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Posted: 4/6/2005 3:19:25 PM EDT
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I am going to be changing out the 20" barrel in my Bushy to a 14.5. Since this is the only time I plan on doing something like this, and I'm already spending a lot of money, I would like to try and keep the tool cost down. Two questions: Will this work well enough to loosen and tighten the barrel nut? It seems different than the other wrenches I've seen, I just want to make sure that it's not going to give me problems. www.bushmaster.com/shopping/gunsmith/rm-001.asp Second, can I get away with using one or two other people to hold the upper, instead of purchasing an action block? It's seems pretty low torque. Thanks for any info! |
| Yeah, that barrel wrench will work. As for trying to hold the upper without an action block, sounds pretty difficult to me. You have to torque the barrel to a minimum of 30#, then advance to the next notch in the barrel nut (if 30# didn't do it). That means that you may have to torque as much as 80#. I say at the minimum, try to find a cheaper action block, but get one. |
| Sure it can be done without an action block! Just so long as it is held sturdy enough. I have read about a guy that wrapped his upper in a towel and put it half way in the lowest dresser drawer of his hotel room, sat on the floor and held it with his feet while tightening the barrel nut with his hands. It worked beautifully for him. The whole point of his story was that it was surprizingly easy to put together an AR-15. This weapon can be a tight tollerance precision instrument. Yet, I was surpized at how much lack of precision, or slop that the design of this weapon really can allow. |
Arfkom tailgate parties. 
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Wow, I really appreciate all the offers guys! I was surprised to find out that Bushmaster already sent out the barrel, I figured I'd have a long wait like I've been reading about. I guess it was quick because I am buying a post ban barrel (brake and no lug) and they have plenty in stock. I just watched my Bushmaster DVD and I was pretty surprised. The armorer mentioned the action block, but he never used it to install the barrel. He just clamped the barrel in the vice with some blocks to accept round stock. Have any of you guys had experience in clamping the barrel instead of the upper? I've got pipe tripods at work, the kind that you clamp a pipe down with a chain. I can wrap the barrel with some thick roofing rubber and clamp it down that way for a tight fit. Any opinions? |
WESCOG & Associates. is located in Haymarket, Manassas and Woodbridge. 
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| If you clamp the barrel instead of the upper there is a chance that you might damage the slot in which the indexing pin of the barrel extension fits. That indexing slot on the upper receiver would be the only thing holding the upper from turning while you torque the barrel nut. That is not what it was designed to do. It is relatively small and could be damaged easily. I suppose it could be done, but why risk the damage. I suggest just find a way to clamp the upper in your vise. Wrap it in a towel and loosely close down on it with just enough pressure to keep it from turning. It doesn't have to (and shouldn't) be tight in the vise. |
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AR-M9 asked Will this work well enough to loosen and tighten the barrel nut? It seems different than the other wrenches I've seen, I just want to make sure that it's not going to give me problems. www.bushmaster.com/shopping/gunsmith/rm-001.asp Yes. That is fine, it is the one I use, along with a common breaker bar w/ 1/2" drive. Second, can I get away with using one or two other people to hold the upper, instead of purchasing an action block? It's seems pretty low torque. No, you need an action block. The Peace River one, same one sold by Brownells, is the one I have used for many years with good results. vallopez200 commented If you clamp the barrel instead of the upper there is a chance that you might damage the slot in which the indexing pin of the barrel extension fits. That indexing slot on the upper receiver would be the only thing holding the upper from turning while you torque the barrel nut. That is not what it was designed to do. It is relatively small and could be damaged easily. I suppose it could be done, but why risk the damage. I suggest just find a way to clamp the upper in your vise. Wrap it in a towel and loosely close down on it with just enough pressure to keep it from turning. It doesn't have to (and shouldn't) be tight in the vise. Agree 100%. You cannot hold it, and even if wrapped in a towel, you may very well damage the receiver. I don't care that the military and Bushmaster (the master of canted front sight bases) use barrel vise jaws. This is a good way to screw up the job for the reasons stated above. Scratching the outside is not the problem. The aluminum is easily bent in on the sides when clamping with makeshift methods. The action block comes with a insert that backs up the sides from the inside, preventing this. No, the bolt carrier does not contact the inside fully, only on four thin rails. You must use the proper insert. You need a good, solidly mounted vise and an action block. This is not negotiable. Get the proper tools, or let someone else with the right tools do the job for you. |
 Now it's talk like that which'll get 1/2 your AR collection taken away! (Along with 1/2 of everything else.....)
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