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Posted: 3/6/2026 7:37:37 AM EDT
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The armorers wrench I have doesnt fit the end of the tube the best, and rounds it off. I'd like a one job only tool like the castle nut wrench I have, but I can't seem to find one. What works for you, and/ or do you know where to find a specific tool for this job? TIA |
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Originally Posted By Disguy: The armorers wrench I have doesnt fit the end of the tube the best, and rounds it off. I'd like a one job only tool like the castle nut wrench I have, but I can't seem to find one. What works for you, and/ or do you know where to find a specific tool for this job? TIA Armorer's Master Wrench |
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I know you said “one job tool.” I’m sorry, I don’t listen. These can also be used to install the bolt catch roll pin and dozens of other things. https://www.homedepot.com/p/KNIPEX-10-in-Pliers-Wrench-with-Smooth-Parallel-Jaws-86-03-250-SBA/206162134 |
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Needs to be one of the tools with the full oval shape of the tube thicker the better and the biggest thing is it has to be a 7075 T6 tube. The 6061 tubes just don't hold up to the torque unless the tool is a good fit. The one I use is not sold anymore. If I had to try a new one even though it is not a single use tool, I would try the Midwest Ind. one. It looks like it will take a torque wrench on both ends. |
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There are some cheap flat ones, OP. I'll get a pic when I get back to my laptop. ETA: This is the ProMag wrench I was thinking of, OP. Not sure if it'll grab a rifle extension properly, however: 
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Originally Posted By Disguy: The armorers wrench I have doesnt fit the end of the tube the best, and rounds it off. I'd like a one job only tool like the castle nut wrench I have, but I can't seem to find one. What works for you, and/ or do you know where to find a specific tool for this job? TIA The castle nut wrenchI have has a cut out for a rifle tube. |
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Originally Posted By j3_: Needs to be one of the tools with the full oval shape of the tube thicker the better and the biggest thing is it has to be a 7075 T6 tube. The 6061 tubes just don't hold up to the torque unless the tool is a good fit. The one I use is not sold anymore. If I had to try a new one even though it is not a single use tool, I would try the Midwest Ind. one. It looks like it will take a torque wrench on both ends. That may be the issue. It was a kit from PSA, but their site doesn't say which one it is. |
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Originally Posted By Disguy: I have this. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/609967/20260308_084620-3725740.jpg Looking for this. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/609967/20260308_084629-3725739.jpg But, like this. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/609967/20260308_084648- 3725738.jpg @Disguy BROWNELLS LINK (No personal experience. ) |
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Originally Posted By Disguy: Getting it off isn't the problem. It rounded off before it got torqued down. Have a new one ordered. We'll see how that goes. https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Torque-spec-for-rifle-buffer-tube/127-766256/? You've likely been exceeding the torque value with your armorer's wrench, and 6061 tubes are soft. Use 7075 receiver extensions, always. |
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Originally Posted By KitBuilder: Rifle receiver extensions only need to be 35-39 Ft./Lbs. so you shouldn't even need a wrench for that. Just grease the threads and tighten it by hand while the lower is on a vice block. https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Torque-spec-for-rifle-buffer-tube/127-766256/? You've likely been exceeding the torque value with your armorer's wrench, and 6061 tubes are soft. Use 7075 receiver extensions, always. Originally Posted By KitBuilder: Originally Posted By Disguy: Getting it off isn't the problem. It rounded off before it got torqued down. Have a new one ordered. We'll see how that goes. https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Torque-spec-for-rifle-buffer-tube/127-766256/? You've likely been exceeding the torque value with your armorer's wrench, and 6061 tubes are soft. Use 7075 receiver extensions, always. The blue highlighted part isn't even close to accurate. 35-39 foot pounds is not going to happen with hand tightening alone. And specifically with rifle buffer tubes you need a damn good wrench. Greasing the threads is accurate though. These are the best I've found for rifle buffer tubes. > https://www.brownells.com/tools-cleaning/general-gunsmith-tools/wrenches/car-15m4-buttstock-wrench/ And > https://www.brownells.com/tools-cleaning/gun-tools/rifle-tools/ar-15m16m4-buttstock-tool/ |
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Originally Posted By 556Cliff: The blue highlighted part isn't even close to accurate. 35-39 foot pounds is not going to happen with hand tightening alone. And specifically with rifle buffer tubes you need a damn good wrench. Greasing the threads is accurate though. These are the best I've found for rifle buffer tubes. > https://www.brownells.com/tools-cleaning/general-gunsmith-tools/wrenches/car-15m4-buttstock-wrench/ And > https://www.brownells.com/tools-cleaning/gun-tools/rifle-tools/ar-15m16m4-buttstock-tool/ |
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Originally Posted By mcantu: I don't see grease mentioned in the TDP for the buffer tube. Using grease would also change the torque values since the 40 +/-2 ft-lbs is for dry torque You get a different instruction on grease or no grease just by choosing which document to use. The US military's TM, the Colt Canada manual, the Colt manual, or the TDP assembly drawings. Everything from both to neither to one but not the other. |
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@TGWLDR suggested Brownell's link Got a new tube from Brownells also. Pretty sure the first one was from a PSA kit. This one is for sure 7075.    Had to slightly file it to get it to fit all the way into the curve.  This is a 5/8 crowsfoot, and then the wrench I originally used.   Torqued to 38ft lbs, showing very minimal wear.  Thanks everyone for your replies. |
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Originally Posted By Disguy: @TGWLDR suggested Brownell's link Got a new tube from Brownells also. Pretty sure the first one was from a PSA kit. This one is for sure 7075. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/609967/20260314_130101-3729520.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/609967/20260314_125115-3729524.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/609967/20260314_125057-3729525.jpg Had to slightly file it to get it to fit all the way into the curve. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/609967/20260314_125811-3729522.jpg This is a 5/8 crowsfoot, and then the wrench I originally used. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/609967/20260314_125233-3729523.jpg https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/609967/20260314_125850-3729521.jpg Torqued to 38ft lbs, showing very minimal wear. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/609967/20260314_130413-3729519.jpg Thanks everyone for your replies. Solid. Thanks for the update / details. 
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Originally Posted By ROMAD-556: Couple options here https://www.2uniquellc.com/shop I have a few of their tools and they are all excellent Love their barrel wrenches and the barreling spud, but their castle nut/rifle buffer tube wrench was not good. Mine was soft, the slot for the end of the rifle buffer tube actually deformed against the aluminum wrench flats. 
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Originally Posted By j3_: You get a different instruction on grease or no grease just by choosing which document to use. The US military's TM, the Colt Canada manual, the Colt manual, or the TDP assembly drawings. Everything from both to neither to one but not the other. Originally Posted By j3_: Originally Posted By mcantu: I don't see grease mentioned in the TDP for the buffer tube. Using grease would also change the torque values since the 40 +/-2 ft-lbs is for dry torque You get a different instruction on grease or no grease just by choosing which document to use. The US military's TM, the Colt Canada manual, the Colt manual, or the TDP assembly drawings. Everything from both to neither to one but not the other. |
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Yea it changes on what document you read. TDP I don't think mentions any either on either type and the Colt Canada one says to put it on the rifle tube but I saw no mention of putting it anywhere on the collapsible stock installation. The TM's might have jockeyed from just one to both but I would have to go back and look at all the ones I have to see. To be fair the lock ring on a spec assembly being put together with the TDP has a light preservative oil put on it after it was originally finished. Probably the plate too. Yea finish on the online drawings have a 5.3.1.2 finish with a supplementary oil applied. |
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