PSA AR 308 barrel nut removel

[Str8shooter]

Ok so Im expecting this to be a rehash but here goes.

I have a PSA Gen2 PA10 18" Midlength .308 WIN 1:10 Stainless Steel 15" M-Lok Upper with BCG & CH - 516447164 that I am replacing the barrel on.  I am going to a BSF carbon fiber barrel.  I have seen all sorts of horror stories online about them.  I have contacted them and have gotten various answers such as 1 1/3 or 30MM open end wrench.  I've also seen online 1 1/8.  

Anyone done this on the ar10 from them?   Any help would be appreciated.  I'd rather only buy once when it comes to the wrench.  

[Boot_Scraper]

Freeze it. No kidding.

When i tried to remove the handguard from my PA10 upper it wouldn't budge. I left it in my deep freezer over night and it practically fell off. Not sure about the size nut, but mine was 1-1/8".

[Str8shooter]

Thanks Boot, would you happen to have a caliper handy to measure the flats on you barrel nut?  Did you have the free float handguard?  I'd really like to get this off with the least amount of issue.  I personally like the handguard that come's with it.  So cold instead of heat?  I'm kind of surprised by that.  did you use a large crescent wrench or an actual box werench?  BTW I can verify that the echo 2 trigger will not fit in the PSA lower.  LOL  I have two.  

[Boot_Scraper]

I made an "enhanced torque" just in case. It was overkill but overkill is just enough in my book. It is 1-1/8".

I do have a caliper but the barrel nut and handguard is mounted on my dad's rifle. 

Check out my thread:

 

[Robocop1051]

You only need heat if there’s something other than torque holding the metal together; rust, loctite, etc. 

use cold to separate two metals. They shrink in opposite directions. I’ve done this myself to remove troublesome screws. 

[Str8shooter]

Thanks all.  I will let you know how it goes once the new barrel comes in next week.  I really wanted to upgrade the barrel to the BSF CF red barrel.  How did you all find the accuracy on the factory stick?  I haven't even put rounds down it.  

Edited November 18, 2018 by Str8shooter

[Str8shooter]

• Well this has gotten interesting.  It's not 1 1/4 or 1 5/16(too small) and 1 1/2 is too big.  Good times trying to sort through em.  I ran out of sizes so I may have to go to a big crescent wrench.  ugh.

[jtallen83]

2 hours ago, Str8shooter said:

• Well this has gotten interesting.  It's not 1 1/4 or 1 5/16(too small) and 1 1/2 is too big.  Good times trying to sort through em.  I ran out of sizes so I may have to go to a big crescent wrench.  ugh.

I have used a chunk of shim stock on the jaw of a slightly oversized wrench and got away with it. We call it farmering around here.

[Str8shooter]

Lol. I’ve framed some tools in the past also.  I’m prob more comfortable using a crescent wrench vs a shimed wrench though. Especially the first time I try to pull this beast off. 

[mrmackc]

On 11/18/2018 at 11:32 AM, Str8shooter said:

• Well this has gotten interesting.  It's not 1 1/4 or 1 5/16(too small) and 1 1/2 is too big.  Good times trying to sort through em.  I ran out of sizes so I may have to go to a big crescent wrench.  ugh.

Sounds like 1 3/8" or probably a Metric.  If in doubt measure across the flats like you know what you are doing.

[StvHlhn]

Get it right because PSA uses a silver back gorilla to install barrels.

 

Good luck!

[Sharpshooter]

I didn't know @98Z5V worked for PSA! When did that happen?

[DNP]

A couple months after he left CMMG. 
 

....or was let go for who knows why. He’ll never work customer service again. 

Edited July 13, 2020 by DNP

[Radioactive]

6 hours ago, Sharpshooter said:

I didn't know @98Z5V worked for PSA! When did that happen?

He’s more refined and polished now!