Installing free float barrel on an ar-15

Installing Free Float Barrel Nut Assembly

Set torque to 30 001e. Lbs and attach torque wrench to your armorer’s wrench. Torque the barrel nut onto your receiver. Remove the barrel nut and re-torque to 30 001e. Repeat three times. Repeating the process conditions/breaks-in your threads. Loosen and remove the Ruger proprietary threaded barrel nut and delta ring assembly Install the new barrel nut, either mil-spec or proprietary to your new handguard, torquing the threads to 35-80ftlbs, taking care to properly seat the threads 3x, and aligning the gas tube notch at top dead center.

In the past, we’ve discussed selecting properly-sized gas systems and handguards, as well as quad rail systems.

While we briefly mentioned the process of removing and installing handguards, we didn’t go into much detail. In this installment in our series on the AR-15, we detail the process for removing and installing handguards or forearm rail systems on the rifle.

Remove the standard plastic handguards. If you have the standard plastic handguards, you’ll probably want to remove them with a forearm removal tool. This item is not necessarily required, although if you don’t have buddy to help you, it is a nearly indispensable too. It can also help save your fingers if you plan on removing the handguards frequently. Once the delta ring has been pulled down by using the forearm removal too, the plastic handguards will split into an upper and lower half and can both be pulled right off.
Install replacement handguards or two-piece quadrails.
Follow the instructions up to this point in reverse for reassembly. If, however, you plan on installing a free-float handguard or quad-rails, keep reading. For an article explaining the difference between two-piece and free-float, click here.
Remove the muzzle brake/flash hider
Loosen and remove the front sight post and/or gas block and gas tube.
Remove the delta ring assembly and barrel nut. One of the best tools to use for this is the AR Multi-Tool. When removing the front sight/gas block, you will probably need a punch set and a hammer.
With all of the previously mentioned items removed, install the new barrel nut, free-float tube or quad-rail, front sight/gas block, and flash hider/muzzle brake.
Reassemble in the reverse order of disassembly.

Installing Free Float Barrel Nut Assembly

Have you been following the series on making your AR-15 your own? Share your experiences in the comments section and let us know how it is going.