The yellow grips pulled off when I pulled the pliers out of the plastic bag. Glued them back on with some super glue. The castle nut on the Polytech M14 was very tight, but these did the job (I knew to back out the set screw--don't forget the set screw).

Had no issue whatsoever. Just use it smartly and it will do the job just fine.

need more grip to break the nut at the end of the M1A barrel. I am still trying to get it off.

This is the exact tool you need to remove the M1A/M14/M305 flash hider. The "teeth" showed no sign of shearing, which seems to be a problem with the cheaper version of this tool.



The castle nut on my Norinco was stuck so tight I thought it might be welded. At first I used enough force with these that I felt them start to bend slightly while the nut wouldn't budge. At that point I backed off and re-evaluated.



The method that worked for me (after some research) was to soak the area in WD-40, wait an hour, and then hit it with a heat gun for about two minutes. After that, these pliers took the nut right off with only moderate torque.



Just remember, this tool isn't invincible, and the torque you are able to apply can ruin it if the nut is stuck. Like a lot of things in the world of amateur gunsmithing, though, if it seems like you have to use extreme force, there is probably a better way.

These castle nut pliers worked fine for me. just remember to soak nut area with penetrating lube the night before. most important thing is to remember to remove the castle nut set screw. i forgot and broke 1st pair. followed the above directions and and came loose with little effort. would/did buy again.

broke with little to no pressure, like another review I TIG welded it back together, weld is good, but the whole thing bent and started coming apart in another spot.

I ordered these knowing it's the only real way to take off the castle nut. I used light pressure and the tab sheared like it was made out of soft Aluminum!! I kid you not these are the worst pliers for quality I have EVER used. save your money. You'd be better off to buy another castle nut and just use a punch to take it on and off. I can't believe Brownells puts their name on these. Total waste of money.

I read the other reviews and thought "hey, how bad could they be?" Awful. Truly useless. I put them on the castle nut, starting turning it with a little muscle and one of the prongs snapped right off. Absolutely worthless, even at $15.

This tool falls under the "just enough to get the job done" category. The castle nut on my M1A was TIGHT, after using the pliers on a couple of unsuccesful attempts I noticed the teeth bending so I utilized some KROIL and let her soak. That did the trick. This is probably a one or two time use tool before you will need another.

Have to epocy the grips on teh tool but the jaws fit nice and turn the castle nut on the M1A no problem, (after you remove the set screw which I did not, I snapped the set screw with these pliers and they still maintained shape in the jaw nubs. Ordered some USGI from a online dealer but hard to find will come back and compare when I get them, but I wouyld recommend these.

I let my suppressor soak in some oil overnight. But it all came out ok. I watched a bunch of videos online to get some tips.

I put a little heat on it before I loosened the castle nut, just for good measure. Nothing too hot to touch.

Turned out good. It was on there tight! I'll put it this way- It wasnt about to fall off anytime soon!!

USED THE PLIERS TO REPLACE THE FLASH SUPPRESSOR ON A POLLY-TECH M14S...ONLY PROBLEM I HAD WAS THE GRIP COVER LOOSENED UP, A LITTLE GORRILLA GLUE FIXED THAT...THE WAY I WAS TAUGHT BACK IN THE 70'S ON HOW TO REMOVE FLASH SUPPRESSORS WAS TO REMOVE THE SET SCREW, TAP THE FLASH ADPTR BACK TOWARDS THE RCVR A FEW TIMES TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE OFF THE CASTLENUT, USE A PUNCH AND LOOSEN THE CASTLENUT, AND THEN USE THE PLIERS TO BACK THE NUT OFF 1 1/2 TURNS, AND THEN BEGIN TAPPING THE FLASH SUPPRESSOR UP TO THE NUT AND USE THE PLIERS AGAIN REPEATING THE PROCESS UNTIL COMPLETED...I THINK THE KEY WORD IS THAT THESE ARE PLIERS, NOT A WRENCH...AND FOR [$] YOU CAN'T GET MUCH BETTER...NORMALLY I JUST USE THEM TO INSTALL THE CASLE NUT, BECAUSE IF I'M CHANGING THE FLASH SUPPRESOR I'M GOING TO PAY THE $7 FOR A NEW CASLE NUT AND SET SCREW.

Don't confuse this Brownells product with the other tool (M&A Parts) also sold by Brownells. This product is quality. I made the mistake of ordering the other tool first. Big mistake. M&A tool is $#%)@.
This is a first quality Brownells Product.

Broke/Bent on the first use. Made of mild steel and easily bend with only light presure.
Not up to the quality that I expect and that Brownells usually provides. The nose of pliers deformed and the tips broke off. Even light pressure would bend them and I was able to squeeze (bend) the handles closed. Don't waste your money on these.

These broke the first time I used them. Cheap metal, probably made in [*]. I cannot believe brownells puts their name on these. Buyer beware. I should have believed the reviews, so you should learn from my mistake and do not buy!

The first time I used them they worked well, the second time the tip broke off. Ordering another pair though because I need a pair & I doubt there are any out there made to last.

I bought these to remove the castle nut on my M1A, so I could install an EBR stock,AFTER breaking the tip off of a buddy's pliers. His set was also from Brownell's, but I figured they were old and possibly a little weak from years of use. My new pair arrived and bent completely out of shape immediately as well as cracked the tips! (yes I removed set screw) And, the nut is still too tight to budge! Will buy another pair when I find some that aren't made of cheap pot metal!!

This tool worked great. Met and exceeded my expectations. Very easy and comfortable to use and would recommend this tool to others. A must have if removing a flash hider or brake.

it broke the first time i used it.. then i welded it with my tig welder and my welds did not brake the pliers just bent... I'm sure they would work well on castle nuts that weren't tight but I've never taken one off that wasn't!

Broke the very first time I used it with only hand pressure and I have arthritis! [...]

I have taken castle nuts on and off ever since my first M14. This is a reasonable price for a tool that just makes your life easy. After your third or fourth time, you wish you had bought this the first time. High Quality simple tool.

This tool is need for disassemble of the M1A1. Worked great. Ok quality