Grease for the AR Barrel Nut

Bojangles

Bojangles

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I looked into the recommended grease for an AR barrel nut on a number of websites.

The biggest NO-NO seemed to be grease that contains graphite. Apparently quite a number of greases do.

Moly (Molybdenum Disulfide) is OK.

The recommended grease by many was AREOSHELL 33MS. I looked all over for just a small amount, but it seemed unavailable. I had to settle for a tube of the stuff, so I have a lifetime supply now. :)

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Cheers!
B
 
I remember reading here that the CF uses Silver Grade Anti-Seize. When I built my rifle I used Permatex Silver Grade Anti-Seize from Canadian Tire for my barrel nut. Its been over two years now in all types of temperatures and I haven't noticed any issues. Word of advice if your using anti-seize you don't need a lot, I put way to much on and it oozed out when I tightened the barrel nut.
 
There is no real need for grease or anti-seize.

They do nothing. I've breached and un-breached hundreds of rifles without any lubricants.

Grease on the threads will give an incorrect torque. There is no corrosion issues with properly coated parts. Any grease or anti-seize will be gone as soon as you fire. I've never seen galvanic corrosion between anodized AL and Phosphated steel.

Just clean the parts and use a torque wrench.
 
That is a supprise statement.
Lubricant like anti-sieze allows for easier future removal and it does stick around on the threads for years after, until you pull the barrel.
This especially true of parts that have or will be re-used.
 
beltfed said:
That is a supprise statement.
Lubricant like anti-sieze allows for easier future removal and it does stick around on the threads for years after, until you pull the barrel.
This especially true of parts that have or will be re-used.
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I've taught armourer schools for 12 years. I'm a Colt and Colt Canada certified armourer instructor.

We've fired billions of rounds and built and re-built guns used and abused in all the worst ways.

We've tested the procedure with and without any lubes and found that there is no advantage and sometimes disadvantage.

Colt and Colt Canada don't use it in production. Most techs I meet don't use it.

I've seen guys delay assembling or drive across town looking for grease that won't really help.

That's just my two cents.
 
Billions you say?

Matt K said:
I've taught armourer schools for 12 years. I'm a Colt and Colt Canada certified armourer instructor.

We've fired billions of rounds and built and re-built guns used and abused in all the worst ways.

We've tested the procedure with and without any lubes and found that there is no advantage and sometimes disadvantage.

Colt and Colt Canada don't use it in production. Most techs I meet don't use it.

I've seen guys delay assembling or drive across town looking for grease that won't really help.

That's just my two cents.
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I suppose if Colt Canada doesn't use it then not a biggie, buuut.... I have heard that using an anti-seize (I used Copper-based anti-seize) will protect both sides of the threads from galvanic corrosion, if there is some compromised finish on either part.
 
Bojangles said:
I looked into the recommended grease for an AR barrel nut on a number of websites.

The biggest NO-NO seemed to be grease that contains graphite. Apparently quite a number of greases do.

Moly (Molybdenum Disulfide) is OK.

The recommended grease by many was AREOSHELL 33MS. I looked all over for just a small amount, but it seemed unavailable. I had to settle for a tube of the stuff, so I have a lifetime supply now. :)

Grease1.jpg


Grease2.jpg


Grease3.jpg


Cheers!
B
Click to expand...
Lol. That's the grease I used because I have copious amounts available. That grease is used for aircraft jack screws, and usually expires long before use...so if you know an ame he can probably get you anywhere from a glob to a case! I don't care who you ask or how many studies have been done. My experience is a lubed thread is better than a dry thread. Once aluminium starts to gall you can be in trouble!
 
Matt K said:
There is no real need for grease or anti-seize.

They do nothing. I've breached and un-breached hundreds of rifles without any lubricants.

Grease on the threads will give an incorrect torque. There is no corrosion issues with properly coated parts. Any grease or anti-seize will be gone as soon as you fire. I've never seen galvanic corrosion between anodized AL and Phosphated steel.

Just clean the parts and use a torque wrench.
Click to expand...

Can you explain to me how shooting the gun dissolves grease on the outside of a barrel? I am confused....
 
Assembling any kind of aluminum threaded parts, to high torque values....without grease....is against all mechanical and engineering common sense.

35 years ago some of my associates barreled some AR uppers, dry. When the barrels needed to be replaced years later the nuts were seized quite tightly and when finally removed, the upper's threads were (no surprise) badly damaged. There was no corrosion whatsoever, the nuts and uppers were ruined because of the aluminum galling through no lubrication.

Always grease the barrel nut and mating upper threads! Likewise, always grease the receiver extension (aka buffer tube) and mating lower's threads.

Oh, speaking of wrong torque values. In this application, accurate torque can only be applied with lubrication.
 
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This is same one I bought from Airplane mechanic online store located in Ontario. This is the so called milspec grease lol... For $20 buck probably the last grease I buy, it is plentiful.

Bojangles said:
I looked into the recommended grease for an AR barrel nut on a number of websites.

The biggest NO-NO seemed to be grease that contains graphite. Apparently quite a number of greases do.

Moly (Molybdenum Disulfide) is OK.

The recommended grease by many was AREOSHELL 33MS. I looked all over for just a small amount, but it seemed unavailable. I had to settle for a tube of the stuff, so I have a lifetime supply now. :)

Grease1.jpg


Grease2.jpg


Grease3.jpg


Cheers!
B
Click to expand...
 
I always use a bit of Molybdenum Disulfide grease when torquing down a barrel nut. I pretty much follow the guidelines in the USGI M4/M16 armorer's manual...here's the actual instruction for using the moly grease, which is found on page 3-31 of the manual:



So it's pretty clear that the torque specs found on the following pages of the manual do incorporate the molybdenum grease.
 
shhh said:
There is a good reason you're confused. It's because his statement is completely wrong.
Click to expand...

but..but.. That is how Colt does it

:)

I was joking.. I know it makes no sense whatsoever.. and makes me glad I did not drop big $$ on a Colt AR lol :)
 
Yuu said:
This is same one I bought from Airplane mechanic online store located in Ontario. This is the so called milspec grease lol... For $20 buck probably the last grease I buy, it is plentiful.
Click to expand...

Yes, I purchased it online from "Aircraft Spruce" in Brantford Ontario for $20 bucks plus shipping.

Here is some Youtube video of a barrel install using the 33MS grease

 
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