M&P 22 Compact threaded barrel cap - what wrench?

wrangler5 · Jul 8, 2017

Apart from the unpredictable magazine catch that I've mentioned in another thread, I loved the way the 22 Compact shot at the range today. EXCEPT - the cap that protects the threads on the end of the barrel keeps wanting to unscrew itself. (The threads on my gun are all inside the slide, and the protective cap ends up flush with the front of the slide.)

The cap has two flats that accept a very thin open end wrench, which was NOT included in the box with the gun. So I would like to get a wrench to keep in my range bag. I've measured the dimensions and spacing of the flats on the nut but can't find anything in my usual tool sources to suit.

Where does one get the appropriate wrench for keeping this nut tight? And do you just use a weak Loctite to keep it in place once you crank it down? (I just finger-tightened it today, and it was loose again after just a few shots.)

5Wire · Jul 8, 2017

Call S&W Service. Likely they'll send what you need. I believe the wrench is 1/2-inch. Take an old one grind it thin. Blue loctite if necessary. Try more torque first.

richardw · Jul 8, 2017

As mentioned a call to S&W customer service will get a wrench sent to you. I believe it requires a 7/16 wrench. There is a you tube video of a ground down wrench being used to adjust the cap. Easy to do if you have a grinder. I sure don't.

Charlier26 · Jul 8, 2017

I highly recommend the EWK Arms wrench. I thought it would never come off until I tried this one. Built like a tank.

Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Compact Factory Barrel Nut Wrench - $24.95 : EWK Arms

wrangler5 · Jul 8, 2017

richardw said:
As mentioned a call to S&W customer service will get a wrench sent to you. I believe it requires a 7/16 wrench. There is a you tube video of a ground down wrench being used to adjust the cap. Easy to do if you have a grinder. I sure don't.

My caliper measures the width across the flats as 0.417", so a 7/16 (0.438") wrench should work. So would an 11mm (0.433"). But the flats are only 3/32 wide. That would take a LOT of grinding to thin down any standard wrench that far.

I've discovered that the collet wrench for my ~50 year old Dremel tool will work, although at 0.445 it's a bit wider than I'd prefer. And it's an obsolete Dremel for which spare wrenches are no longer available, and I don't want to put my only sample in a range bag.

Do people use Loctite on this nut? One of the weaker versions that doesn't take heat to break loose? Or will the vibrations of shooting break anything loose, so that we just have to have a wrench available for periodic maintenance?

McE · Jul 8, 2017

Look for an Engineer TWM-03 Thin Jaw Adjustable Smart Monkey Wrench
There are several models, but all are more useful than any one trick pony solutions.

Dad_Roman · Jul 9, 2017

wrangler5 said:
Do people use Loctite on this nut? One of the weaker versions that doesn't take heat to break loose? Or will the vibrations of shooting break anything loose, so that we just have to have a wrench available for periodic maintenance?

Mine was opposite of yours. mine was brutally TIGHT. I ground down a standard wrench for the job. Went back with an adapter. I like it quite well. No loctite, yes it vibrates loose and I just finger tighten it every mag or so. I need the adapter relatively loose because it has to be removed to field strip anyways.

hoc9sw · Jul 9, 2017

The so-called wrench that came with mine died early on. I suspect your LGS / vendor may have robbed one to replace one that a customer broke.

CS will send you another. I bought the EWK wrench. It is not going to break. Noted above were some more "specialty" adjustable wrenches, but by the time I got through with costs / shipping, I just added the EWK on to my order for an adapter.

wrangler5 · Jul 9, 2017

Dad_Roman said:
< snip > I need the adapter relatively loose because it has to be removed to field strip anyways.

Interesting. Mine slide comes off easily with the protective nut still on the barrel.

Dad_Roman · Jul 9, 2017

wrangler5 said:
Interesting. Mine slide comes off easily with the protective nut still on the barrel.

Yes it does, with the OEM protector. I have an adapter on mine

kabookie · Sep 9, 2017

Charlier26 said:
I highly recommend the EWK Arms wrench. I thought it would never come off until I tried this one. Built like a tank.

Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Compact Factory Barrel Nut Wrench - $24.95 : EWK Arms

Just replying to an old thread i tripped over on this forum. I too had the same issues, and also recommend the EWK product.

wrangler5 · Sep 9, 2017

hoc9sw said:
The so-called wrench that came with mine died early on. < snip>

I just got my 22 Compact back from S&W after having a magazine catch issue fixed, and they included a wrench for the barrel nut as I had asked when I sent the gun in. It's just a flat piece of strap steel, 0.085" thick (which fits the width of the flats on the barrel nut perfectly) with a slightly angled wrench cutout in one end.

Unless it's made of super soft metal, it looks like it would be indestructible, so if this is what should have come with the gun I can't see why one would ever die. (S&W also tightened the barrel nut to the point where I'll have to use some muscle with the new wrench to get it off - since I don't have a suppressor to mount on the gun, I'm leaving the nut alone for the moment.) But it truly is the most nondescript item in my range bag - I stuck a label on it identifying its purpose, just so I have a chance of remembering what it's for in a year or two. (Getting old is not all it's cracked up to be.

)

rstriegel · Nov 30, 2017

M&P 22 Compact barrel thread protector, 11mm

What is required would be a very thin 11mm open end wrench. I found an old cheap ignition tool set that had a very thin 7/16 ignition wrench that works but loose. If you aren't going to take the thread protector off and just want it to stay tight, try a little clear nail polish on the threads. I have found that secured mine. Not planning on taking it off, but if you do, just use a little nail polish.

NewToGuns17 · Nov 30, 2017

Look for a cone wrench at a bicycle shop. Cheap and will do the trick.

Macinaw · Nov 30, 2017

EWK arms tool

Jul · Dec 2, 2017

I just ground down the open end of a 6" long 7/16 wrench and it works great. 11mm would be a little more snug.

richardw · Dec 2, 2017

Call SW customer service. I did and in about 8 days I was in my mailbox.

NewToGuns17 · Dec 2, 2017

Curious what the factory tool looks like

richardw · Dec 2, 2017

The wrench is stamped out of bout 3/16 inch sheet metal not forges. The jaws are 7/16 ( as I recall). It is about 6 inches long. It fits the slots perfectly and makes removing the protective cap easy. The first time you really have to exert a good bit of pressure. They really put the caps on tight.

When the gun was first on the market it came with the wrench. By the time I bought mine they had discontinued including them. I called CS and said I wanted to remove the cap and needed a wrench. Where can I get one I asked. They said give us you name and address and we will send one to you.

Give it a try. Ought to work for you.

DSYOGTME · Mar 5, 2021

This just happened to me this past Tuesday. Unsure whether or not when you snug it down should there be the slightest gap or should it snug down flush?

M&P 22 Compact threaded barrel cap - what wrench?

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