Re-staking a castle nut?

[CWLFTMFW]

I've got an LMT with a staked castle nut and i'm trying to put a new sling setup on the rifle, and hence must remove that end-plate-thing (sorry for the slack term) that the castle nut is staked with. When i get through with putting the new end-plate-thing on (with the attach point for the sling) can i restake the castle nut or is that oppurtunity lost? I imagine that it is probably a function of the new end-plate-thing but since I'm definitely not an armorer I figured i would ask you guys.

Also, to un-stake the nut should I just take it to one of the gun shops or grab something that will do the job (no punches at the house) and go at it? If i can re-stake it i imagine that will have to be the work of a gunshop/smith so if that's the case then i'll just take the rifle up there and let them have it. Thanks for any info!

 

[BCurry1]

Yes you can restake the castle nut. Go to lowes and buy a spring-loaded punch. I used this to restake mine after installing the ASAP plate. Works great.

 

[grwd]

anything will work, from the corner of a small cold chisel to a sharpened nail.

 

[Josh-L]

Maybe your terminology is just throwing me off but I stake the plate not the actual castle nut. So you technically shouldn't be re-staking anything if you are replacing the plate with a new one. It will be a new stake job. I think that's what you meant but just wanted to clarify.

 

[CWLFTMFW]

Maybe your terminology is just throwing me off but I stake the plate not the actual castle nut. So you technically shouldn't be re-staking anything if you are replacing the plate with a new one. It will be a new stake job. I think that's what you meant but just wanted to clarify.

Joshell, (sorry, had to play with the name) you're right. It is a new stake job. Upon looking closer i realized that it's a simple matter of punching close to that edge to get the new, hopefully, ASAP plate staked. I more/less needed to know if i can undo that original staking myself. Which it seems i can. Thanks again for the continued input. Got a question, and feel free to reply via pm, but do you do "work" on ARs? I've got some ideas i want to hit on. Thanks again.

 

[DrBaker]

Josh works on and supplies quality parts for AR's. Now if I could only get him to respond to his PMs.

 

[264Magnum]

Joshell

HAHAHA!!!! I think he's got a new nickname.

 

[CWLFTMFW]

Got that thing off and replaced the plate tonight, finally. I un-did the staking in the original plate but there was still some edge/lip at one of the channels so I ended up just over-powering it and moving it past; see also: rubber mallet and ar15 tool. Now it's time to re-stake it. What size punch are you guys using or what other methods do you have of securing this thing?

 

[J.P.]

What size punch are you guys using or what other methods do you have of securing this thing?

Answer:
What ever will push enough material to do the job.

 

[CWLFTMFW]

Answer:
What ever will push enough material to do the job.

Well, I guess that is true...