborn ones, heat is your friend!
If heat doesn't do the trick then split it.

 

[arakboss]

I have a simple man's PSA AR15 with what I've been told has a barrel nut that was torqued by Thor himself.

I have a new 15in freefloat coming in from another manufacturer and was wondering if I will need to swap barrel nuts?

They look different but to my understanding the bolts sorta just tighten around it and pins go through the groves.

The two are almost identical in terms of the groove location. I ordered a wrench anyway but scared of Thor's work lol and would be nice to just slap on there real quick like.

First pic is the PSA one, second pic is the new one (still somewhere with USPS)

Cheers!

View attachment 1975211 View attachment 1975212

If you can confirm diameters are the same for both nuts, I vote for leaving the old one on there.

What wrench set up and upper vice block or reaction rod are you using to try and loosen old nut?

 

[OverCookedRock]

If you can confirm diameters are the same for both nuts, I vote for leaving the old one on there.

What wrench set up and upper vice block or reaction rod are you using to try and loosen old nut?

I have just a 556 suited armor's wrench coming in. I don't have a block but figured I could use one so I can always stop by harborfreight and do the towel and 2x4 method in the vice. I do have a blow torch if heat is required.

I thiiiiiink my handguard is actually coming in today. Tracking has been a little funky with usps but I'm getting something today from where I believe the manufacturers warehouse is.

 

[msgriff]

I have just a 556 suited armor's wrench coming in. I don't have a block but figured I could use one so I can always stop by harborfreight and do the towel and 2x4 method in the vice. I do have a blow torch if heat is required.

I thiiiiiink my handguard is actually coming in today. Tracking has been a little funky with usps but I'm getting something today from where I believe the manufacturers warehouse is.

A standard armorers wrench won't work with those barrel nuts. You typically use crowfoot heads with a breaker bar for removal and a torque wrench for installation. Sizes vary, with 1-1/8" and 1-1/4" being common, but 1-3/16", 30mm. 1-5/16" and others are used. You want a good tight fit, especially for difficult removals, and the thickness of the crowfoot head can come into play.

 

[OverCookedRock]

A standard armorers wrench won't work with those barrel nuts. You typically use crowfoot heads with a beaker bar for removal and a torque wrench for installation. Sizes vary, with 1-1/8" and 1-1/4" being common, but 1-3/16", 30mm. 1-5/16" and others are used. You want a good tight fit, especially for difficult removals, and the thickness of the crowfoot head can come into play.

Worst worst case I will stop by my local Smith and they can do it in 2mins haha