Removing Castle Nut / AR15

[DavidRSA]

Just got my 1st AR15 last month, a M&P-15T. Trying to install a Rear Receiver QD Swivel Attachment. Cannot get the castle nut off!! I got the special wrench for this, I removed the rear takedown pin, took out the innards of the buffer tube, removed the stock, then attacked the castle nut. I am a fairly heavy guy and for the life of me cannot get that nut to budge. Worried I may bend the wrench. Is there something I am missing here? (Doesn't look like I am dealing with a reverse threading issue). Any tips on how to remove this thing other than brute force and maybe better tools? Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
David

[trilogy]

Check to see if it's staked in place. Pictures and suggestions in the link.

http://www.ar15armory.com/forums/carbine-castle-nut-stakin-t19145.html

Other than that I have no idea.

--Matt

[jchen76@gmail.com]

If it's not staked, it may be loctite'd on. If red loctite was used, than heat is the answer. Some manufacturer such as RRA would loctite the buffer tube on their AR pistols.

[AndrewMendez]

Trilogy hit it on the head! The only thing holding it in place would be the stake/pin. or super glue.

[sarge1572]

I work on Colt's all the time. They are staked, usually in 2 places, and are not pinned or loc-tited. If your wrench is bending, it's the wrench. They take some effort, but should come off without too much fanfare. Remember, the spring and detent pin for the rear take down pin are under the receiver endplate in front of that nut. Folks buy new springs all the time replacing the bent one!!

Jeff

[DavidRSA]

Thanks for all the guidance. Those pics were very helpful...So it is staked. Now how to I "de-stake" it? Pure brute force? Or can the stakes be removed somehow?

[Max DVC]

While supporting the wrench flush on the castle nut with one hand, give the handle of the wrench a 'sharp' smack with a mallet to shear the staked metal that is protruding into the recesses of the castle nut...

[ar15barrels]

So it is staked. Now how to I "de-stake" it?

Pure brute force.

[Seesm]

Pretty easy to have that wrench "slip" off the nut and damage the nut...

Careful not to skin up the knuckles...

[wilafur]

same issue here. tried both the mallet and brute force, however, the spanner wrench slipped off and kinda jacked up the finish on the nut. bummer.

anyone in west la that can help? =)

[ar15barrels]

You need to CONTROL the brute force.
Put a cheater bar on the spanner wrench.

If you can't do it, I can...