Muzzle break removal question

[Rich1911]

Hi. I’m wanting to switch out my break that came with my upper. I do have the correct wrench size to remove, but my issue is that the wrench head is a little too fat in which it hits the edges of the crush washer, not allowing a good seat.

If it matters, I’ve tried craftsman, gear wrench, and different adjustables. Are armorers wrenches slimmer in head size? Any other ideas?

[SkyHawk]

Do you have a bench grinder or a belt sander? You can thin out a wrench head pretty quick if so, and wrenches can be had pretty cheap. Clean up the resulting burr with a file or Dremel.

[mtenenhaus]

i ran into the same challenge a while back, in the mean time you might consider warming the area a bit and spraying a little penetrating oil so it will be easier when you get an appropriate tool.....i have a thin adjustable wrench, i think it's made for plumbing. it looks a lot like this one i'm posting below (i think i paid 12 dollars for mine so perhaps look around, also it turned out that my open end wrench fit):

https://www.amazon.com/LUBAN-Adjustable-16-68mm-Oversized-Openings/dp/B07CTJYXK4/ref=sr_1_10?dchild=1&keywords=thin+adjustable+plumbing+wrench&qid=1617124633&s=hi&sr=1-10

if you're in San Diego i'd be happy to lend you mine

[waawaaweenie]

the crush washer is toast anyway so may as well get the old grinder out and be ready to cut it off after you thin out the wrench,

[pohorsky]

Do you have a bench grinder or a belt sander? You can thin out a wrench head pretty quick if so, and wrenches can be had pretty cheap. Clean up the resulting burr with a file or Dremel.

[ar15barrels]

Hi. I’m wanting to switch out my break that came with my upper.
I do have the correct wrench size to remove, but my issue is that the wrench head is a little too fat in which it hits the edges of the crush washer, not allowing a good seat.
Any other ideas?

You need a thin head tappet wrench.

I recommend this one because it has both 3/4" and 5/8" which will cover most AR type muzzle devices:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-8-3-4-Armstrong-Open-End-Wrench-26-097-made-in-USA/233654822674?epid=2283086011&hash=item3666e9a712:g:2gsAAOSwoQ9fFKeQ

https://www.ebay.com/itm/FAIRMOUNT-629D-THIN-WRENCH-DBL-OPEN-END-WRENCH-5-8-X-3-4-WRENCH-MADE-IN-USA/224404712072?hash=item343f902a88:g:u~QAAOSwzkVgIA5a

[pacrat]

You need a thin head tappet wrench.

My thoughts exactly when I read of the jaw thickness issue. Then I thought, how many current AR owners.

Even know what a "tappet" is?

[SkyHawk]

My thoughts exactly when I read of the jaw thickness issue. Then I thought, how many current AR owners.

Even know what a "tappet" is?

My tappet wrenches are all motorcycle sized

[ARFrog]

My thoughts exactly when I read of the jaw thickness issue. Then I thought, how many current AR owners.

Even know what a "tappet" is?

I know, I know...


It is what I use when my pivot pin on my AR is sticking - a "tap-it" wrench, hammer or whatever is available to do the job.

[pacrat]

My tappet wrenches are all motorcycle sized

Mine also include "motorcycle sizes". Whitworth, from my BSA/Triumph days. Metric for the ubiquitous Nippon bikes, and Bultacos. And good ole American SAE

I know, I know...


It is what I use when my pivot pin on my AR is sticking - a "tap-it" wrench, hammer or whatever is available to do the job.

That'l work...........................

[ar15barrels]

My tappet wrenches are all motorcycle sized

I have volkswagen and motorcycle sized tappet wrenches as well as firearm size tappet wrenches.

[sigstroker]

My tappet wrenches are all motorcycle sized

I just use one of those cheap Tapco wrenches (under ten bucks) and "tappet" with a hammer.