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This item was needed and it fit the bill perfectly. Well made.
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Color:
Black
Fabric/Material:
Steel
Gun Make:
AR Platform
Gun Model:
AR-10, AR-15

Code: 6QG-PCH-FCDN224-CNP-CASLTE-NUT-PUNCH

MPN: CNP (Caslte Nut Punch)

UPC: 795847525013

List: $17.00
$16.99
Purchase Restrictions Purchase Restrictions

Product Info for Forward Controls Design Castle Nut Punch

CNP (Castle Nut Punch) is a dedicated castle nut staking punch, while it can do double duty as a golf tee or Van Helsing's EDC, it was designed for a singular purpose, that is to displace material from an AR15/M16 end plate into the castle nut's staking notches.image

Machined from D2 steel, heat treated and finished in black oxide, CNP has a broad / flared top to provide a stable striking surface. It also has widely spaced and aggressive serrations to ensure the user's hands, gloved or ungloved, will not lose their grip.

CNP was originally designed to have a rectangular tip, it was subsequently abandoned, and we went to a round tip. A rectangular tip can be very unforgiving of tip placement, and the sharp edge and corners of a rectangular tip can be rapidly and more easily deformed and most importantly, we don't see any advantage of a square stake over a round stake a conventional punch produces. Given the host of problems a rectangular tip has and what it brings to the table (nothing), it was an easy decision to redesign CNP to have a round tip.

Forward Controls Design produced a handful of candidate tips with different sharpness and angles, and decided on 52.5 degrees angle with a sharp tip. Each prototype was tested for ease of use, and effectiveness of the angle and sharpness. The design also changed from a rather long and larger diameter body to one with a shorter length smaller diameter. With the original design, we believed the larger contact area would obviate the need for serrations. Since the redesign now has a smaller diameter, serrations were added to provide positive grip on the CNP.

Progression of the CNP. Left to right (left 5 samples): original design with longer length and larger diameter, heat treated new design with shorter length and small diameter (dark brown in color prior to coating), and production candidate with shorter length, small diameter and serrations.

NOTE:

CNP is an instrument, it should be maintained, i.e. oiled now and then.

Know your end plates. Forward Controls Design advises that you find out how your end plate is treated. TDP spec end plate is made in 1018 or 1020 low carbon steel, and for good reasons. Nitrided end plates are very difficult to stake, we avoid nitrided end plates when possible, it's exceedingly and unnecessarily hard, and may blunt the punch's tip prematurely.

If you're not familiar with staking castle nuts, please consult or bring it to a qualified gunsmith. If you ugga dugga and wield the mallet like Thor, you can risk punching through the end plate and damaging your receiver extension. We are not responsible for the consequences resulting from misusing and/or abusing of tools.

WARNING: California`s Proposition 65

Specifications for Forward Controls Design Castle Nut Punch:

Manufacturer: Forward Controls Design
Color: Black
Finish: Heat Treat
Fabric/Material: Steel
Gun Make: AR Platform
Gun Model: AR-10, AR-15

Features of Forward Controls Design Castle Nut Punch

  • Flared top for consistent force
  • Round tip aids in the staking process
  • Simplifies castle nut staking

Package Contents:

  • Forward Controls Design Castle Nut Punch

Forward Controls Design Castle Nut Punch Orderable Models

List of Orderable Models

  • Forward Controls Design Castle Nut Punch, Black, CNP, Caslte Nut Punch , MPN: CNP (Caslte Nut Punch) , UPC: 795847525013 , Code: 6QG-PCH-FCDN224-CNP-CASLTE-NUT-PUNCH
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Last updated 2026-08-02 UTC.