Grease on your barrel nut?

[titsonritz]

Several upper builds, some of them already taken apart and rebarreled, I use moly bearing grease or high pressure bearing grease (red stuff). With an upper, I don't put it together thinking I'll be taking it apart. The upper wears too. If I need to replace a barrel, the whole show is going at today's prices. Maybe different in the future.

Doesn't need to be a barrel, might just be a handguard change that uses a proprietary barrel nut.

 

[P7M13]

Does need to be a barrel, might just be a handguard change that uses a proprietary barrel nut.

Agreed. I really like those newer true free-float handguards that don't require the barrel nut to be timed. Have come to hate my quad rail handguards...

 

[v0lcom13sn0w]

aeroshell is what most people use. i either use a tiny bit antisiezeor nothing.

 

[HB of CJ]

Another different but still timely point of view. Dry. No lube whatever. Torque to 40 to 42 compensated foot pounds with perfect gas tube alignment. Takes time but is easy. Old school. Be sure to deck/surface the upper.

hundreds of builds.

 

[Ura-Ki]

I use Anti Seize, and never had any issues, other then that stuff get all over EVERY thing no matter how careful you are! Just ask @Stomper
stuff really works, use the aluminzed version and not the copper!

 

[matts]

Blue loctite everywhere.
Heat it up if you ever want to take it apart.
I only build for myself, and I really don't like a loose barrel and handguard nut.
Matt

 

[P7M13]

Be sure to deck/surface the upper.

How do you do this?

 

[Jcon268]

I don't have any of that fancy aero shell grease I see people suggest for the barrel nut when building a rifle. Will any grease do? Or do I need to use a specific type of grease to keep the threads from seizing? What are your recommendations?

I've use high temp lithium grease used for bearings and it's worked fine. By worked fine, I mean to say that I've put several thousands of rounds through after installation and removed the barrel and nut and swapped the barrel with no galling of sorts. Avoid any type of anti seize that would cause galling between a steel barrel nut and aluminum receiver. If you can get your hands on Aeroshell 33MS, that is a sure bet.

 

[PNWPrepper]

I've use high temp lithium grease used for bearings and it's worked fine. By worked fine, I mean to say that I've put several thousands of rounds through after installation and removed the barrel and nut and swapped the barrel with no galling of sorts. Avoid any type of anti seize that would cause galling between a steel barrel nut and aluminum receiver. If you can get your hands on Aeroshell 33MS, that is a sure bet.

Would something like white lithium grease work?

 

[osprey]

How do you do this?

Take a look at the second picture in first post of this thread

New range toy build with a review of a couple of the components

I have had a CMMG 16” dedicated 22lr upper for quite some time and after some slight tweaking it has been very reliable and accurate. It goes to the range with me almost every trip and has thousands of rounds through it. Based on that experience I have been wanting to build a braced pistol...

www.northwestfirearms.com

 

[Jcon268]

Would something like white lithium grease work?

I'd imagine it's fine so long as it doesn't contain graphite or agents that will promote galvanization. Moly grease will work well also if no graphite.

 

[coop44]

Kind of a personal question, but astro sex lube is better than aero.

 

[coop44]

But seriously, WTF! I have built dozens over the last twenty five years, used all kinds of lube , sometimes none at all. AS LONG AS IT'S TIGHT IT'S NOT CRITICAL. AR truly does stand for anal retentive, maybe they should be called OCD 15's.

 

[P7M13]

Take a look at the second picture in first post of this thread

If you mean face off the front of the upper receiver, i.e. square it, that's not apparent from your photo. If you mean something else, please explain. Thank you.

 

[osprey]

If you look, the mandrel tool fits tight in the upper to hold the lapping surface square to the axis of the upper. Apply some lube to the portion of tool in upper and lapping compound to the face of the upper at the barrel end and turn lathe on at low rpm and apply gentle pressure to other end of upper. Check and repeat until finish has been barely taken to bare aluminum on front face off receiver. This can also be accomplished by hand or with a hand drill.

 

[P7M13]

Thanks.

 

[Geardo]

I have used loctite, red bearing grease, oil. Pulled apart quite a few builds, worst case had to smoke em with a torch.

I'll get the right stuff for next time but not too worried about it.

All my guns are trash anyway.

 

[DirectDrive]

I can tell you for a fact that SIONICS uses Loctite C5-A.

That is messy schitt carried over from conventional gunsmithing.
Not needed on an AR.

 

[titsonritz]

That is messy schitt carried over from conventional gunsmithing.
Not needed on an AR.

Will Larson also used it during his years in Iraq and Afghanistan, we're talking thousands of guns.

 

[titsonritz]

Here's is an interview with Will just days before died unexpectedly, much of what he has to say has bearing on this topic.
Semper Paratus Arms – Armorer's Advice to AR Builders