Please Help me with an old AR-15 Receiver Extension Locking Nut

[Rogerthatout]

Sorry to create a new topic on such a narrow-minded discussion. I will remove the thread when I can remove my nut, lol.
Also, this is my first AR project, I am a newbie with limited understanding of the AR's taxonomy .. so excuse me.

I am trying to find the right wrench to get this nut off. I have the nut shown on left side of the attached picture. From my research, it is from a Colt 609 CAR-15 (better known as a Cotl XM177 Commando) the first AR carbine with a collapsable stock as we know them today. I have this nut on a gov issue A2.

I have a wheeler tool that doesn't help me here, I show that in the gallery too.

 

[dj_taboo]

I used to have a DPMS multi tool that might have worked on that.

 

[pmclaine]

Brownells sold a wrench that accepts a pin to get that off.

At least they did when I was buying my standard castle nut wrench.

 

[pmclaine]

Any chance a strap wrench will break it free?

Secure the tube in your vice so that any torque damage will be to the relatively cheap tube, not your receiver.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

From your pics it appears the nut is "staked". If indeed so you'll have to contend with that first and then really almost anything will work, even a hammer and punch.

 

[Waorani]

Spanner wrench.

 

[pmclaine]

Might be this one.....

Wrenches | Rifle Tools at Brownells

Brownells is your source for Wrenches,Rifle Tools at Brownells parts and accessories. Shop our vast selection and save!

www.brownells.com

 

[padom]

I agree, looks staked. You'll have to undo that then I would just use a punch and hammer.

 

[Bigjake83]

As stated above it looks Staked. If you could provide a close up shot of the area that looks staked we can take a closer look and see if it is for sure, and you'll need a tool like this. Pending on whether or not you wish to reuse some of these parts, you want to do a clean job to remove the Staking just take a 7/64 Drill bit and drill it out if you do it right it'll look clean and you can reuse your parts.

if you need any further assistance getting your nut off I'd be happy to lend a hand.

 

[pmclaine]

As stated above it looks Staked. If you could provide a close up shot of the area that looks staked we can take a closer look and see if it is for sure, and you'll need a tool like this. Pending on whether or not you wish to reuse some of these parts, you want to do a clean job to remove the Staking just take a 7/64 Drill bit and drill it out if you do it right it'll look clean and you can reuse your parts.

View attachment 7093452


if you need any further assistance getting your nut off I'd be happy to lend a hand.

The folks on here give the best advice, they never jerk a guy off.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

I have one of these combo wrenches that has the spanner on it that would work for that.

https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-...enches/ar-15-combo-wrench-tool-prod41685.aspx

 

[Rogerthatout]

From your pics it appears the nut is "staked". If indeed so you'll have to contend with that first and then really almost anything will work, even a hammer and punch.

Ah ha! I thought it was pinned. I have a punch and tack hammer, so I will look into this, ty

 

[Rogerthatout]

The folks on here give the best advice, they never jerk a guy off.

I will take more pics, close up ones that will be easy for you guys to inspect.

 

[Rogerthatout]

Pictures.. pinned?
How would you approach ?

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Just turn it off, the staking is there to prevent the castle nut from loosening under vibration. When you apply mechanical force to it with the wrench, it will shear that bit of staking and spin off. Replace it with a new end plate.

 

[Bigjake83]

Pictures.. pinned?
How would you approach ?

It sure is...

I personally don't think you're going to be able to just spin it off even with the correct tool.. so it's up to you which route you decide to take to remove it.

Me personally, Id drill it in all spots that are staked, just make sure you don't drill into your receiver extension. I would just be worried due to the age of the parts if you put a lot of undue stress that you may crack or break something that cannot be replaced.

 

[padom]

Dremel or drill then spin it off and throw in the trash. 5min and your ready to put your new parts on

 

[Yondering]

Just turn it off, the staking is there to prevent the castle nut from loosening under vibration. When you apply mechanical force to it with the wrench, it will shear that bit of staking and spin off. Replace it with a new end plate.

+1 to this, just unscrew it with the right wrench, the staking won't stop it from turning. I've removed several just like that with the DPMS wrench, you can get those on MidwayUSA.

Some of these guys seem to thing staking makes the nut a lot more secure than it actually does; it'll actually shear off pretty easily, you don't need to drill, dremel, or anything else.

 

[padom]

+1 to this, just unscrew it with the right wrench, the staking won't stop it from turning. I've removed several just like that with the DPMS wrench, you can get those on MidwayUSA.

Some of these guys seem to thing staking makes the nut a lot more secure than it actually does; it'll actually shear off pretty easily, you don't need to drill, dremel, or anything else.

If you dont have the wrench it isnt going to turn right off...and if you dont plan to reuse it I see no reason to buy the wrench. Cut/drill the stake, takes 1min then tap the nut off with a punch and hammer.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

Ive removed dozens of them and never had to drill it. Just spin it off.

If you're replacing the nut you could put a pair of channel locks on it.

 

[Rogerthatout]

Thanks everyone. I was tempted to do this on my own with all the solid advice I got here, but felt I was a little to "green" to wrestle with this AR. I brought my gun to Tabacco Valley Guns so Kris can take a look. He actually used all the tactics I got from you guys here (with exception to drilling out the pin). Kris tapped that stake a few times with a punch to flatten it out than used that wrench you guys posted pictures of to FORCE it open. After a few rough attempts, Kris put a solvent on the thread to help it off. He had the experience and confidence to force it off with aggressive force.

Thanks everyone!

 

[pmclaine]

Neat.

Where is the wood from, is it early mil surp, looks kind of aged.

I know Brownells sells new AR wood but I dont think it looks that aged.

 

[Rogerthatout]

Neat.

Where is the wood from, is it early mil surp, looks kind of aged.

I know Brownells sells new AR wood but I dont think it looks that aged.

This is brand new walnut, I finished this furniture to match the patina on the rifle by distressing it with about 5 tools than finished it with black pigment and lacquer.

The finish is meant to look period. I should call it "mil surp"

 

[sinister]

This is the old-style wrench, now discontinued:

 

[Rogerthatout]

This is the old-style wrench, now discontinued:

Oh wow! Cool pic

Kris got a good handle on it with the NcStar ar15 tool, looked like a spanner wrench on one end.