08-19-2014, 05:13 PM
Been a long time since I've been on here....just haven't had much time to focus on any hobbies with work and kiddos. But let me jump in here on this topic.
I think the Reaction Rod is a very good way to go for installing and removing barrels.
The rod interlocks with the barrel extension, thus any torque applied by removing or installing a barrel nut is all reacted at the interface of the barrel extension and reaction rod. No torque will go through the barrel or index pin.
As you apply torque on barrel nut the upper wants to act as a single piece, the reaction rod grips the extension and counteracts the torque. Torque only comes out at rod interface and doesn't affect barrel at all. Now if you turned the reaction rod without reacting it at the barrel nut you would load up the index pin and not the barrel in that case either.
Take the clam shell design for vices. The torque is applied to the barrel nut and the upper wants to act as a unit and spin until something counters it. In this case the vice reacts the torque at the top and bottom of the upper.
I think the Reaction Rod is a very good way to go for installing and removing barrels.
The rod interlocks with the barrel extension, thus any torque applied by removing or installing a barrel nut is all reacted at the interface of the barrel extension and reaction rod. No torque will go through the barrel or index pin.
As you apply torque on barrel nut the upper wants to act as a single piece, the reaction rod grips the extension and counteracts the torque. Torque only comes out at rod interface and doesn't affect barrel at all. Now if you turned the reaction rod without reacting it at the barrel nut you would load up the index pin and not the barrel in that case either.
Take the clam shell design for vices. The torque is applied to the barrel nut and the upper wants to act as a unit and spin until something counters it. In this case the vice reacts the torque at the top and bottom of the upper.