Castle Nut Removal

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Lowestform

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Am I missing something trying to do this?

I've broken a set of ground down vice grips twice, have deformed it by hitting it with a punch, and even tried a bit of heat. The thing simply won't budge. And yes, I have removed the set screw.

I'm almost ready to grab the angle grinder and slot it then break it with a chisel.

Can anyone point me in a better direction?
 
Assuming it's for a M305 did you break the spot weld that holds it it place before trying to remove the nut? It's on the underside at the back end of the flash hider, just past the nut.
 
There are spot welds on the nut itself? I can't see any. I see the two welds on the back of the flash hider right behind the bayonet lug, but nothing on the nut itself.

It seems like it's been torqued on there really tight. I can't get it to spin free to start trying to remove the flash hider from the barrel.

Yes, it's a M305. Are they known to be incredibly tight?
 
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There aren't spot welds on the nut, only on the FH itself however there is a locking screw that holds the nut in place. Did you unscrew this before torquing the castle nut?

The screw is on the flash hider just in front of the front sight.
 
Lowestform said:
There are spot welds on the nut itself? I can't see any. I see the two welds on the back of the flash hider right you the bayonet lug, but nothing on the nut itself.

It seems like it's been torqued on there really tight. I can even get it to spin free to start trying to remove the flash hider from the barrel.

Yes, it's a M305. Are they known to be incredibly tight?
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1. We now know it's an M305, good.
2. The flash hider is spot welded on, not the nut.
3. You can't remove/unscrew the nut until you break the weld on the flash hider.
4. The sight has a set screw to lock it in but so does the castle nut. Make sure you have removed the right one, or both.
5. As TT would say, it's a Norinco, don't baby it.
6. Protect the barrel with tape and use a hard wood board to hammer the flash hider a few times, good and hard. After a few wacks try to turn the nut. Repeat as required.

Your going to place the board either behind the lug or sight on the stock side. The aim is to break the weak spot weld and then unscrew the nut.
 
So the nut won't turn at all until the flash hider is whacked a bunch with a hammer and block of wood?

Wow.

I honestly wouldn't of thought that. One would think the nut would turn on its own then you would attempt to bash the flash hider off, breaking the welds at that point. I wouldn't think there would be any movement in the flash hider until the nut was loose.

I'll give it a go in a bit. Thanks!
 
I was in the same boat only a few months ago... Who the hell thought spot welding a FH was a good idea?!?
TacticalTeacher showed me a few tricks when I was worried I'd break the rifle so just passing it forward. If you want great advice, tips, and training on your M305 shoot him a PM. He holds classes all over Canada each year. Make the gun a better shooter as well as you. ;)
 
If nothing moves, take a Dremel tool (shudder!) and cut a slot in the side of the castle nut. The welds are usually on the bottom. Then split it with a chisel. You will of course need to replace the Chinese castle nut because that is what holds the front sight etc on the barrel. It is also an important feature in barrel harmonics.
 
Lowestform said:
So the nut won't turn at all until the flash hider is whacked a bunch with a hammer and block of wood?

Wow.

I honestly wouldn't of thought that. One would think the nut would turn on its own then you would attempt to bash the flash hider off, breaking the welds at that point. I wouldn't think there would be any movement in the flash hider until the nut was loose.

I'll give it a go in a bit. Thanks!
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The nut rotates a bit even if the flash hider is still welded on.
You are sure you removed the set screw that goes in on an angle from the FRONT of the base of the front sight?

I tried hitting the castle nut with a hammer and punch too and it just wouldn't work.
You may just need to bite the bullet and get the castle nut pliers. Even then, it was on pretty tight.
 
Once the set screw is removed and you have good pliers that fit in the castle nut it should turn. Or try some penetrating fluid, let it soak a bit then unscrew it.
 
Hooray for Penetrating oil and a 2lb sledge with a punch.

the castle nut is mangled a bit but still functional.

Now off to the shop where there's a huge vice so I can beat the flash hider off!

Thanks for the help, everyone!
 
Lowestform said:
Hooray for Penetrating oil and a 2lb sledge with a punch.

the castle nut is mangled a bit but still functional.

Now off to the shop where there's a huge vice so I can beat the flash hider off!

Thanks for the help, everyone!
Click to expand...

Remember; It's a Norinco.... you can only make it better! :)

yuk yuk yuk!!!

Glad things are working out for you! :wave:

Barney
 
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