Peen receiver extension castle nut?

[OV1kenobi]

Here is my situation:

A while back I built a flat top AR-15 with a 20" barrel and A2 front sight. However, I built it with a carbine extension, buffer and Magpul collapsible carbine stock.

 I haven't fired it yet and don't know whether to keep it in its current configuration or put on an A2 rear stock and start from scratch and build an actual carbine with a 16" barrel.

So, can I just keep my castle nut wrench handy, check tightness frequently and correct as needed until I decide which way to go?

Or should I just go ahead and peen/stake the castle nut no matter what I ultimately decide just to be on the safe side?

This is what I currently have:

Edited September 10, 2017 by OV1kenobi

[KBKEITH]

Personally I wouldn't stake it. You can torque the castle nut to specs and just check it from time to time. Even if you did stake it, its easy to get the castle nut loose if needed.

[Joe!]

Some companies build them unstaked. I wouldn't worry about it. 

Nice hybrid. 

[JJHNSN]

Thumbs up on not worrying about it...if you have any intention of removing and replacing things...keep it unstaked, maybe some red Loktite and just use heat to remove it when the time comes. FWIW, my .02.

Edited September 10, 2017 by JJHNSN

[OV1kenobi]

1 hour ago, Joe! said:

Some companies build them unstaked. I wouldn't worry about it. 

Nice hybrid. 

Thanks!

 I rather like this configuration.

As a former U.S. Army Cavalry Scout, I have a fondness for all things A-2. 

I love the A-2 front sight and the A-2 pistol grip on the AR-15/M-16 rifle.

The A-2 pistol grip feels perfect in my hand.

Like an old, familiar friend.

 

1 hour ago, Joe! said:

Some companies build them unstaked. I wouldn't worry about it. 

Nice hybrid. 

 

[deputy tom]

I never worried about staking the castle nut or not. You can get them off again using a flat punch to move the staked metal if need be. You will have to make the decision however. Good luck. tom.

[Tomb]

Would not use red loctite, maybe a drop of blue.  You could always add a small witness mark with a marker or dab of paint to see if the nut walked, torque to spec.

[AK_Stick]

If it does come loose, you can probably twist it by hand tight enough to continue to function.

 

I have had it happen when I was switching between different stocks, trying to find the combination I liked before I staked it. Really wasn't a huge deal.

[Appalachained]

I always stake mine. It just takes a little more torque to get it back off. It's probably not necessary unless you're going to war though. 

[Rev.]

On 9/10/2017 at 4:40 PM, KBKEITH said:

Personally I wouldn't stake it. You can torque the castle nut to specs and just check it from time to time. Even if you did stake it, its easy to get the castle nut loose if needed.

This is the best answer. The nut is too easy to check to worry about.