Removing the Castle nut

[poppy37]

I wanted to add a 1 point sling attachment to my AR,seemed simple enough until I got to the Castle nut. Is there an easier way to remove this? I have the wrenches but I cant get it to budge. I don't know how many banannas they gave the gorilla that tightened it down but I cant get it to move. any ideas?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[HotGuns]

The castle nuts are usually staked. You need to file out or Dremel the "staked" part of it so that it moves.
Its also possible that it is locktited. Get a hair dryer or heat gun to warm it up and break the bond.

[poppy37]

Thanks, I didn't think about it being Locktited. I read a few people had to take theirs to a Gunsmith and have him loosen it.

[tacman605]

Poppy37.

You may already know this but under the retaining plate is a spring and a detent. It maintains pressure on the rear take down pin without it the pin will continually slide out.

When you remove that plate unless you know it is there and careful it will fly out they also can be a pain to get back in. Be careful when taking it off. There is also another spring and detent at the top of the pistol grip on the right hand side. This maintains pressure on the selector switch/safety. When you remove the pistol grip they can come out.

[ericb327]

Poppy37.

You may already know this but under the retaining plate is a spring and a detent. It maintains pressure on the rear take down pin without it the pin will continually slide out.

When you remove that plate unless you know it is there and careful it will fly out they also can be a pain to get back in. Be careful when taking it off. There is also another spring and detent at the top of the pistol grip on the right hand side. This maintains pressure on the selector switch/safety. When you remove the pistol grip they can come out.

This is great info, I saw a YouTube video that saved me on both springs when I removed my castle nut and replaced my grip. Check out YouTube, some video will show this.

[buckeye .45]

Thanks, I didn't think about it being Locktited. I read a few people had to take theirs to a Gunsmith and have him loosen it.

I learned from experience, that Bushmaster uses red loc-tite on their castle nuts. You may want to call the manufacturer, and ask them what their procedure is.

[poppy37]

Thanks for the info, I'll give it a try, I knew about the spring behind the pistol grip but not the spring under the retaining plate. Thast could have been a surprise.

[bamfsig45]

If you have a lower receiver block and a vise that will help greatly.

[HotGuns]

The Locktite bond is made to be broken by heat. Using a heat gun or a hair dryer will work as long as you keep it moving. Of course, you need to be careful with that stock.

[tacman605]

Glad it helped and yes it can be a problem if they fly out.

There is a modification I saw where the hole under the plate is tapped and a set screw is inserted that ends this problem.

[dukalmighty]

I thought this was gonna be something about the "White House"

[GlockRacer]

LockTite?!?! I hope not. Ever get that castle nut loose Poppy?

[jonconsiglio]

On my 6720 I had to use a cheater bar and basically hang from it. On both of my KAC's I just used a little force with the standard wrench.

Heat it if ou think there's loctite. As mentioned, you can remove the staking. It's actually pretty easy to loosen a staked castle nut as the staking simply breaks off, but removing it first is a good idea.

Don't be afraid to put some serious muscle into it, just be sure it's supported correctly.