Another AR question.

[IEatZ28]

I apologize, I'm just goin to put all my AR questions here.

So, tonight I went to go look at my upper and when I picked it up from the carry handle, it seemed like there was a little play between the upper reciever and the barrel. Is this common? I don't really know how to explain it.
If I grab the barrel and the charging handle and bend it like you you break a stick (not hard) it has a little play, not solid.

It doesn't bother me, I'm just curious if it'll effect anything.


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[digdug74]

Sounds normal. The barrel will flex a bit, particularly if it is of the lighter weight variety.

[IEatZ28]

I'm not sure if its a lighter barrel though. But if its normal I'm ok haha


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[AeroEngi]

The barrel should flex when firing but not when you're handling the rifle. You might want to check the barrel nut and make sure it's torqued down properly.

[BOOGIEMAN]

Sounds normal. The barrel will flex a bit, particularly if it is of the lighter weight variety.

No!!!!!Barrel flexing? What is that a rubber toy gun?

[IEatZ28]

What's the torque? And I'm going to need to remove the gas tube right?


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[AeroEngi]

What's the torque? And I'm going to need to remove the gas tube right?


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The torque should be 30-80 ft-lbs. You have to torque it to a minimum within that range. What I mean is, you have to torque it to 30 ft-lbs and then check to see if the barrel nut groove allows for the gas tube to pass through without interference. If the barrel nut is blocking the gas tube, you have to torque it some more but only enough so that the gas tube has clearance.

Before doing this though, I would check to see if the barrel nut is loose with finger pressure without taking anything apart except maybe your handguard.

[IEatZ28]

There's really no play in the barrel nut with the gas tube in


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[AeroEngi]

There's really no play in the barrel nut with the gas tube in


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Then I don't see how your barrel can move around like you described in your OP.

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[thegamettt]

Are you sure its not just the play between upper and lower?

[IEatZ28]

I don't have a lower yet haha


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[IEatZ28]

I wasn't trying to turn it to hard because of the gas tube


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[Xtracrispy]

If you can move the barrel nut at all it it too loose. To make sure we are all on the same page, the barrel has play where it attaches to the upper?

[mod8guy]

Sounds like an improper barrel nut torque. If its a YH handguard its secured to the barrel nut which may be why you can't easily turn it. The gas tube can be a tight fit through the spline on the barrel nut if the nut is a little crooked.

[IEatZ28]

Barrel to upper is the place where it moves and I'm not sure what YH means. It's an NCstar quard railed HG. But that's completely removed.


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