Kenneth Lew
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Thanks.
Kenneth Lew
Kenneth Lew
How hard is it to change out a barrel on an AR-15 upper?
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Wildalaska
member
Real easy. Ya need a vise or action block and a barrell wrench..if ya cant find someone to do it, send it to me Ill do it for ya
WildalmostflashidertimeAlaska
WildalmostflashidertimeAlaska
DMK
Member
Simple
It's even easier than assembling a lower except you need three special tools.
It's just a matter of removing the hanguards, removing the gas tube, unscrewing the barrel nut and removing the barrel. New barrel goes in, torque to just 30 ft lbs, put in the gas tube and snap the handguards back on. As Wildalaska said, you need a barrel wrench, a torque wrench and an upper receiver block to hold the receiver in a vice without damaging it.
A gas tube wrench would be very helpful also, but you can use a vise grips if you are very careful and clean up any burrs in the gas tube hole of your new barrel assembly before installing it.
It's even easier than assembling a lower except you need three special tools.
It's just a matter of removing the hanguards, removing the gas tube, unscrewing the barrel nut and removing the barrel. New barrel goes in, torque to just 30 ft lbs, put in the gas tube and snap the handguards back on. As Wildalaska said, you need a barrel wrench, a torque wrench and an upper receiver block to hold the receiver in a vice without damaging it.
A gas tube wrench would be very helpful also, but you can use a vise grips if you are very careful and clean up any burrs in the gas tube hole of your new barrel assembly before installing it.
hube1236
Member
You dummies forgot the most important tool. An ice cold beer.
Really I get sh($( from friends because I shoot gasp russian ammo through my AR. I built the gun up from a receiver last summer. It was so painfully easy, that I swore I would never spend $170 for a case of Wincester when a case of Barnaul costs 100.
I have over 1500 rounds through the new set up with no cleaning. I spray some CLP on the bolt action and go to work. I shoot mainly tac rifle matches so its only 200 rounds a day, but they are fired in up to four stages, that's a lot of acute demand. Cheap ammo = mosey for new parts if they ever break. It is so easy to install new parts./
Really I get sh($( from friends because I shoot gasp russian ammo through my AR. I built the gun up from a receiver last summer. It was so painfully easy, that I swore I would never spend $170 for a case of Wincester when a case of Barnaul costs 100.
I have over 1500 rounds through the new set up with no cleaning. I spray some CLP on the bolt action and go to work. I shoot mainly tac rifle matches so its only 200 rounds a day, but they are fired in up to four stages, that's a lot of acute demand. Cheap ammo = mosey for new parts if they ever break. It is so easy to install new parts./
Chris Rhines
Member
Headspace isn't an issue unless you plan on assembling the barrel to the barrel extension.
- Chris
- Chris
DMK
Member
With the AR, the headspace is set by a collar(barrel extension) attached to the barrel. Headspace is set when the barrel is made and is not adjustable.
The specs on the bolt head and locking lugs are such that as long as you buy a new barrel and new bolt from quality manufacturers, the headspace will be OK. If you use worn or low quality parts, all bets are off.
Of course, headspace gauges are cheap insurance. All you really need for assembling a new rifle is the no-go gauge. If the no-go gauge chambers with new parts, then something is wrong with your barrel or bolt head and one or both will need to be replaced by the manufacturer.
The field gauge is for checking rifles that have a lot of wear on them to see if they are safe to fire.
Kenneth Lew
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I'll just change out the upper to a 11 inch one since this is for a full auto M16. I burned out the last barrel doing 15 mag dumps.
Kenneth Lew
Kenneth Lew
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I wouldn't use vise grips for the gas tube. I've always been able to do it by hand.
As for a barrel vise, measure the outside diameter of the barrel and drill a piece of oak (or other hardwood) to match. Saw in half on a bandsaw & instant barrel vise.
You do need the barrel wrench though to loosen & barrel nut. The pliers to compress the circlip spring is good to have too.
It's not hard at all. Go for it!
As for a barrel vise, measure the outside diameter of the barrel and drill a piece of oak (or other hardwood) to match. Saw in half on a bandsaw & instant barrel vise.
You do need the barrel wrench though to loosen & barrel nut. The pliers to compress the circlip spring is good to have too.
It's not hard at all. Go for it!
Last edited:
Wildalaska
member
4v50 we actually just use a vise with lead inserts...
WildbecasueothertoolshavelegsAlaska
WildbecasueothertoolshavelegsAlaska
JNewell
Member
It is very straightforward. The only "tool" I don't see listed here is the TM that covers the AR-15. You can download that here: http://www.biggerhammer.net/manuals/
Okay, for the most part everything here will get the job done. However, I always check headspace, and yes, it can be adjusted on am M16. For the most part it never needs to be. But with the large number of different manufacturers of parts, and the extremes of tolerence, it is not unlikely that sooner or later you will run across a gun that needs to be adjusted.
Bob Dunlap (who used to run the Gunsmithing course at Lassen College) and I had a long talk about this a couple of SHOT Shows back. I use the question of adjusting headspace on the AR type rifle as one of the ways I judge a gunsmith. If they can't answer, they don't get to touch my guns.
It does require special tools though. I have one in storage somewhere based on a design Bob worked out. I've never seen one for sale though.
Bob Dunlap (who used to run the Gunsmithing course at Lassen College) and I had a long talk about this a couple of SHOT Shows back. I use the question of adjusting headspace on the AR type rifle as one of the ways I judge a gunsmith. If they can't answer, they don't get to touch my guns.
It does require special tools though. I have one in storage somewhere based on a design Bob worked out. I've never seen one for sale though.
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