Shop Made AR barrel nut?

[spitfire_er]

I have been thinking lately to make my own free float forearm tube for an AR build I'm doing. I am wondering about the barrel nut. Looks pretty simple to make one and drill a gas port. The machining and making of it is not a problem, but I was wondering are there any special considerations when choosing material for strength? I have several types or aluminum tube sitting around and off hand I think I have 6061, and 7071 on hand.

 

[EWaugh]

I tried it once when I had nothing else to do. Made the tube, barrel nut, gas block, and barrel came off an old M700. I call this my truck gun it actually shoots pretty good. Need to put some kind of finish on it.

 

[hoz53]

I tried it once when I had nothing else to do. Made the tube, barrel nut, gas block, and barrel came off an old M700. I call this my truck gun it actually shoots pretty good. Need to put some kind of finish on it. View attachment 990417

That's quite a barrel nut Ernie. Did you use a stock barrel extension? i don't think I want to try and make one of them. I'll try the nut sometime though.

 

[spitfire_er]

I tried it once when I had nothing else to do. Made the tube, barrel nut, gas block, and barrel came off an old M700. I call this my truck gun it actually shoots pretty good. Need to put some kind of finish on it. View attachment 990417

Nice touch with the faux threads. That's a big nut!

 

[EWaugh]

That's quite a barrel nut Ernie. Did you use a stock barrel extension? i don't think I want to try and make one of them. I'll try the nut sometime though.

Yes the barrel extension is stock (Bat Machine).

 

[akajun]

Made one out of 6061 t6 before for an ar10 with a big forearm. Use a parabolic drill to drill the gas port holes so they don't wander, and you will need to anodize it to prevent thread galling. A home anodize will work fine