AR build help.

[shaper]

I need a little help on putting together a AR15. Here is the history.
I bought the completed upper and lower
I bought a (used) barrel on the swap and sell. It is a DPMS 20 inch stainless steel in 233 and is 1-9 twist. It has 6 flutes full length. it weighs 3 pounds 6 oz. It came with the gas block in place. It did not come with A barrel nut. So I ordered the nut, delta ring, and handguard forward cap. The barrel nut will not go down the barrel for instillation. Also the center hole in the front end cap is too small to go over the barrel. At the muzzle the barrel is .920 and 1.052at the place the barrel nut would be. The inside diameter of the barrel nut I have is 1.00" at the flange. The barrel nut does screw onto the upper like it should.
I have looked on line for three days now and can't find a barrel nut that will fit this barrel.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[BrassMagnet]

Call DPMS customer service. The worst they can do is say no.

[oldlincoln]

Most brands of tubular handguards should have a barrel nut that will clear, including the DPMS brand. Your gun will shoot better free floating too. Just my 2¢.

[dkf]

That barrel is DPMS target/varmit barrel which comes on their rifles/upper with a free float handguard.

I would get a rail if you can afford it. The ALG rails are top notch and come with the barrel nut, wrench, shims and etc for installation. It comes in several lengths and colors. A 13" or 15" rail would go nicely with your 20" barrel.

http://algdefense.com/rails.html

[bruce drake]

DKF beat me to the post but that barrel is setup for freefloat tube. Not sure you can find a barrel nut that isn't setup to be matched with a free-float tube to fit that bull barrel. Your groups with normal barrels will improve when it is free floated because having a sling mounted and used properly (tight) you will find your Point of Impact drop a couple of inches lower at 100 yards compared to shooting off a benchrest with no downward pressure on the barrel.

Now, I will tell you I have a bull barrel (825") on one of my ARs and I have found no difference in my groups when I'm slung up to shoot a highpower match versus shooting from a bench but it is noticeable when I shoot my other .223 AR with a govt. profile barrel the same way.

[MaryB]

Sounds like a bull barrel profile. DPMS sells parts direct so I would ask them.

[popper]

Bull barrel. HBAR is normally 0.75". Won't work with standard AR 15 parts. Get a free float tube and proper barrel nut. Is the barrel marked DPMS? If so call them.

[Geppetto]

Cheap, no-nonsense free float:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1413269192/dpms-free-float-tube-handguard-ar-15-aluminum-black?cm_vc=ProductFinding

I don't like rails because I don't personally have need for a flashlight, laser, fore-grip, flip up sight, bi-pod, and everything else.

You can drill and tap the tube for a sling swivel if needed.

[BrassMagnet]

Cheap, no-nonsense free float:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1413269192/dpms-free-float-tube-handguard-ar-15-aluminum-black?cm_vc=ProductFinding

I don't like rails because I don't personally have need for a flashlight, laser, fore-grip, flip up sight, bi-pod, and everything else.

You can drill and tap the tube for a sling swivel if needed.

What?
Are you saying you don't take a 17 1/2 pound rifle hunting?
Do it just once and you are likely to begin having fantasies or a Model 70 Featherweight in 7x57 with a Leopold VXII 3x9.
Free float AR barrels are the way to go!

[dkf]

Just because you have a rail doesn't mean you have to throw a bunch of **** on it.

[Geppetto]

Just because you have a rail doesn't mean you have to throw a bunch of **** on it.

That is very true. I guess, personally, since I don't use stuff on rails, I don't have reason to spend extra $$ on them. I also don't like the knobby edges, etc. Just personal preference... (also, sorry for thread drift).

[shaper]

I sent a email to DPMS customer service. Got a return that said "you need a free float hand guard". OK, I'll go with that, but it does not tell me about the barrel nut. I checked out the link geppetto sent. The guard looks good and the price is right, but again they do not tell me if it comes with the barrel nut. I do have a nice hand guard that covers the gas block but don't know if it is a free floater or not, how do you tell?

[MaryB]

My Midwest Industries free float is 9" 8.3oz. Top rail is fixed, has 2 optional smaller rails you can leave off so no sharp edges http://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=450

[xacex]

Just slap a ebay 30$ rail on it, put some rubber ladder covers on the rails and call it good. I weighed my midway free float tube vs the ebay rails and the midway one weighed more. Plus you have the added benefit of adding stuff like a bi-pod easy. I have a dozen of those rails and they are fine for a cheap free float option without the price of a "designer" rail like a Midwest Industries, or Yankee hill.

[xacex]

These are a copy of the old YHM design. Work just fine. http://www.ebay.com/itm/AR-Free-Float-7-Inch-Handguard-Quad-Rail-Mount-Picatinny-Rail-System-Carbine-/331336959795?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2538c733

Add these for comfort in the color you want. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pack-Of-4-18-slot-Ladder-Rail-Cover-Handguard-Weaver-Picatinny-BLACK-7-Quad-/331294357231?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d22aeb6ef

[freebullet]

Cheap, no-nonsense free float:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1413269192/dpms-free-float-tube-handguard-ar-15-aluminum-black?cm_vc=ProductFinding

I don't like rails because I don't personally have need for a flashlight, laser, fore-grip, flip up sight, bi-pod, and everything else.

You can drill and tap the tube for a sling swivel if needed.

The free float tube linked above will work with the bull bbl, I've owned one in that configuration. They also sell the same tube with vents for cooling and a kns sling swivel stud that comes with a little backer plate so you don't have to thread the tube simply drill the hole. It is important that you mark where you want the hole with the tube and nut torqued so it will line up.

You can tell if it's a free float tube easily. They don't contact the barrel or anything else past the barrel nut.

It comes with the proper barrel nut. You will need the proper 2 prong wrench and a strap wrench to install it. Home Depot sells a decent strap wrench by husky in the plumbing dept. A free float wrench can be had for another 20$.

[popper]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/141...ProductFinding (http://www.midwayusa.com/product/1413269192/dpms-free-float-tube-handguard-ar-15-aluminum-black?cm_vc=ProductFinding) My 24" DPMS came with this, works fine, includes barrel nut. There are similar with cooling slots for a few $ more, try Del Ton. It doesn't need to cover the GB, longer the heavier. Carbine length would probably be fine for you. Lightly lube (oil) the threads before installing. There are several different nut wrenches available, Make sure the one you get fits your nut.