M14/M1A Castle Nut
This small but important part is one the few taken for granted. Everybody can figure out how to screw it on and understand the roll it plays.
The most important aspect of the Castle Nut, in my opinion, is make certain you have a USGI one. The USGI Castle Nut will have all the necessary features required to preform it's duty. This can not be said of some of the Commercial ones I have inspected. Taking the attitude that a Castle Nut is A Castle Nut is a mistake and can lead to your worst nightmare.
Somebody on a Forum provided information, which I didn't know, concerning the special threading in a USGI Castle Nut. This special threading requires less torque to result in the same pressure the non special thread requires. I hope I have that correct.
Installing a USGI Castle Nut correctly is not difficult but it is not a case of get it on tight. I would like to add one additional point. When the Castle Nut is tighten to the final position and the lock screw has been installed reverse the Castle Nut until a secure pressure brings it firmly against the lock screw. The lock screw does not hold the Flash Suppressor on the barrel, it prevents the Castle Nut from backing off, which would cause a loose Flash Suppressor.
By Art Luppino
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