Barrel install tool

[RAM2940]

Going to install a barrel into a Mega SBU upper and wondering whats the best or proper holding fixture for the upper. I was looking at a DPMS claw or a upper vise block(will it fit a Mega SBU upper).

[jurassic]

This:
Geissele Reaction Rod AR-15 Action Wrench Steel
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/444133/...cm_vc=U112

I've had all the others, this beats them all in my opinion. It also works with billet uppers which none of the clamp type do (as far as I know.) Clamping the tool in a vice(use aluminum pads on the vice) makes it fool proof, slide the receiver over the tool, and torque away. It's expensive, but really worth it if you plan to build more than one ar, and you probably will when your friends see your rifle.

The Brownells version is much less expensive but its designed to work differently, no experience with it. Maybe someone who has one can chime in.

[RAM2940]

Looking at the reaction rod, How does that hold the receiver to knock the barrel into it.

[mongoosesnipe]

It does not hold the reciver at all, it holds the barrel extension so as to not put preasure on the reciver at all when appling torque to the barrel,

In order to press fit the barrel into the reciver you will need to hold the reciver in some other fashion, one method I have had quite a bit of luck with is holding the reciver by the rail, pri make a clamp to do it but I just us a cheap scope riser like this one http://www.ebay.com/itm/See-Thru-Flat-To...3f290b5c34 I just attach it to the rail and clamp it in a vise but I have been meaning to get a reaction rod but it seems to be out of stock whenever I am doing a build so I have made due with out it and just use he scope riser in a vise....

[jurassic]

Looking at the reaction rod, How does that hold the receiver to knock the barrel into it.

I have had only one barrel that was so tight I could not push it in with my hands, but that one did require putting the barrel in the freezer and heating the receiver with a heat gun. It went in easily and came out just as easily putting heat to the receiver again when I changed my mind. Other than that, snug barrels usually only require putting the muzzle down on something padded on the floor and pushing the receiver down.

[haustinv]

As coincidence has it I happen to have the Brownells tool, the PRI tool and I also have a Mega SBU upper, I prefer the Brownells tool over the Geissele in one important feature. The Geissele version is used by mounting it in a vise and then using a barrel nut wrench to tighten the nut. Problem is the square drive in the wrench is offset so you have to recalculate your torque setting on your torque wrench. When using the Brownells tool you mount your barrel nut wrench in the vise and the Brownells tool has the square drive in its middle so you don't have to do any recalculation for your torque wrench. As far as the Mega SBU upper, it is made to have a heat fit. You must heat it up to get the barrel in or out. I have been told you should never hit the barrel or receiver to get them to fit. If you do you stand the chance of warping your receiver and if you have a heat fit like Mega without the heat you will damage it. I prefer holding the receiver with my PRI tool, it can hold the upper either by the picatinny rail or the pin lugs, when I am going to be applying heavy force I use the picatinny holder so as not to risk the pin lugs being damaged.

[Tedward]

As coincidence has it I happen to have the Brownells tool, the PRI tool and I also have a Mega SBU upper, I prefer the Brownells tool over the Geissele in one important feature. The Geissele version is used by mounting it in a vise and then using a barrel nut wrench to tighten the nut. Problem is the square drive in the wrench is offset so you have to recalculate your torque setting on your torque wrench. When using the Brownells tool you mount your barrel nut wrench in the vise and the Brownells tool has the square drive in its middle so you don't have to do any recalculation for your torque wrench. As far as the Mega SBU upper, it is made to have a heat fit. You must heat it up to get the barrel in or out. I have been told you should never hit the barrel or receiver to get them to fit. If you do you stand the chance of warping your receiver and if you have a heat fit like Mega without the heat you will damage it. I prefer holding the receiver with my PRI tool, it can hold the upper either by the picatinny rail or the pin lugs, when I am going to be applying heavy force I use the picatinny holder so as not to risk the pin lugs being damaged.

+2 on the Brownells tool. 1/3 of the cost too.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-...27452.aspx
Put this in the vise with the tabs pointing up, then set the barrel pointing down and the barrel nut in the tabs.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-...od468.aspx
Use this paste if you don't want a dry fit.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-...d1149.aspx

Proper tools and supplies make things go easier, I think Brownells makes some good things with added thought of other companies products.


Also I found the new Mega SBU's don't need heated or frozen to install the barrel nut. I think they changed there measurements. I have both, and my barrel fits in the new one without heat and not the older model.

No I don't have "interests or work for Brownells" but if they sold stock, not a bad idea.

[kamrr4437]

I use a dpms panther claw block and it works great. Never had any problems with it. I like how it just pins to the receiver and doesnt mar up the outside of it like other blocks can. You will like it.

[GMinor]

I have had only one barrel that was so tight I could not push it in with my hands, but that one did require putting the barrel in the freezer and heating the receiver with a heat gun. It went in easily and came out just as easily putting heat to the receiver again when I changed my mind. Other than that, snug barrels usually only require putting the muzzle down on something padded on the floor and pushing the receiver down.

I had to bust out a mallet to get my barrel seated fully... Mega HD Billet Upper, PF bartlein Barrel.

[RAM2940]

I tried a test fit and there is no way the barrel will fit in the upper without heat.

[TheEnigma]

I tried a test fit and there is no way the barrel will fit in the upper without heat.

kill both those birds with one stone.

[tango29]

I have had only one barrel that was so tight I could not push it in with my hands, but that one did require putting the barrel in the freezer and heating the receiver with a heat gun. It went in easily and came out just as easily putting heat to the receiver again when I changed my mind. Other than that, snug barrels usually only require putting the muzzle down on something padded on the floor and pushing the receiver down.

I use this one. It is recommended for Billet receivers so you don't warp the receiver.[ATTACH=CONFIG]4730[/ATTACH]


http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-...52635.aspx

[explorecaves]

I use this one. It is recommended for Billet receivers so you don't warp the receiver.[ATTACH=CONFIG]4730[/ATTACH]


http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-...52635.aspx

Just don't use it with forged lowers as it puts excess stress on the upper receiver mounting tabs. Many forged uppers have broken with this tool...

[jurassic]

I use this one. It is recommended for Billet receivers so you don't warp the receiver.[ATTACH=CONFIG]4730[/ATTACH]


http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-...52635.aspx

How is that going to keep you from warping a receiver? If you have that much torque on a barrel nut to align the gas tube, you need to use shims on the barrel extension.

[jurassic]

+2 on the Brownells tool. 1/3 of the cost too.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-...27452.aspx
Put this in the vise with the tabs pointing up, then set the barrel pointing down and the barrel nut in the tabs.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-...od468.aspx
Use this paste if you don't want a dry fit.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-...d1149.aspx

Proper tools and supplies make things go easier, I think Brownells makes some good things with added thought of other companies products.


Also I found the new Mega SBU's don't need heated or frozen to install the barrel nut. I think they changed there measurements. I have both, and my barrel fits in the new one without heat and not the older model.

No I don't have "interests or work for Brownells" but if they sold stock, not a bad idea.

I think we had this discussion before, but how do you see when the gas tube hole is aligned with the barrel nut if everything is upside down? With a huge window for acceptable barrel nut torque, the offset of the wrench is not going to make much difference.

[explorecaves]

I think we had this discussion before, but how do you see when the gas tube hole is aligned with the barrel nut if everything is upside down? With a huge window for acceptable barrel nut torque, the offset of the wrench is not going to make much difference.

by looking down the charging handle slot. Alternately, you can use a pin or round stock the same diameter as the gas tube and when it drops through, you are aligned.