15-22 barrel nut tool

[emjayw]

Check your barrel tightness!

+1 on what pea shooter says: Mine was checked the other day and was barely tightened. I torqued it to "snug", and put 100 rounds through it, at which time I rechecked the barrel nut and found it had backed itself out 1/8 of a turn! I am going to remove it again and degrease the threads on the barrel and barrel nut (they were soaked with oil) I will then reassemble without oil, or with very little lube around this area and see how it maintains torque when I take it back to the range. I knew something was wrong as it kept putting bullets all over at 50 feet! This could be a big problem for 15-22 shooters. I hope I'm wrong on this one. Mike in TX

 

[Antonio]

Just wondering... does the barrel/barrel nut screw/are made of steel, or they're plastic? Of course I know the barrel is steel

And the place where it goes screwed?

Thanks,

Antonio

 

[arizona98tj]

Just wondering... does the barrel/barrel nut screw/are made of steel, or they're plastic? Of course I know the barrel is steel

And the place where it goes screwed?

The barrel nut is metal and of course, the barrel that it threads on to is steel.

The polymer upper receiver has a metal insert where the barrel passes through it.

 

[51reva]

Just bought the socket on Ebay. $22.00 from "jsgearhead".

 

[rip3000gt]

The barrel nut is metal and of course, the barrel that it threads on to is steel.

Arizona, could you (or someone who has theirs currently apart) post some pictures of the nut with a ruler showing how wide the indents are.

 

[Antonio]

The barrel nut is metal and of course, the barrel that it threads on to is steel.

Thanks arizona for the great pics. I see there is more metal, I was worried about a "loose barrel" with play after a lot of use, but I think is should keep fine.

Antonio

 

[iflyfish]

This will sound stupid but......

Is there an easy way to tell if the barrel is loose? Will I know without removing the barrel nut?

 

[Thomas_H]

Arizona, could you (or someone who has theirs currently apart) post some pictures of the nut with a ruler showing how wide the indents are.

OD of BBL nut is 1.125"
Depth of lugs ~ .133"
Width of lugs ~ .186"

From what I understand, the torque rating for the nut is 20 ft-lbs.

 

[BELT_FED]

This will sound stupid but......

Is there an easy way to tell if the barrel is loose? Will I know without removing the barrel nut?

IF THE NUT GETS LOOSE ACCUR. WOULD LIKELY SUFFER FIRST... THEN YOU WOULD PROB. HAVE REALLY HORIBLE FEED PROB. THEN BY THAT TIME YOU COULD PROB. PULL THE REAR PIN REMOVE BOLT AND MOVE HE BARREL BACK AND FORTH SHY OF THE TOOL END PLAY WOULD BE THE ONLY WAY YOU COULD VISUALY TELL

 

[rip3000gt]

OD of BBL nut is 1.125"
Depth of lugs ~ .133"
Width of lugs ~ .186"

From what I understand, the torque rating for the nut is 20 ft-lbs.

Thank you that helps alot

 

[arizona98tj]

I put together some of the info I found here in the various threads concerning the barrel nut, etc......hopefully this will help a bit for those looking to do it for the first time.

Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 - 5

 

[arizona98tj]

Thanks arizona for the great pics. I see there is more metal, I was worried about a "loose barrel" with play after a lot of use, but I think is should keep fine.

Antonio

You are most welcome. There are a lot of threads on the barrel and the nut.

FWIW, my barrel nut was not loose.....I had to really crank on the pipe/nut to remove mine.

 

[tacticool22]

I put together some of the info I found here in the various threads concerning the barrel nut, etc......hopefully this will help a bit for those looking to do it for the first time.

Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 - 5

That is one awsome, well thought out site. Everyone should see it. Good info with great pics and explanations.

 

[27 Beck]

I put together some of the info I found here in the various threads concerning the barrel nut, etc......hopefully this will help a bit for those looking to do it for the first time.

Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 - 5

Awesome link and writeups. Thanks for sharing.

 

[BMW Racer]

I put together some of the info I found here in the various threads concerning the barrel nut, etc......hopefully this will help a bit for those looking to do it for the first time.

Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 - 5

Thanks for the good info.

Going by Lowe's on the way home from work tonight.

 

[pea shooter]

barrel nut S&W says no problem

I called S&W and the guy I talked to there said that he never heard of this problem,(barrel nut coming loose on M&P 15 22)I ask any one who has this problem to call them (he also said I should not believe things written on forums) I also had to send a brand new 617 back because I did not notice the barrel was 1/16" over tightened until I went to sight it in,he also never heard of this problem.I guess I got the only two bad guns they made.I know any one can make a mistake but be good enough to admit it.I really like their guns I just did not like the guy I spoke to attitude.

 

[27 Beck]

I called S&W and the guy I talked to there said that he never heard of this problem,(barrel nut coming loose on M&P 15 22)I ask any one who has this problem to call them (he also said I should not believe things written on forums) I also had to send a brand new 617 back because I did not notice the barrel was 1/16" over tightened until I went to sight it in,he also never heard of this problem.I guess I got the only two bad guns they made.I know any one can make a mistake but be good enough to admit it.I really like their guns I just did not like the guy I spoke to attitude.

I know what you heard was frustrating, (never heard of that before stuff) but most companies don't want their employees admitting to any problems with the product.

 

[emjayw]

pea shooter, that guy at S&W was full of it. If mine could loosen up 1/8 turn in 100 rounds after torqueing it tighter than I found it I'm sure it's happened before. I'm going to make a second "tool" from PVC pipe as I don't like scratching the barrel with the steel tool and 3/4 black iron pipe. I have stripped almost all of the lube from those areas of the barrel and nut and have retorqued it again. I'll be heading to the range later this week (weather permitting) to put several hundred rounds through it and see if it stays put. If this doesn't work, some sort of barrel vise will be needed. Mike in Texas

 

[chuck s]

Anyone want to make a bunch of these tools out of PVC pipe? I'd buy one from ya!

Lets see, PVC pipe comes in white and "tactical" black up here!

-- Chuck

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I called S&W and the guy I talked to there said that he never heard of this problem,(barrel nut coming loose on M&P 15 22)I ask any one who has this problem to call them (he also said I should not believe things written on forums)

My limited experience with S&W--

A few weeks ago I asked S&W about the infamous round hang-ups in the magazine. I was told that it had not been an issue. Now... who ya gonna believe... forums or S&W?

A couple days ago I requested the barrel nut torque specs. I was told there is no available data. However, the guy said that S&W gave him some training on 15-22 assembly. He described how he pressed the button on the machine which operated the drive that torques the barrel nut.

Aside from my limited anecdotal contact with S&W, folks here speak well of S&W service. I have just 3 S&W products and have never needed any of their hands-on services. Considering S&W offers no parts list/diagram for the 15-22, will not sell parts, nor can they share assembly specs.... I guess they ought to have a good service dept.