I just saw this… I like the clamshells and the mag block. That wrench is the same thing that I broke. For $21 though, buy it and just go ahead with the understanding that it’s fine for everything except the barrel nut. You need a better piece of chinesium for that task.
I just found out that the barrel nut comes with the hand guard. Better get that 1st.I just saw this… I like the clamshells and the mag block. That wrench is the same thing that I broke. For $21 though, buy it and just go ahead with the understanding that it’s fine for everything except the barrel nut. You need a better piece of chinesium for that task.
Some hand guards use special wrenches. Most don’t though. Just read the details before sending up any smoke signals with credit card info.I just found out that the barrel nut comes with the hand guard. Better get that 1st.
i’m just going to get a cheapo Bear Creek Handgaurd. I bought a ton of their uppers and the work.Some hand guards use special wrenches. Most don’t though. Just read the details before sending up any smoke signals with credit card info.
Bear creek supposedly uses cheap Chinese handguards. I have used a few from justrails.com and they work, are super cheap, and are surprisingly good for the money. I would lean that way if I were gonna go cheap. Just trying to give you options. The last time I ordered I got stuff I couldn’t find anywhere else. It’s extruded aluminum that’s machined decently enough.i’m just going to get a cheapo Bear Creek Handgaurd. I bought a ton of their uppers and the work.
The sail on the MI URR and others, of similar design, take the torque off the index pin. Clamshells work too, but I prefer my MI Rod over the Delta clamshell I also own. As stated above, it also verifies the barrel extension is aligned properly.
The original G-RR is the one famous for breaking index pins.
What barrel are you going with? I'd suggest buying a barrel that has the gas block already pinned on, or at the very least, only buy a barrel that's dimpled if you plan on installing the hassle block your. The main gotcha failure point in putting together an upper is a misaligned gas block, and having a barrel that's dimpled or already has the gas block installed/pinned for your first upper build will make thinks simpler.I just found out that the barrel nut comes with the hand guard. Better get that 1st.
Agree....honestly, putting together an upper is extremely easy compared to the lower IMHO. The biggest PITA is installing the ejection port cover IMHO. Installing the barrel, gas tube, handgaurds, muzzle device, bolt, and charging hand is easy. My point is, it's not going to be as complicated as it may appear based on all the information and personal suggestions in the thread.
I only ever assembled PSA lowers from kits for years, and purchased complete uppers because I was intimidated. I was surprised with how simple it was when I finally decided to assembled my first upper.
Same here. Learned quickly to not let small springs and pins fly off.I have done 5-7 lower and learned ticks on not letting them fly out everywhereYou might want a detent spring tool and spare detents and springs. I am sure I have spares in some corner of my shop that I will never find.
were is the dimple? one barrel has just a hole, the other has a hole and on the opposite side a “dimple”I doubt for $59 that the barrel is dimpled for the gas block set screw.
Dimple jigs are about $35, I have a couple of different sizes now.
Rockset for the gas block set screws with a dimple is pretty solid.
What if i just put the barrel in a drill press? and make a dimpleSome barrels will come with the barrel dimpled.
All you need is one for alignment, I don't use more than one.
I have KVP ones.
Only takes a few minutes to set up and do.KVP .750 AR-15 Gas Block Dimpling Jig - Kaw Valley Precision
Our 6-position dimpling jig is designed to allow you to easily dimple your own barrel. The 6 different, laser-marked spacing sets allow for a variety of gas block applications. The jig will fit perfectly in any bench vise to allow easy dimpling. Spacing is to the center of the 5/32" drill guide...kawvalleyprecision.com
My PSA 14.7" P&W upper didn't have a dimple which bugged me since I couldn't just pop off the gas block.
I wound up using the gas block as a jig after making sure the gas port was centered with a borescope.
You can, after you use a jig to center it over the gas port.What if i just put the barrel in a drill press? and make a dimple
This is not a cheap project! Before the 2016 election I bought so much random complete build kits, barrels, lowers, part Kits.. I guess it’s finally time to Lego them togetherYou can, after you use a jig to center it over the gas port.
The rear screw locates the gas block to the gas port.
A hand drill is all you need though, doesn't take much pressure to make a dimple just deep enough for the tip of the set screw.
Too deep may put a pimple in the bore when the screw is tightened.
I use serrated set screws with Rockset.