barrel torque for ar-15

when installing a barrel on an ar-15 upper, what is the torque necessary for proper fitment, if any, and how would you measure this if necessary?

You would use a inch pound torque wrench, but I usually tighten until snug with a barrel nut wrench, then center the nut slot/hole for the gas tube since it will holt the nut in place anyhow.

thats what i did with my last build, just wondering, had some guy telling me "i hope you had the right torque on your barrel, you'd hate something bad to happen"

dcmatt415 wrote:thats what i did with my last build, just wondering, had some guy telling me "i hope you had the right torque on your barrel, you'd hate something bad to happen"

Nah it locks up in this fashion. Also the headspace is set already so you have no issues there.

everywhere ive seen it states 30-40lbs it gives u a range so that you can align the holes for the gas tube. when purchasing an ar barrel...should i order the barrel and bolt from the same manufacturer or will they all headspace correctly?

It's a good idea to put some grease on the threads of your upper receiver before you torque on your barrel nut. Molybdenum disulfide grease is recommended by the military, but some well-placed sources (ADCO Firearms) say that any type of synthetic wheel bearing grease will do.

SHANE704 wrote:everywhere ive seen it states 30-40lbs it gives u a range so that you can align the holes for the gas tube. when purchasing an ar barrel...should i order the barrel and bolt from the same manufacturer or will they all headspace correctly?

You shouldn't have a problem with headspacing. Everything is supposed to be Mil-spec and therefore should work fine. One of my buddies has a set of headspace gauges, but I have never checked the headspace of my AR builds. YMMV.

I put syn wheel bearing grease on mine before putting them together. Tighten it down a little and then back off, tighten it down a lil more and back off, the last time tighten it pretty good and align to the next gas tube hole. That has worked for me and none of them have blown up yet