Scott G Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 How hard is it to build an AR upper? It seems like it is more of an assembly issue than a building/fitting/customizing one. Are there any little nuances involved, or it is really as simple as torquing in a barrel, getting the gas ports lined up, and putting on a hand guard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zak Smith Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 That's pretty much it. Get the gas tube holes lined up, gas ports lined up, check the headspace, and you're good to go. I think AR15.com has step-by-step instructions. -z Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Sweeney Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 It's just that simple....until it isn't. And then it can drive you to drink. As long as you don't go cutting, soldering or drilling anything, there isn't a lot you can do wrong, and what you can do wrong with your bare hands and a wrench or two can be fixed by someone who'se been there before and has the right tool. (And maybe a few spare parts.) Give it a try, tell us what happened, and post photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted October 11, 2004 Share Posted October 11, 2004 OK, what's the recommended vise/block for working on the upper? What type of wrench should I buy? Is there a wrench out there that's compatible with a 3/8" drive torque wrench? (I want a threaded barrel on my upper, but figure it's going to be about as cheap and easy to swap barrels myself than wait 6-8 mos to get it through the gunsmith.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott G Posted October 12, 2004 Author Share Posted October 12, 2004 Eric, That's what I'm going to do as well. I want to rebarrel, recomp (Benny Hill), and put a FF tube on my Bushmaster. Who is the best source for a light 18 or 20 inch barrel? I couldn't find anything obvious on the DPMS website, and I'm trying to find a less costly alternative to the JP barrels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zak Smith Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 The Brownells vice blocks work good. I believe most of the combo barrel nut wrenches have a square hole for a socket. You pretty much have to use a long torque wrench as a cheater. Here's pictures of building one: http://apollo.demigod.org/~zak/DigiCam/AR1...per-assembly-1/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 BTW, the free float tube I was given (by my dear Uncle Bill) already is drilled for a bipod stud. Does anyone sell the shims that I may need in order to get the hole oriented in the proper direction? (I haven't ever seen such a thing, but was told they exist.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 Who is the best source for a light 18 or 20 inch barrel? I couldn't find anything obvious on the DPMS website, and I'm trying to find a less costly alternative to the JP barrels. Look at Oly: http://www.olyarms.com/bblret.html Their bbls have a very good rep now and the price seems fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 Check Gunbroker.Com for the receiver block. Cheapest I have seen. Or I have one I could loan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhgtyre Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 That is a pretty good deal on a block. They run $6 more at Brownells. BTW building an upper couldn't be too hard. I did it and the gun even worked when I was finished! -ld Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Sweeney Posted October 12, 2004 Share Posted October 12, 2004 Get the action blocks from Brownells, and if they have them, the barrel nut wrench from American Spirit Arms. Don't bother with a torque wrench, you aren't going to tightne it to a certain weight, you're going to tighten it until the barrel nut notches line up with the gas tube hole. When I took a tour of Armalite, the assemblers were using three foot pipes on the barrel nut wrenches, and the tightening was very easy to accomplish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now