PRI barrel nut install

[bllistc]

I’m installing the round PRI gen 3 Handguard and I’m having trouble aligning the gas tube hole with the barrel nut. Their website says to torque down to 40-65 ft/lbs but it’s not enough to line up the holes. I’d have to go way over, like 90 ft/lbs to get it to align. Any ideas how to go about it? I’ve loosened and retightened the barrel nut a few times already and it’s always the same position.

 

[bfoosh006]

Barrel nut shims. They are made for 5.56 size and .308 size AR's

https://bisonarmory.com/shim-sets/

https://www.spikestactical.com/collections/upper-parts/spikes-308-shim-kit/

 

[bllistc]

Barrel nut shims. They are made for 5.56 size and .308 size AR's

https://bisonarmory.com/shim-sets/

https://www.spikestactical.com/collections/upper-parts/spikes-308-shim-kit/

Just realized I have a couple left that came with an aero precision hand guard. Thank you!

 

[drewthebrave]

Do you have some grease on the threads? That can help reduce the torque necessary to align it. Mine didn't give me too much trouble, so maybe I just got lucky... Shims would be the next logical step if grease doesn't get you there.

 

[longshot2000]

shims or anti-sieze. Normally, when I find myself putting too much torque to hit the next hole, I have to move it back to the previous hole.

 

[bllistc]

shims or anti-sieze. Normally, when I find myself putting too much torque to hit the next hole, I have to move it back to the previous hole.

So I ended up calling PRI and asked them about it. They said the 40-65 ft/lb is just a reference and its ok to go over that by a little if needed for alignment. I ended up getting it aligned properly at about 85 ft/lbs. Backed it off and tightened again and got it to the same hole at 60 ft/lbs so I didn't need the shims. I did put anti-seize on the threads.