Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Rifles and Shotguns > Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 Dedicated to the Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-19-2010, 04:51 PM
Temporaryscars Temporaryscars is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help

Ok, I'm at my rope's end here. Lets start from the beginning.

Last week I decided I wanted to tighten my barrel nut because it seemed like I was getting more fliers than usual. I went to the store, bought some PVC and a Dremel and went to work. They didn't turn out so great, but I noticed that when I would try them, the nut didn't seem to move at all. I chalked it up to my inability to mark .07 inches or whatever with a tape measure and decided to buy a legit barrel nut tool. I got it today and it fits perfectly.

I decided I would remove the nut first just so I could clean the barrel better and no matter how hard I twist, I cannot get the thing off. I hold the barrel with one hand and twist the wrench with the other hand and the gun just spins in my hand holding the barrel because I can't get a good enough grip. Then I do what I'm not supposed to do and grab it by the handguard, the stock, the pistol grip, pretty much every other part so that I can get more leverage and still, the thing won't budge.

So now I must ask, what am I doing wrong?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-19-2010, 05:35 PM
Brett248Vista Brett248Vista is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Greensburg , PA
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 60
Liked 503 Times in 239 Posts
Default

Not using barrel vice jaws....

Some nuts are tighter than others, yours is tight.. Gonna need Barrel Vice Jaws!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-19-2010, 05:48 PM
Temporaryscars Temporaryscars is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Barrel vice jaws? Off to ebay I go!


Oh wait...but I don't even have a vice...

This is getting expensive!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-19-2010, 06:20 PM
Brett248Vista Brett248Vista is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Greensburg , PA
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 60
Liked 503 Times in 239 Posts
Default

Trust me it's cheap compared to some of my other addictions!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-19-2010, 07:00 PM
shooboy's Avatar
shooboy shooboy is offline
US Veteran
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 8
Liked 394 Times in 129 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Temporaryscars View Post
Barrel vice jaws? Off to ebay I go!


Oh wait...but I don't even have a vice...

This is getting expensive!
Hey bud, don't forget, righty tighty, lefty loosey !!! Did you buy your gun new ? Just asking to make sure no one used Loctite on your nut. Good advice here, definitely need some barrel vice jaws so the receiver isn't compromised. Hope that ShooWrench does the trick for you, keep us posted, Shoo
__________________
"Get Hammered By a Shooboy!!"
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-19-2010, 07:03 PM
shooboy's Avatar
shooboy shooboy is offline
US Veteran
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 8
Liked 394 Times in 129 Posts
Default

OOOPS !!! Almost forgot, forum member tacticool22 makes and sells a gorgeous set of barrel vice jaws, exactly what you are looking for. Good luck, Shoo
__________________
"Get Hammered By a Shooboy!!"
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-19-2010, 07:22 PM
Temporaryscars Temporaryscars is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Yeah, I made sure I was turning left. Triple checked it in fact just to make sure. I bought the rifle new, but did send it in to S&W to get it repaired. Who knows what they did. I think I'll count my losses and just forget about getting the nut off. I gave it the ol' college try, but I can't keep dropping money on something that won't happen.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-19-2010, 08:08 PM
Scuds03's Avatar
Scuds03 Scuds03 is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 11 Posts
Default

Mine came very tight form the factory too. First I tried the PVC wrench method but the plastic teeth just kept snapping off from the torque. Then I got a Shoowrench from Shoo on here and it is awesome but still couldnt turn the wrench hard enough to pop the nut. Out of frustration I modded the wrench so I could use it with my compressed air impact wrench and that thing got it right off. Just be careful haha.
__________________
Air Assault!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-19-2010, 08:16 PM
tedjack tedjack is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Plano, Tx.
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scuds03 View Post
Mine came very tight form the factory too. First I tried the PVC wrench method but the plastic teeth just kept snapping off from the torque. Then I got a Shoowrench from Shoo on here and it is awesome but still couldnt turn the wrench hard enough to pop the nut. Out of frustration I modded the wrench so I could use it with my compressed air impact wrench and that thing got it right off. Just be careful haha.
I used the Shoowrinch. I placed the rifle between my knees, gave the wrinch a small jerk to the left, and it came right off. Same thing when installing the barrel except a slight jerk to the right.
__________________
Between Clark and Hilldale.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 07-19-2010, 08:27 PM
shooboy's Avatar
shooboy shooboy is offline
US Veteran
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 8
Liked 394 Times in 129 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scuds03 View Post
Mine came very tight form the factory too. First I tried the PVC wrench method but the plastic teeth just kept snapping off from the torque. Then I got a Shoowrench from Shoo on here and it is awesome but still couldnt turn the wrench hard enough to pop the nut. Out of frustration I modded the wrench so I could use it with my compressed air impact wrench and that thing got it right off. Just be careful haha.
Wow, maybe the factory upped their torque rating ???
__________________
"Get Hammered By a Shooboy!!"
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 07-19-2010, 08:29 PM
Temporaryscars Temporaryscars is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tedjack View Post
I used the Shoowrinch. I placed the rifle between my knees, gave the wrinch a small jerk to the left, and it came right off. Same thing when installing the barrel except a slight jerk to the right.
I just tried that. No joy. Did hurt my legs, so thanks for that!

Last edited by ChattanoogaPhil; 07-19-2010 at 08:34 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 07-19-2010, 08:45 PM
Scuds03's Avatar
Scuds03 Scuds03 is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
Liked 17 Times in 11 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by shooboy View Post
Wow, maybe the factory upped their torque rating ???
I don't know, mabe. I do have a newer gun..DTZ..Believe me I would not have resorted to air if I didn't have to. That thing was on there! But now I can get it on and off no prob when I tq it down around 20ft-lb.
__________________
Air Assault!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 07-19-2010, 11:56 PM
reelman reelman is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

If it's that tight then I don't think it's a loose barrel that's you flier problem. I would not even try to remove the nut if it's that tight unless you getting the barrel threaded or something as there is really no reason to remove the barrel. For the once every 10,000 rounds or so that you need to clean the barrel just do it from the muzzle and be carefull.

Remember more damage is done to 22 barrels from cleaning than from shooting.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 07-19-2010, 11:59 PM
snuf's Avatar
snuf snuf is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Indy
Posts: 304
Likes: 157
Liked 114 Times in 33 Posts
Default

No vice ? Just grab a hold of the barrel with vice-grips using a piece of leather belt to pad the jaws.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 07-20-2010, 12:49 AM
MKT's Avatar
MKT MKT is offline
SWCA Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 11
Liked 88 Times in 56 Posts
Default

I can't see the torque spec being higher than that 30-80 ft pounds a regular AR takes. Barrel clamps for the vise may not work either as the barrel may spin, you'll probably need a receiver block to get a solid hold. Use a proper barrel nut wrench with a breaker bar and you can loosen the barrel nut in a matter of seconds. I get my barrel nuts to time by using the 30/30/50 method - tighten to 30 foot pounds, loosen and retighten to 30 again, loosen and tighten to 50 foot pounds and the barrel nut should just about time up perfectly. Be sure to use some grease on the barrel nut threads during reassembly.
__________________
Non illegitimae carborundum
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 07-20-2010, 06:10 AM
Brett248Vista Brett248Vista is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Greensburg , PA
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 60
Liked 503 Times in 239 Posts
Default

You can not use a receiver block on a 15-22, the receiver is not shaped exactly like an AR15 plus it's polymer. To all of you, hoarking on your barrel nuts without using barrel jaws, you could crack your receiver.. The barrel passes through the receiver.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 07-20-2010, 08:08 AM
TSQUARED TSQUARED is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 2,260
Likes: 2
Liked 114 Times in 84 Posts
Default

Try the THUMB BUDDY it has a metal wrench which fits over the bushing - i assume you are talking about a 1911 bushing.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 07-20-2010, 10:50 AM
ChattanoogaPhil's Avatar
ChattanoogaPhil ChattanoogaPhil is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 14,661
Likes: 7,937
Liked 20,623 Times in 5,958 Posts
Default

You guys want to see a magic levitation act?

Hocus pocus dominocus... see the magic 15-22 barrel hovering above the PVC wrench....

The below pics will probably do a better job of describing the issue than the following explanation. -- The problem with the PVC wrench is that the ID is slightly smaller than the barrel threads. Unfortunately, the barrel nut spins onto the barrel far enough to where the barrel threads start to come up into the barrel nut groves.... So you have to jam the PVC fingers into the barrel nut grooves over the barrel threads. I suspect those who are breaking PVC fingers aren't getting the fingers far enough into the barrel nut grooves. Those who successfully jam the fingers down far enough may sometimes bind the PVC to the point where it is difficult to loosen the barrel nut. That's the issue I had with my PVC wrench (that and I wasn't talented enough to cut four symmetrical fingers.) When I knocked off two PVC fingers it was much easier to force down into the barrel nut grooves and I was able to loosen the barrel nut. Or you could take a little off the inside of the PVC fingers with a dremmel.

Solution -- ShooWrench or Tacticool22Wrench. Notice the ShooWrench is the proper size and slides over the barrel threads in the pic below . Barrel nut wrenches can be seen and purchased in the 15-22 Classified Sticky Thread: *** 15-22 Specific CLASSIFIEDS ***

A few months ago I balked at the notion of needing a ShooWrench. I was wrong.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSC03249.jpg (18.7 KB, 65 views)
File Type: jpg DSC03245.jpg (17.2 KB, 61 views)
File Type: jpg DSC03251.jpg (23.3 KB, 73 views)
File Type: jpg DSC03244.jpg (22.9 KB, 64 views)
File Type: jpg DSC03256.jpg (32.4 KB, 61 views)

Last edited by ChattanoogaPhil; 07-20-2010 at 11:04 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 07-20-2010, 11:19 AM
shooboy's Avatar
shooboy shooboy is offline
US Veteran
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 8
Liked 394 Times in 129 Posts
Default

Nice job Phil, excellent explanation and those pictures speak a thousand words. Hopefully this makes everything clear, thanks as always, Shoo
__________________
"Get Hammered By a Shooboy!!"
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 07-20-2010, 12:13 PM
evnash's Avatar
evnash evnash is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
Liked 144 Times in 51 Posts
Default

spray the nut with some break free and let it soak for awhile. then lay it down on the carpet and put a towel over it and put your knee on it to hold it down
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 07-20-2010, 01:21 PM
ChattanoogaPhil's Avatar
ChattanoogaPhil ChattanoogaPhil is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 14,661
Likes: 7,937
Liked 20,623 Times in 5,958 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by shooboy View Post
Nice job Phil, excellent explanation and those pictures speak a thousand words. Hopefully this makes everything clear, thanks as always, Shoo
Thanks and welcome.

I had previously removed the barrel 2 or 3 times with the PVC wrench. Each time I had difficulty pulling the PVC wrench out after tightening up the barrel nut. I just figured the outside of the PVC was binding with the forearm cuz everything is so close right at that junction. When I first used the ShooWrench I noticed that it lifted off just fine after tightening the barrel nut. So I measured the OD of both the PVC and Shoowrench and found them near identical. Scratching bald head in confusion... I measured ID and found the PVC to be significantly smaller. At that point I tried to slide the PVC wrench over the barrel when it was out of the reciever and discovered that it wouldn't even fit over the barrel threads. The problem I had removing the PVC tool is that I had been actually threading the PVC fingers onto barrel threads during the last few turns. Right tool for the job.... (belly full of crow)
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 07-20-2010, 01:29 PM
shooboy's Avatar
shooboy shooboy is offline
US Veteran
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 8
Liked 394 Times in 129 Posts
Default

It's all good Phil. Keep up the good work, I'm sure lots of guys here appreciate you taking the time to make our lives a little easier, take care, Shoo
__________________
"Get Hammered By a Shooboy!!"
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 07-20-2010, 07:30 PM
KaiDoi KaiDoi is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: California
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

The Accu barrel vise jaws work very well. I use 2 of them. One is cut down to accommodate different barrel clearance situations.
__________________
-Andy
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 07-21-2010, 04:03 PM
shooboy's Avatar
shooboy shooboy is offline
US Veteran
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 8
Liked 394 Times in 129 Posts
Default

Hey Phil, maybe you should make your pictures and explanation a sticky before this thread fades away ??? Shoo
__________________
"Get Hammered By a Shooboy!!"
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 07-21-2010, 05:34 PM
ChattanoogaPhil's Avatar
ChattanoogaPhil ChattanoogaPhil is offline
Member
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 14,661
Likes: 7,937
Liked 20,623 Times in 5,958 Posts
Default

Good idea. Posted in Sticky DIY Barrel Nut Wrench
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 07-21-2010, 07:32 PM
shooboy's Avatar
shooboy shooboy is offline
US Veteran
Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help Cannot Remove The Barrel Nut - Need Help  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 8
Liked 394 Times in 129 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ChattanoogaPhil View Post
Good idea. Posted in Sticky DIY Barrel Nut Wrench
Saw it, nice work, thanks, Shoo
__________________
"Get Hammered By a Shooboy!!"
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
1911, handguard, leather, polymer, sig arms, smith-wessonforum.com

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
4006TSW Can't Remove Barrel Spur Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 15 01-14-2015 06:16 PM
How can I remove rust inside a barrel? Kelly Green S&W-Smithing 18 02-09-2014 10:05 AM
WTB 3 1/2" .357 Barrel****BARREL PURCHASED PLEASE REMOVE***** A10 WANTED to Buy 7 01-26-2011 01:33 AM
Can't remove barrel nut iwilc2 Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 17 02-14-2010 08:57 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:50 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)