I installed the Zahal.org / FAB Defense polymer rifle upgrade combo kit ~ $ 190.00 last night.
Thoughts and impressions: It looks great but getting there was a battle. The products arrived nicely packaged with NO INSTRUCTIONS. I went to Zahal's and FAB's websites, plenty o' photos but no instructions. I searched the Internet and there are a few other owners with the kits already on but nobody really speaks to what it takes to outfit the gun and convert it to tacticool...
So I approached the situation blind, BAD IDEA !
5 hours later and a few knicked up finders and knuckles it was complete.
NOTES: On the sporter stock, drop the pistol grip screw first and then when unscrewing the interior receiver nut which holds the stock in place turn RIGHT to unscrew. (Reverse threaded).
On the lower handguard, I looked like a Monkey trying to woo a football, how is one supposed to beat the heck out of a small little pin without knicking/gashing/mauling the receiver and stock???? I finally wrapped the gun in a shirt and placed it in a vice and cinched down on it with the base of the receiver butted up against the table with cushioning under that. Had to go for the handheld sledge after numerous attempts with just a hammer. Used a stubby phillips screwdriver and FINALLY the pin released !!! As I read and read and read on the Internet someone out there stated that it doesn't matter which side you move the pin to even though it looks like one end has a flanged head. Just keep trying.
Next was separating the Sporter upper handguard from the metallic piston cover. Where is that football....? Oh my goodness did I feel like a supreme **** when I finally figured this one out. Again no instructions on the manufactures website and no Internet guides from other owners. So I pryed and pryed and pryed on that Sporter handguard section, I even miraculously got the middle holder out but couldn't get the two to separate. I was desperate at this point and pissed, and in my frustration I began twisting the part (in a wringing motion) and guess what, that thing turns 180 degrees in place and drops right out. HOLY $#%* .
So I replace the handguards, install the cheapo red-dot. Get to the recoil buffer and again come to the conclusion that someone at this point, someone of a higher order, is just wanting to have some fun at my expense.... They package an allen wrench with the recoil buffer tube and eventually I discovered the secret access point under the recoil tube in which you slide the end way up in there to disengage the middle bolt from the counter-threaded outer bolt.
Lastly the buttstock will only go so far onto the back end of the buffer tube before it stops dead in its tracks and won't go any further. Once again it is time to play with the football. I tried and tried to get that tube in there but it wouldnt budge. Well the secret is that when it stops you must then pull out manually on the bolt on the exterior of the butt stock to further removed the retaining bolt to allow for passage.
DONE.
I guess by now you have figured out that I have NEVER converted a gun before, nor do I have a large overhead of creativity.... But if I can do this then I am sure anyone can. Here are the final results.
BEFORE:
BEFORE: parts exploded out for viewing (all stock)
AFTER: parts exploded out for viewing (Kit)
AFTER: Assembled whole
AFTER: Front handguards / rail system
AFTER: Buttstock and recoil tube