Ar15 barrel wobble a bit, dangerous?

H

HawkWei

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One of my AR15 upper with free floating rail installed has a slightly wobble barrel, when press the barrel it moves slightly about 0.5mm/1mm. I can see the barrel has some very small playroom through the chamber. The rifle runs good, stays on zero after 200 rounds. But still I am wondering is this normal for a free floating barrel to wobble like this?

Since the gas tube went through the barrel nut, I just don't see how can the barrel nut be loosen......

Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!
 
Something doesn't make sense. If your barrel was loose in the upper, it's highly unlikely that it would keep it's zero for over 200 rounds.

A barrel can come loose from the extension which would allow it to wiggle?

Pictures would help.
 
long story short you need to get this gun to someone with the tools and know-how to dis-assemble and inspect. This is a 30 minute job for someone who does these things. A headspace guage would be great also. Hopefully a judicious application of force with a torque wrench on the barrel nut will solve everything.

just my 2 cents. I would not shoot it until fixed. I am amazed that the bolt would lock up with a wobbly barrel, .. so the fella who mentioned barrel extension may be on to something.
 
bobbynewmark said:
long story short you need to get this gun to someone with the tools and know-how to dis-assemble and inspect. This is a 30 minute job for someone who does these things. A headspace guage would be great also. Hopefully a judicious application of force with a torque wrench on the barrel nut will solve everything.

just my 2 cents. I would not shoot it until fixed. I am amazed that the bolt would lock up with a wobbly barrel, .. so the fella who mentioned barrel extension may be on to something.
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I will get it to a gunsmith and thanks for the info :)
 
Was this a factory rifle or someone's build? Sounds like someone installed the barrel nut, wasn't sure if torquing it over one more notch for the gas tube hole to line up would break the nut/receiver. But I've been wrong before in my guessing.
 
Trinimon said:
Was this a factory rifle or someone's build? Sounds like someone installed the barrel nut, wasn't sure if torquing it over one more notch for the gas tube hole to line up would break the nut/receiver. But I've been wrong before in my guessing.
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It was a reciever I bought over EE, I think you may nailed the problem here :)
 
Improperly torqued barrel nut. The breeching procedure is somewhat more complicated than just screwing it on until it lines up. The "you don't need a torque wrench" gang causes this sort of thing regularly.

Aluminum threads can stretch and grease or debris in the threads can also cause incorrect breeching. If the threads stretch, the nut does not have to turn to get loose.

This is dangerous and repeated firing will damage your upper and potentially break bolt lugs.

Get it breeched correctly by someone that is certified and has the correct tools.
 
boss351cleveland said:
Are you sure its not the free float rail thats moving ? i had a loose FF hand guard and when it moved it looked like the barrel itself was moving but really it was the hand guard.
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This.

Plus, make sure the gunsmith you're taking it to has experience on AR-15's, probably 99% of gunsmiths have absolutely no idea how to work on an AR properly.
 
Did you or the last guy change the muzzle device? Cranking off a muzzle device without properly securing the barrel (as in holding the rifle by the upper) might have loosened it.
 
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