I guess I will look into the small compressor idea. Seems like it would work good. Honestly I didn't think this barrel nut wrench topic would cause such a debate. I thought It was a handy tool to have in my tool bag for maintenance of this rifle. I see a couple agree but I guess I was wrong overall?
barrel nut wrench
- Thread starter ironruger
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rraisley
Member
Sure, a good tool to have. But at the cost, or availability, one I can do without. I don't intend to COMPLETELY disassemble ANY of my pistols or rifle, so don't really feel the need to have a gunsmithing shop in my home to do that. Heck, even screwdrivers should be very special for use on firearms, and while I have some quality woodworking screwdrivers, I don't have all the sizes and types required for complete work.
It is a good idea but also is the adapter for the vice as the barrel is in a plastic housing when you need to use the wrench you also have to clamp the barrel or it will cause damage to the housing and bolt as one person found out on the forum when a shop did his.You also need the vice adapter if you want to remove the flash suppressor same reason.
Some people can work on their rifles to varying degrees. I am mechanically inclined but some things I would take to a reputable gunsmith like NDI ect.
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What would a normal person need to remove the barrel for? Routine cleaning and maintenance be performed without removing it.
I've never known a manufacturer to include any tools to completely disassemble a firearm. That's what gunsmiths have traditionally been for.
EDIT: I see that you want to completely strip the weapon down for a detailed cleaning.
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TacoDaTugBoat
Member
If you want one get it. It sounds cheaper than an air compressor. Tacticool22 is one this site all the time. Seems like good people. I'd go with them.
Majorlk
Member
Apples and oranges comparison.
The barrel wrench is a "one trick pony" whereas a compressor has a multitude of uses. One removes or tightens a barrel nut on rare occasions; a compressor can have weekly, if not everyday uses. A typical 3-gallon compressor is under $100.
Having both is the best idea.
Smiling Bob Masterson
Member
ironruger,
If your 15-22 has the bird cage flash hider you will need to remove it in order to take the quad rail end cap off sos you can use the barrel nut wrench. The crush washer at the rear of the flash hider will need to be replaced when reinstal it. A better option would be to use a peel washer as it's reusable.
Get or make a vice jaw clamp to hold the barrel before working on the flash hider or barrel nut or you will buger up the upper receiver when the barrel spins.
Smiling Bob
If your 15-22 has the bird cage flash hider you will need to remove it in order to take the quad rail end cap off sos you can use the barrel nut wrench. The crush washer at the rear of the flash hider will need to be replaced when reinstal it. A better option would be to use a peel washer as it's reusable.
Get or make a vice jaw clamp to hold the barrel before working on the flash hider or barrel nut or you will buger up the upper receiver when the barrel spins.
Smiling Bob
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Well I bought the wrench but I might look into a small compressor in tge next couple months or better yet maybe the girlfriend will take a hint.
I have the standard threadless barrel with no flash hider or anything so I don't have to worry about that coming off. Now since I don't have the flash hider should I still buy or make a vise jaw clamp?
I have the standard threadless barrel with no flash hider or anything so I don't have to worry about that coming off. Now since I don't have the flash hider should I still buy or make a vise jaw clamp?
DelFuego
Member
I think this is on topic. How to do you tighten and then loosen one of those fake suppressors that fit an inch or so under the handguard. I do have a threaded barrel.
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ChattanoogaPhil
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I think you'll be fine. The nut is only supposed to be torqued something like 20lbs. Most folks get into trouble trying to take their flash suppressor off. Instead of using a wrench and a sharp whack to break it loose, some will try to torque it off and end up turing the barrel inside the receiver.
Suggest taking the nut off with the muzzle pointed down, then slip the upper off the barrel. Otherwise, if you're holding the receiver with the muzzle pointed up, the barrel can fall right through the receiver and the ejector may harpoon your foot.
Majorlk
Member
That's one thing girl friends are good for.
Real bottom of the compressor line is Chicago Tools. Next is the Husky from Home Depot and whatever name Lowes is using for their house brand. I have the Husky and use it for lots of carpenter stuff primarily. Blowing out gun actions is a bonus.
Whether you have anything attached to the barrel or not, you MUST use something to clamp the barrel (NOT THE RECEIVER) in a vice. The polymer receiver will not take the torsional stress.
ChattanoogaPhil
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By hand. I use one can on several different .22s and only hand tighten all the muzzle devices. While at the range I'll check a time or two.
That's one thing girl friends are good for.
Real bottom of the compressor line is Chicago Tools. Next is the Husky from Home Depot and whatever name Lowes is using for their house brand. I have the Husky and use it for lots of carpenter stuff primarily. Blowing out gun actions is a bonus.
Whether you have anything attached to the barrel or not, you MUST use something to clamp the barrel (NOT THE RECEIVER) in a vice. The polymer receiver will not take the torsional stress.
Thanks I appreciate the heads up on the barrel clamp. After much debate and reading I most likely will NOT remove the barrel because of the possibility of messing the threads up, but I will keep the barrel wrench incase the barrel gets loose like some have reported and use it just to tighten it back down. As for the compressor I will look at home depot to see what they have, I dont need anything crazy. Even though I live in an apartment I dont think a small compressor will create that much noise. It will prove a very usefull tool when I clean my pistols aswell.
MajorlK: on a side note I didnt take your previous post to this thread as an insult. I have a very thick skin but I will dish it back, my outlook is if one dishes it one can take it. No hard feelings I hope
ChattanoogaPhil
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hahaha... making a mountain out of molehill is half the fun of these projects!
Don't sweat it, you'll find out it's no big deal. Keep in mind that before there were metal wrenches for sale we were using a piece of PVC and cut the fingers out to fit the grooves in the barrel nut. It worked. So... that will give you an idea of how little effort is required to remove and replace the barrel nut. Here's a How-to link for those who might be interested. Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 - 5
Majorlk
Member
MajorlK: on a side note I didnt take your previous post to this thread as an insult. I have a very thick skin but I will dish it back, my outlook is if one dishes it one can take it. No hard feelings I hope
Hey, it's all good. A thick skin is pretty much a prerequisite for posting on Internet forums!
Just a note on compressor noise - there's no such thing as a quiet compressor. Mine's in the basement and it can be heard running on the second floor - not TOO obnoxious but you can tell it's on.
Hey, it's all good. A thick skin is pretty much a prerequisite for posting on Internet forums!
Just a note on compressor noise - there's no such thing as a quiet compressor. Mine's in the basement and it can be heard running on the second floor - not TOO obnoxious but you can tell it's on.
Well I guess my neighbors will have to deal with it every so often.
You can get an air bomb and fill it at the gas station, no compressor noise at your house. I think the one I owned was 10 gallon size. As for removing the barrel for routine maintenance, not really sure that's a good practice.
If your barrel comes loose that's a different story. Then it sounds like you need to buy a wrench. A new crush washer if indicated should be used everytime the barrel is removed, they are not reusable.
If the barrel comes from the factory finger tight, WOW, the quality control/inspection department needs jacking up I think, someones not doing their job properly.
Good luck whatever you decide and have fun with your new toy!!
If your barrel comes loose that's a different story. Then it sounds like you need to buy a wrench. A new crush washer if indicated should be used everytime the barrel is removed, they are not reusable.
If the barrel comes from the factory finger tight, WOW, the quality control/inspection department needs jacking up I think, someones not doing their job properly.
Good luck whatever you decide and have fun with your new toy!!
