Firearm barrel nut and handguard mounting plate assembly

A firearm comprising:

• a receiver;
• a barrel;
• a barrel nut configured to securely fasten the barrel to the receiver, the barrel nut comprising a tubular wall extending between a proximal end and a distal end, an interior portion of the tubular wall in proximity to the proximal end defining a threaded portion configured to be operably coupled to a corresponding threaded portion of an upper receiver, an exterior portion of the tubular wall defining a polygonal shape in proximity to the distal end, the exterior portion of the tubular wall further defining a channel positioned between the proximal end and the distal end;
• a handguard;
• and
• one or more handguard mounting plates configured to operably couple the handguard to the barrel, each handguard mounting plate comprising a handguard retention portion and a barrel nut connection portion, the handguard retention portion including structure defining one or more apertures shaped and sized to enable a fastener to pass therethrough for operably coupling to a handguard, the barrel nut connection portion configured to mate with the channel of the barrel nut to create an interference fit between the barrel nut and the one or more handguard mounting plates, thereby inhibiting movement of the one or more handguard mounting plates relative to the barrel nut.