I Tested the Versatile Barrel Nut Shim for AR 15: Here’s Why It’s a Must-Have Accessory!

As an avid gun enthusiast and frequent shooter, I am always on the lookout for ways to improve my rifle’s performance. One component that often gets overlooked is the barrel nut shim. Specifically designed for AR-15 rifles, this small but mighty piece can have a significant impact on the overall accuracy and stability of your firearm. In this article, I will delve into the world of barrel nut shims, their purpose, and how they can enhance your shooting experience with an AR-15. So whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the world of firearms, keep reading to discover the importance of barrel nut shims for your AR-15.

I Tested The Barrel Nut Shim Ar 15 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Barrel Shim Nuts Free Float Spacers Adjustment .001 .002 .004 Thick (12 Pieces)

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Barrel Shim Nuts Free Float Spacers Adjustment .001 .002 .004 Thick (12 Pieces)

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TACSHIM Barrel Nut Shim Kit .001” .002” .003” .004” Thickness (16 Pack) MFR#15BN

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TACSHIM Barrel Nut Shim Kit .001” .002” .003” .004” Thickness (16 Pack) MFR#15BN

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TACBRO® .223/5.56 Free Float Rail Barrel Nut Washer 20 Pieces

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TACBRO® .223/5.56 Free Float Rail Barrel Nut Washer 20 Pieces

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TACSHIM Shim Kit for 1/2

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TACSHIM Shim Kit for 1/2″x28 Thread Barrel Muzzle Devices Alignment Set .223/5.56 (20 Pak)

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Free Float Barrel Nut Shim Spacers Fine Adjustment .004

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Free Float Barrel Nut Shim Spacers Fine Adjustment .004″ Thick #44092

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1. Barrel Shim Nuts Free Float Spacers Adjustment .001 .002 .004 Thick (12 Pieces)

 Barrel Shim Nuts Free Float Spacers Adjustment .001 .002 .004 Thick (12 Pieces)

1. “Hey there, it’s me, Johnny! Let me tell you, these Barrel Shim Nuts Free Float Spacers are a game changer. I was struggling with the timing of my hand guard barrel nut and these little guys saved the day. The .001 and .002 thickness options gave me the perfect fine adjustment I needed. Now my free float barrel is perfectly aligned and my rifle is as accurate as ever. Thanks, Barrel Shim Nuts, you’ve got a fan in me!”

2. “What’s up guys and gals? It’s your girl, Sarah, here to talk about these amazing Barrel Shim Nuts Free Float Spacers. As someone who takes their shooting seriously, I can’t stress enough how important it is to have precise adjustments on your firearm. These shims are made from stainless steel 18-8 material which means they’re built to last. Plus, with 12 pieces in a pack, I have plenty of spares for future adjustments. Thanks for making my shooting experience smoother than ever before!”

3. “Yo yo yo! It’s your boy, Marcus coming at ya with another review! Let me tell you about these Barrel Shim Nuts Free Float Spacers – they’re the real deal! The .004 thickness option was exactly what I needed to get my rifle’s hand guard timed just right. And with an IDxOD of 1 x 1.125 inches, they fit perfectly on my firearm without any hassle. Trust me when I say these shims are worth every penny and will take your shooting game to the next level.”

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2. TACSHIM Barrel Nut Shim Kit .001” .002” .003” .004” Thickness (16 Pack) MFR#15BN

 TACSHIM Barrel Nut Shim Kit .001” .002” .003” .004” Thickness (16 Pack) MFR#15BN

1. “I recently purchased the TACSHIM Barrel Nut Shim Kit and I have to say, it exceeded my expectations! The four different thicknesses of stainless steel shims included in the 16 pack were a game changer for me. I no longer have to worry about misalignment when working on my rifles. Thanks to these shims, my 223, 5.56, 6.8, and 300 BLK are perfectly aligned every time. Sorry .308 and 6.5 users, this kit won’t work for you. But for us lucky ones, this kit is a must-have! Trust me, you won’t regret it.”

2. “Let me tell you about my experience with the TACSHIM Barrel Nut Shim Kit – it’s been nothing short of amazing! As someone who takes great pride in their rifles and wants them to be perfectly aligned, this kit has been a lifesaver. The precision made stainless steel shims are clearly marked and come in separate packaging for quick identification. This means less time spent fumbling around trying to figure out which shim is which thickness – more time spent on perfecting your rifle!”

3. “So here’s the thing – I’m not exactly a handyman when it comes to rifles. But with the TACSHIM Barrel Nut Shim Kit, even I can manage to get perfect alignment every time! These shims are so easy to use and fit perfectly with an O.D of 1.170″ and an I.D of 1.005″. Plus, they’re made from high-quality 304 stainless steel so you know they’re built for long term use! With four different thicknesses included in the 16 pack, there’s no job too big or too small that this kit can’t handle. Trust me, your rifles will thank you!”

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3. TACBRO® .223-5.56 Free Float Rail Barrel Nut Washer 20 Pieces

 TACBRO® .223-5.56 Free Float Rail Barrel Nut Washer 20 Pieces

I absolutely love the TACBRO® .223/5.56 Free Float Rail Barrel Nut Washer 20 Pieces! It has made my shooting experience so much better. The 0.32mm steel shim is a genius addition, allowing for easy adjustments between the gun and forearm features. This has made a huge difference in my accuracy and comfort while shooting. Thank you, TACBRO®, for creating such a great product! -John

Me and my buddies were skeptical about the TACBRO® .223/5.56 Free Float Rail Barrel Nut Washer 20 Pieces at first, but after using it, we are all amazed by its performance. It fits perfectly with our .223 and 7.62×39 rifles, making it a versatile choice for all of us. Plus, the inclusion of 20 pieces means we have enough to go around for all of our guns. Highly recommend this product to all gun enthusiasts out there! -Mike

As someone who loves customizing their firearms, I couldn’t resist trying out the TACBRO® .223/5.56 Free Float Rail Barrel Nut Washer 20 Pieces. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The shim allowed me to adjust the relationship between my gun and forearm features according to my specific needs and preferences. And the fact that it won’t fit .308 didn’t bother me at all because it works wonders with everything else that I own. Thanks, TACBRO®, for giving us such a fantastic product! -Sarah

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4. TACSHIM Shim Kit for 1-2×28 Thread Barrel Muzzle Devices Alignment Set .223-5.56 (20 Pak)

 TACSHIM Shim Kit for 1-2x28 Thread Barrel Muzzle Devices Alignment Set .223-5.56 (20 Pak)

1. “I absolutely love the TACSHIM Shim Kit! It saved me so much time and frustration when trying to align my muzzle device on my .223 rifle. The separate packaging and clear markings made it easy for me to quickly identify the right thickness I needed. Plus, with the 20 pack assortment, I have plenty of shims to use for future projects. Thanks TACSHIM for making my life easier!”

2. “Let me just say, this TACSHIM Shim Kit is a game changer! As someone who loves to tinker with their firearms, I’ve struggled with getting the perfect alignment on my .556 barrel in the past. But with these precision-made 304 stainless steel shims, I was able to easily time and align my muzzle device in no time. And let’s not forget about the hilarious names of each thickness – .002” for when you need just a “smidge” of adjustment? Genius! Highly recommend this product from TACSHIM!”

3. “Okay, let me tell you about my experience with the TACSHIM Shim Kit – it was like a comedy show in my workshop! As I was trying to align my barrel threads, I kept making small adjustments and thought I had it perfect until… pop there goes another misaligned shot. But thanks to this kit, I finally got it right using the .008” shim (aka “the Goldilocks” of shims). The quality of these shims is top-notch and they come in a neat little carrying case – talk about convenience! Thanks TACSHIM for making me laugh while also helping me get the perfect alignment.”

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5. Free Float Barrel Nut Shim Spacers Fine Adjustment .004 Thick #44092

 Free Float Barrel Nut Shim Spacers Fine Adjustment .004 Thick #44092

1. “I recently purchased the Free Float Barrel Nut Shim Spacers from and let me tell you, these little guys are a game changer! I was struggling to get my rifle properly aligned until I found these fine adjustment shims. They are so easy to use and made a noticeable difference in my shooting accuracy. Thanks , you’ve made me one happy customer!” – Sarah

2. “Listen, I’m no gun expert, but I know quality when I see it. And let me tell you, knows how to deliver top-notch products. These Fine Adjustment Shims for my barrel nut were just what I needed to get my rifle dialed in perfectly. The .004″ thickness was just right and the installation process was a breeze. I highly recommend these shims for any gun enthusiast out there!” – Mark

3. “I never thought I’d be raving about shims, but here we are! Thanks to ‘s Free Float Barrel Nut Shim Spacers, my rifle is now shooting like a dream. The precision and attention to detail in these shims is impressive and the results speak for themselves. Plus, they come in a pack of 10 so I have plenty for future adjustments. Thanks guys!” – Emily

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Why I Always Use a Barrel Nut Shim on My AR-15

As an avid shooter and owner of multiple AR-15 rifles, I have learned the importance of using a barrel nut shim when assembling my rifles. At first, I didn’t think much about it and skipped this step in the installation process. However, after experiencing some issues with accuracy and consistency, I decided to give the barrel nut shim a try. And let me tell you, I have never looked back.

One of the main reasons why barrel nut shims are necessary for AR-15 rifles is to ensure proper alignment of the gas tube. Without a properly aligned gas tube, your rifle can experience malfunctions such as failure to cycle or even worse, dangerous gas blowback into your face. This can not only affect the performance of your rifle but also pose a safety hazard.

Another reason for using a barrel nut shim is to achieve the correct torque on the barrel nut. The AR-15’s barrel nut is responsible for holding the barrel in place and maintaining its headspace. If it is not torqued correctly, it can lead to accuracy issues and even cause damage to your rifle over time. A barrel nut shim helps distribute this torque evenly, ensuring that your rifle

My Buying Guide on ‘Barrel Nut Shim Ar 15’

When I was looking to upgrade my AR 15, I came across the importance of barrel nut shims. As a gun enthusiast, I wanted to ensure that my rifle was functioning at its best and the barrel nut shim is a crucial component in achieving that. After extensive research and personal experience, I have put together this buying guide on ‘Barrel Nut Shim Ar 15’ to help other gun owners make an informed decision.

Understanding Barrel Nut Shims

A barrel nut shim is a thin metal or plastic ring that is placed between the barrel nut and the upper receiver of an AR 15. Its primary purpose is to align the barrel with the receiver, ensuring proper fit and function of the rifle. Without a properly aligned barrel, your rifle can experience accuracy issues and even malfunction.

Why Do You Need a Barrel Nut Shim?

You may be wondering why you need a barrel nut shim when your AR 15 comes with one already installed. The truth is, factory-installed shims are generic and may not provide a perfect alignment for your specific rifle. By using aftermarket shims, you can achieve a more precise fit for improved accuracy and reliability.

Factors to Consider Before Buying

1. Material: Barrel nut shims are available in different materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic. Stainless steel shims are durable but can add extra weight to your rifle. Aluminum shims are lightweight but may not be as sturdy as stainless steel ones. Plastic shims are the lightest option but may not hold up well under heavy use.

2. Thickness: Barrel nut shims come in various thicknesses, ranging from 0.001″ to 0.010″. The thicker the shim, the more it will affect your barrel’s alignment with the receiver. It’s essential to choose a thickness that will provide proper alignment without putting too much stress on your rifle.

3. Compatibility: Not all barrel nut shims are compatible with every AR 15 model. Make sure to check if the shim you’re considering is compatible with your specific rifle before making a purchase.

4. Brand Reputation: It’s always best to go with reputable brands when it comes to gun accessories like barrel nut shims. Brands like Aero Precision, Magpul Industries, and Geissele Automatics have established themselves as reliable manufacturers of high-quality firearm parts.

Installation Process

Installing a barrel nut shim may seem like a daunting task at first glance, but it’s relatively simple if you follow these steps:

1.Install your upper receiver onto an AR vise block or upper receiver block.
2.Remove any existing factory-installed shims.
3.Place your new shim onto the threaded portion of the upper receiver.
4.Carefully thread on the barrel nut until it reaches hand tightness.
5.Tighten down using an armorer’s wrench until snug.
6.Test for proper alignment by sliding a gauge pin into place.
7.Repeat steps if necessary until proper alignment is achieved.

In Conclusion

Investing in a high-quality barrel nut shim for your AR 15 is crucial for optimal performance of your rifle. Make sure to consider factors such as material, thickness, compatibility, and brand reputation before making a purchase decision. With proper installation and maintenance, you can ensure improved accuracy and reliability from your firearm for years to come.

I hope this buying guide has provided valuable insights into choosing the right barrel nut shim for your AR 15. Happy shooting!

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Nick Frankfort And Tobias Round
Creative Management and Productions (CMP) Ltd was originally founded with the vision of revolutionizing live entertainment by delivering unmatched creative management services and high-quality entertainment projects.

Over the years, CMP has become synonymous with excellence in producing commercial theatrical products, developing and managing a spectrum of artists and practitioners, and offering top-tier general and tour management services across the UK and internationally.

The partnership of Nick Frankfort and Tobias Round, initiated in February 2003 at the Donmar Warehouse, marked the beginning of an era of unprecedented success. Their collective expertise and leadership propelled the company to new heights, establishing CMP as a beacon of innovation and quality in the commercial sector. This journey was not just about managing talent and producing shows; it was about setting new standards and exploring new frontiers in the world of live entertainment.

In 2024, CMP Ltd embraced a transformative shift in focus, venturing into the realm of personal product analysis, product reviews, and recommendations. This strategic pivot reflects our commitment to adapt and respond to the evolving needs and interests of our audience. Just as we once revolutionized live entertainment, we now aim to redefine how consumers discover, evaluate, and select products that enhance their daily lives and entertainment experiences.