Colt 6940 Barrel Nut Wrench (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 3/27/2024 11:52:47 PM EDT
[Last Edit: OTDR][Edited]
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Anyone know where I can get one? Arrington Accuracy has retired. I have Googled the world over, no luck. |
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Other than the already mentioned stand by sources, the secondary market or a fab/machine shop is likely your best bet. As far as the 6940 and M5, confirmed that both nuts are identical? |
Can't never could 'til try came along.
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
R.I.P. to the EE
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
R.I.P. to the EE
Scroll down > here < to post #14 for Specialized Armament's review of Arrington Accuracy's 6940 barrel nut wrench. It wasn't good, but I think I remember hearing that the Arrington Accuracy 6940 wrench may have improved in a later generation.  Arrington Accuracy also chimed in there on post #15. I know there are no good available options here short of sending anything involving 6940 barrel installation/removal off to Specialized Armament... And that's not really a great option either. |
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Originally Posted By 556Cliff: Scroll down > here < to post #14 for Specialized Armament's review of Arrington Accuracy's 6940 barrel nut wrench. It wasn't good, but I think I remember hearing that the Arrington Accuracy 6940 wrench may have improved in a later generation. Arrington Accuracy also chimed in there on post #15. I know there are no good available options here short of sending anything involving 6940 barrel installation/removal off to Specialized Armament... And that's not really a great option either. The person who texted me he thought he had one wasn't able to locate it. Thanks Cliff, I have read that thread before. Im going to order the nut from SA over the weekend and get a local machinist to fab me up a wrench of my own design. |
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Originally Posted By OTDR: The person who texted me he thought he had one wasn't able to locate it. Thanks Cliff, I have read that thread before. Im going to order the nut from SA over the weekend and get a local machinist to fab me up a wrench of my own design. Originally Posted By OTDR: Originally Posted By 556Cliff: Scroll down > here < to post #14 for Specialized Armament's review of Arrington Accuracy's 6940 barrel nut wrench. It wasn't good, but I think I remember hearing that the Arrington Accuracy 6940 wrench may have improved in a later generation. Arrington Accuracy also chimed in there on post #15. I know there are no good available options here short of sending anything involving 6940 barrel installation/removal off to Specialized Armament... And that's not really a great option either. The person who texted me he thought he had one wasn't able to locate it. Thanks Cliff, I have read that thread before. Im going to order the nut from SA over the weekend and get a local machinist to fab me up a wrench of my own design. I'm kinda surprised that the 6940 barrel nut is $75 from SA... It's not like these are discontinued. Brownells needs to carry these, but it seems like they can't even get standard Colt parts restocked. 
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Originally Posted By OTDR: Yes! Originally Posted By OTDR: Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Other than the already mentioned stand by sources, the secondary market or a fab/machine shop is likely your best bet. As far as the 6940 and M5, confirmed that both nuts are identical? Yes! Thanks. 
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Can't never could 'til try came along.
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
R.I.P. to the EE
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
R.I.P. to the EE
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Originally Posted By OTDR: Its here and its Incredible lol! Attached File |
Can't never could 'til try came along.
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
R.I.P. to the EE
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
R.I.P. to the EE
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Looks solid. And pricey. 
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Can't never could 'til try came along.
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
R.I.P. to the EE
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
R.I.P. to the EE
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Originally Posted By OTDR: COLT IAR First picture ever on the internet. https://i.imgur.com/k7Rl6ba.jpeg Hefty and it's beautiful! 
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Originally Posted By OTDR: Cliff, sent you a PM, and thanks for being here with me the past 2 weeks walking thru all the drama lol. Originally Posted By OTDR: Originally Posted By 556Cliff: Hefty and it's beautiful! Cliff, sent you a PM, and thanks for being here with me the past 2 weeks walking thru all the drama lol. Thanks for keeping me in the loop! Never did I ever imagine that Ken Elmore would ever be willing to part with one of these wrenches. |
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Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Details @OTDR Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Originally Posted By 556Cliff: Never did I ever imagine that Ken Elmore would ever be willing to part with one of these wrenches. Details @OTDR This is the real deal custom made latest generation Specialized Armament 6940 barrel nut wrench. It wasn't cheap, but I'll let OTDR fill in any other details.
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He's got a video up! Colt 6940 Barrel Nut Wrench, Unboxing Video. |
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Originally Posted By 556Cliff: This is the real deal custom made latest generation Specialized Armament 6940 barrel nut wrench. It wasn't cheap, but I'll let OTDR fill in any other details. I cannot thank Ken Elmore at Specialized Armament enough for selling me one of his very rare and very special Colt 6940 Barrel nut wrenches. I would have been happy if I could have found one of the Arrington Wrenches, but now glad I didn't. After I bought my 6940 I also bought one of these Arrington Accuracy Wrenches sold by Brownells. There is quite a history on these Arrington wrenches if one searches. Here is the Cliff Notes. The original design was "open". So no need to drive out the taper pins on the gas block. Although made out of Chrome Vanadium, it wasn't heat treated, thus the tangs bent after a few uses. I found a picture of this during my searches. Phil Arrington then redesigned it to be fully enclosed. That was a stronger wrench. But now you have to drive out the taper pins, but the tool was more robust. I also bought one of these latest generation Arrington wrenches from Brownells. Mine was also the fully enclosed model. The pictures Brownells uses are not always representative of what you actually get. Later I decided I did not need this tool so I returned it in an unopen package to Brownells. Fast Forward a few years and now I own 2 Colts that use this style wrench. I had read a few posts on Arfcom where people allege their Colt 6940 barrel nut came loose just from shooting. Now I had sellers remorse on the wrench. I set out to find another Arrington only to discover Arrington at age 78 either retired or passed away. There will be no more Arrington wrenches made. So I contacted Ken Elmore at SA and asked about buying one of his wrenches. To make a long story short, after talking to him he agreed to sell me one of his very rare wrenches of which there were no pictures anywhere on the net. There are pictures of something similar Ken made for Daniel Defense rails but not this barrel nut wrench. When the wrench arrived I was blown away with the design and quality. Weighs almost 4#, 18" long. Ken and I had a lot of email exchanges, not going to go into private emails but this man is basically the BEST Colt Armorer going and I thank him more than he knows for selling me the 1 wrench of the latest design he had left. Ken told me I am one of the very few if any he has sold this tool to outside Government agencies. He further states on his website he does not manufacture or market this tool for sale. This tool cannot be made cheap. It costs a lot to fabricate. This tool is now the center piece of my AR-15 Tool collection. Yes it was STUPID money, but many people spend stupid money on Colt stuff that they really want. The last email Ken sent me was like 5 pages long, an incredible read. Before I asked Ken to sell me a wrench I did a lot of searching, many posts here on Arfcom, M4 Carbine and Weapon Evolution boards about others who asked to buy the wrench and was told flat out NO. Maybe I just asked nice lol. Currently there are no 6940 barrel nut wrenches being produced by anyone. I realize its just a "tool" I spent stupid money on, but somehow, I feel blessed to have it and to have met Ken. Ken also told me I could call him anytime. Moving on to the next project. |
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If you can find an Arrington Accuracy wrench 4 sale, get it. Phil Arrington made 4 versions. The short Open version The long handle Open Version. The short enclosed version The long enclosed version ( the one I bought and returned to Brownells) possibly Arrington's best version. I have NO pic of this one. Here are some pics. This is NOT a bad tool, the only problem with it is they no longer make it. No one is currently making a 6940 barrel nut wrench.   
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Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Very surprised that Ken let one go. Somebody made an offer that couldn't be refused... lol, thats not even remotely what happened, Cliff556 knows, he was copied on all my emails. I simply emailed SA sales, asked to purchase one on a Thursday evening, on a Saturday evening Ken replied back with the price. Granted he probably thought I would tell him to go kick rocks like everyone else has done after being told the price, but I couldn't get him to take my money fast enough. So he states he will have sales send me a Secure Payment link on Monday, a week later, no link. So I emailed Ken back and he said he had been busy and would get me the payment link out, 3 days later I get the link and make immediate payment. It was several days later before my CC was charged, then 3 days later on a Saturday I got an email it would ship on the following Wednesday. It actually went out on Monday and arrived this past Saturday. Again, Cliff can confirm all this. I never made any offer. There is a lot of work and fabrication in this tool, thats pretty obvious, Initial R&D with few sales and little pay back, fabrication, welding, Parkerizing. Ken stated 15 years ago, yes 15 years ago in a thread I found searching prior that there was no way to build this tool cheap. I doubt they make much money on it. I cannot thank Ken Elmore enough. I will always keep that last email he sent me. I had sent him some pics before that and his reply was amazing. Sometimes it just helps to develop rapport with someone. Specialized Armament will get all my Colt business on items they have in stock going forth. |
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Originally Posted By Den40: Is SA the only place that can service a 6940? Would Colt even service it, such as changing a barrel? Amazing story about the wrench! Someday I’d like to meet Ken! If I had a 6940 that needed service then SA is probably the ONLY game in town. He did mention in one of his emails to me he would gladly service my guns if I didn't want to buy the wrench outright. I doubt Colt would do anything but repairs, but who knows. Ken Elmore's armorers class is the ONLY one out there I would take. Would love to meet him one day and pick his brain myself. |
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Originally Posted By OTDR: The last email Ken sent me was like 5 pages long, an incredible read. Im not going to into any details or share a private email on a public forum. I did share the entire email with Cliff556 a great friend of mine behind the scenes her on Arfcom and he can verify it was a WOW moment! It was indeed, I'd have not a worry in the world sending in any work to Specialized Armament after that, and I'm pretty particular. But even before reading the emails I could easily see just from the pictures of the Shop on the Specialized Armament site that Ken Elmore takes this stuff seriously. |
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Originally Posted By OTDR: lol, thats not even remotely what happened, Cliff556 knows, he was copied on all my emails. I simply emailed SA sales, asked to purchase one on a Thursday evening, on a Saturday evening Ken replied back with the price. Granted he probably thought I would tell him to go kick rocks like everyone else has done after being told the price, but I couldn't get him to take my money fast enough. So he states he will have sales send me a Secure Payment link on Monday, a week later, no link. So I emailed Ken back and he said he had been busy and would get me the payment link out, 3 days later I get the link and make immediate payment. It was several days later before my CC was charged, then 3 days later on a Saturday I got an email it would ship on the following Wednesday. It actually went out on Monday and arrived this past Saturday. Again, Cliff can confirm all this. I never made any offer. There is a lot of work and fabrication in this tool, thats pretty obvious, Initial R&D with few sales and little pay back, fabrication, welding, Parkerizing. Ken stated 15 years ago, yes 15 years ago in a thread I found searching prior that there was no way to build this tool cheap. I doubt they make much money on it. I cannot thank Ken Elmore enough. I will always keep that last email he sent me. I had sent him some pics before that and his reply was amazing. Sometimes it just helps to develop rapport with someone. Specialized Armament will get all my Colt business on items they have in stock going forth. Originally Posted By OTDR: Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Very surprised that Ken let one go. Somebody made an offer that couldn't be refused... lol, thats not even remotely what happened, Cliff556 knows, he was copied on all my emails. I simply emailed SA sales, asked to purchase one on a Thursday evening, on a Saturday evening Ken replied back with the price. Granted he probably thought I would tell him to go kick rocks like everyone else has done after being told the price, but I couldn't get him to take my money fast enough. So he states he will have sales send me a Secure Payment link on Monday, a week later, no link. So I emailed Ken back and he said he had been busy and would get me the payment link out, 3 days later I get the link and make immediate payment. It was several days later before my CC was charged, then 3 days later on a Saturday I got an email it would ship on the following Wednesday. It actually went out on Monday and arrived this past Saturday. Again, Cliff can confirm all this. I never made any offer. There is a lot of work and fabrication in this tool, thats pretty obvious, Initial R&D with few sales and little pay back, fabrication, welding, Parkerizing. Ken stated 15 years ago, yes 15 years ago in a thread I found searching prior that there was no way to build this tool cheap. I doubt they make much money on it. I cannot thank Ken Elmore enough. I will always keep that last email he sent me. I had sent him some pics before that and his reply was amazing. Sometimes it just helps to develop rapport with someone. Specialized Armament will get all my Colt business on items they have in stock going forth. Yep, that's the story as it happened. I archived the DM you sent me with Ken's emails, it was cool to read for sure and I was surprised he had as much to say as he did. If I ever had any hesitation about sending any work his way, that email exchange cured me of it. BTW, I see you haven't shared the price and I'll keep that to myself for you alone to share if you ever want.
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Originally Posted By 556Cliff: Yep, that's the story as it happened. I archived the DM you sent me with Ken's emails, it was cool to read for sure and I was surprised he had as much to say as he did. If I ever had any hesitation about sending any work his way, that email exchange cured me of it. BTW, I see you haven't shared the price and I'll keep that to myself for you alone to share if you ever want. I have to admit when he first told me the price I was like, ohhhhh, uhhhhhhh, yeah OK. I could have had another Colt OEM2 but I already have 2 of those and wanted the wrench instead. Arms Unlimited just put Colt OEM2s up at $750 dollars lol. No buyers remorse here. Its a wonderful thing not being a poor.  |
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Originally Posted By OTDR: I have to admit when he first told me the price I was like, ohhhhh, uhhhhhhh, yeah OK. I could have had another Colt OEM2 but I already have 2 of those and wanted the wrench instead. Arms Unlimited just put Colt OEM2s up at $750 dollars lol. No buyers remorse here. Its a wonderful thing not being a poor. Originally Posted By OTDR: Originally Posted By 556Cliff: Yep, that's the story as it happened. I archived the DM you sent me with Ken's emails, it was cool to read for sure and I was surprised he had as much to say as he did. If I ever had any hesitation about sending any work his way, that email exchange cured me of it. BTW, I see you haven't shared the price and I'll keep that to myself for you alone to share if you ever want. I have to admit when he first told me the price I was like, ohhhhh, uhhhhhhh, yeah OK. I could have had another Colt OEM2 but I already have 2 of those and wanted the wrench instead. Arms Unlimited just put Colt OEM2s up at $750 dollars lol. No buyers remorse here. Its a wonderful thing not being a poor. Cheers to that! Though I have to admit, even though I knew the price of Ken Elmore's 6940 wrench wouldn't be cheap, I didn't realize it it would as expensive as it was. Hearing prices like that even if I can afford it always stings at first. Sometimes I look at the price vs. the amount of use any specific tool might get. Things like the big green jig, the Wilton vise, Snap-On torque wrenches get enough use. But for as many gas keys as I stake, Ned's $3000 MOMOACKS hand press is hard for me to justify to myself (with no wife telling me what to do one way or the other I've somehow learned to self limit).  The SAW 6940 wrench is not quite as hard to justify on price compared to the MOMOACKS, but I just don't see myself getting deep into working on the 6940 and M5 series of uppers, of course I'm banned here in WA from the possibility of getting more into them. so I just have my one 6940 upper to consider and I'd just send it off to you or Sgt. Elmore if I needed to have something done involving the barrel nut.Looking at that wrench though, I can't say it's not worth every bit of what you paid. It's heft and build quality are really glorious. 
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Ken IS awesome! Several years ago, I took a 6940 upper in trade. The previous owner had monkey fucked the barrel up. I sent it to SA to see if it was salvageable enough yo make a 6944SE out of it. Ken told me it had been a but of a challenge to save it, but he returned to me a beautiful upper. I have 4 6940 uppers, but this one shoots significantly better than the others. |
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Originally Posted By OTDR: I’m leaving it in my Will for my wife to contact you to send you the wrench upon my passing, I’m not joking lol! Jesus Christ, man! I'd be forever grateful.  Don't go any time soon though. I'm sure you got more tips to discover and share.
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Originally Posted By OTDR: I wouldn't take $1000 for that wrench and if it ever gets loaned, I will require a $2000 deposit lol. I love that wrench, its gone way beyond being just a wrench no one else has, its now the center piece of my tool collection. Can't blame you for that. Plus, could you imagine losing this thing in the mail? Not something I could imagine loaning out without a lot of anxiety attached to it.
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Originally Posted By 556Cliff: Can't blame you for that. Plus, could you imagine losing this thing in the mail? Not something I could imagine loaning out without a lot of anxiety attached to it.Well Ken did pay for the shipping, not sure if he insured it or not but it did require a signature. Been trying to determine if there is anything tool wise I still want, cant come up with anything. |
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I agree on all RE: Specialized Armament and Ken. All my dealings have been great and I bought my first Colt carbine/post ban AR/duty carbine from them waaaaay back in 2004. Ken is great to converse with via email and a straight shooter. His bad rap on this site is because he doesn't suffer fools and knows more than most have forgot about the AR platform, Colts, duty weapons, gunsmithing, fabrication, and more. His secret sauce package is poked at because he won't give up the recipe, but those same fools will drink the Hodge or Centrurion or SOLGW or Geissele or Daniel Defense cool aid all day long and still not get half the business tool that a SAW reliability package Colt is. Yeah, the prices can hurt, but SAW sells confidence more than parts. |
Regulars, by God!
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Originally Posted By C2Installs: I agree on all RE: Specialized Armament and Ken. All my dealings have been great and I bought my first Colt carbine/post ban AR/duty carbine from them waaaaay back in 2004. Ken is great to converse with via email and a straight shooter. His bad rap on this site is because he doesn't suffer fools and knows more than most have forgot about the AR platform, Colts, duty weapons, gunsmithing, fabrication, and more. His secret sauce package is poked at because he won't give up the recipe, but those same fools will drink the Hodge or Centrurion or SOLGW or Geissele or Daniel Defense cool aid all day long and still not get half the business tool that a SAW reliability package Colt is. Yeah, the prices can hurt, but SAW sells confidence more than parts. Yes he sure is. Shipped my M5 upper yesterday to Ken, he is going to use it to design and build a new tool. Probably be a month or 2 or maybe less. |
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Originally Posted By Feedingcannibal: Damnit. They are $750 dollars, no one is going to pay that, .........except me. But my 2nd one is free for shipping my new M5 upper to him for R&D, thus the price has come down to $375 each, ...sort of. Also a different design is needed for different models that I dont own like the heavy barrel models. Colt should do the right thing, and step up and make model specific wrenches like they have and sell to the public. Im kind of turned off by the fact that 4 different wrenches are needed for all the current Colt offerings. The nut is the same but the barrel thickness , heavy barrels, M4 profiles and upper receiver designs are different. |
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Warren innovations doing a pre-order for a barrel wrench to gauge interest. They make suppressor tools amongst other stuff. I don't have any experience with them. https://www.suppressortools.com/products/warren-innovative-technologies-llc-4348-401dea43-a653-4fe2-b89c-051a5d7eb55d |
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Originally Posted By JKap23: Warren innovations doing a pre-order for a barrel wrench to gauge interest. They make suppressor tools amongst other stuff. I don't have any experience with them. https://www.suppressortools.com/products/warren-innovative-technologies-llc-4348-401dea43-a653-4fe2-b89c-051a5d7eb55d I put it for that and their LWRC barrel nut tool. Don’t forget about BLKFRI2024 through the end of the year: Attached File Edit: They charged my CC immediately, so I hope they can get these produced and shipped before the chargeback deadline.
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