So I acquired an AR when my father passed away. It's a Bushmaster AR-15 5.56 NATO on the barrel, it was purchased during the ban so it has no bayonet lug and the compensator on it I'm assuming is pinned. The stock was a mock extandable but I replaced that with an actual extender. What I'm looking to do with it is just replace the a2 upper with a flat top and replace the stock forend with a quad rail. My question is how much of a challenge are these two things to do? I have a pretty good mechanical ability and I'm not afriad to take my rifles apart. Also where would be a good price to shop for these items. Thanks in advance for any help.
Looking to spruce up my AR
- Thread starter deimos256
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Well, flat top uppers run in around the $100 range, depending on whether you get a stripped up or an upper that already has all of the hardware attached. The prices on the quad rails vary greatly, from very affordable (yankee hill and midwest industries) to pretty expensive (Larue Tactical and Daniel Defense). Doing the work is really easy and you can find step by step instructions on AR15.com.
What is the length of the barrel that you have now. Are you planning to keep the existing barrel? If you're present barrel has a pinned on muzzle device, that could make things a bit more difficult and limit your options. Can you snap a pic of your current setup?
What is the length of the barrel that you have now. Are you planning to keep the existing barrel? If you're present barrel has a pinned on muzzle device, that could make things a bit more difficult and limit your options. Can you snap a pic of your current setup?
nastynatesfish
Member
check out joeboboutfitters.com they always have sales. cheaperthandirt.com for from quad rail. youll need the dissasembally tool to get you barrel nut off and whatever it takes to remove the comp.
I dont have the rifle at my apartment right now, but I'm happy with the comp and the barrel at the moment so I wouldnt want to replace them unless I had to. As for an upper i would get one that already has the forward assist, dust cover etc. installed.
Coltdriver
Member
You can get the upper assembled from http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/ for a reasonable price and get top quality. You can also get a quad rail fore arm but you will have to do a bit of measuring to figure out how you want to go. There is no limit on how much you can spend but $100 should get you a good quality assembled upper.
The pinned flash hider may definitely be a problem. Talk to the folks at the BCM 800 number and they can give you the right info. You will have to demount your front sight/gas block combo. If you want the gas block under your forearm you may want to replace the gas block with a lower profile unit. this would mean leaving your front sight off and getting a rail mounted replacement. I recommend you get a clamp on gas block, not the type that is secured by set screws. Most folks don't realize how much a set screw deforms the barrel, just my not so humble opinion.
The two other things you will need are an upper block, there are two varieties, one that encases the upper and one that the upper is pinned to using the regular mounting pins. I got the kind you pin the upper to for about $45. The other piece you will need is an armorers wrench, about $30 to 35 from DPMS. You pin your upper in a vise with the upper block and use the wrench to demount and remount your barrel. And you should have a torque wrench. Some folks just eyeball it, I like a bit more precision. If you get luck and everything lines up perfect ok, but if it does not then having a torque wrench becomes important.
You can go to here http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782 for step by step instructions to see what you are getting in to.
As for how hard is it to do, well its basically easy if you have the tools. You can assemble an AR from parts in about two fairly leisurely hours. The only trouble is that it is habit forming and it is an expensive habit. After all, when you are done you will have a spare upper and a hand guard.
The pinned flash hider may definitely be a problem. Talk to the folks at the BCM 800 number and they can give you the right info. You will have to demount your front sight/gas block combo. If you want the gas block under your forearm you may want to replace the gas block with a lower profile unit. this would mean leaving your front sight off and getting a rail mounted replacement. I recommend you get a clamp on gas block, not the type that is secured by set screws. Most folks don't realize how much a set screw deforms the barrel, just my not so humble opinion.
The two other things you will need are an upper block, there are two varieties, one that encases the upper and one that the upper is pinned to using the regular mounting pins. I got the kind you pin the upper to for about $45. The other piece you will need is an armorers wrench, about $30 to 35 from DPMS. You pin your upper in a vise with the upper block and use the wrench to demount and remount your barrel. And you should have a torque wrench. Some folks just eyeball it, I like a bit more precision. If you get luck and everything lines up perfect ok, but if it does not then having a torque wrench becomes important.
You can go to here http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782 for step by step instructions to see what you are getting in to.
As for how hard is it to do, well its basically easy if you have the tools. You can assemble an AR from parts in about two fairly leisurely hours. The only trouble is that it is habit forming and it is an expensive habit. After all, when you are done you will have a spare upper and a hand guard.
chrome_austex
Member
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Check out fulton-armory for parts.
If you're mechanically inclined, and willing to invest in a tool or two and a vice block, it sounds like won't have any issues doing it yourself. Brownells has some ar15 videos which should alleviate any fears you might have: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/learn/
Its good to know how your rifle is put together.
If you're mechanically inclined, and willing to invest in a tool or two and a vice block, it sounds like won't have any issues doing it yourself. Brownells has some ar15 videos which should alleviate any fears you might have: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/learn/
Its good to know how your rifle is put together.
BADUNAME37
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- Aug 10, 2008
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- 4,434
You may need the $19.99 tool that pushes the Delta Ring with one hand while you remove the front halves of forward stock with the other hand.
Otherwise you need four men and two boys to move that Delta Ring and remove the front grip.
Been there, done that.
http://www.brownells.com/1/3/ar-15-delta-ring-removal
Otherwise you need four men and two boys to move that Delta Ring and remove the front grip.
Been there, done that.
http://www.brownells.com/1/3/ar-15-delta-ring-removal
Thanks for all the input. If I have to take the gas block off then I might as well get one without a front sight as I'd rather have rail mounted sights. Question about the compensator though, in getting it off will I be able to put it back on? If not will there be threads there to put a removable one on?
ForumSurfer
Member
Just keep that upper as is and pick up one of these:
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...ceiver-Troy-TRX-p/bcm-urg-mid-16 trx11std.htm
One day when you have a really tricked out upper just the way you want it...then you'll be out plinking one day and think to yourself, "Gee, I wish I had a regular a2 upper just for some old fashioned plinking!"
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-...ceiver-Troy-TRX-p/bcm-urg-mid-16 trx11std.htm
One day when you have a really tricked out upper just the way you want it...then you'll be out plinking one day and think to yourself, "Gee, I wish I had a regular a2 upper just for some old fashioned plinking!"
griff383
Member
^^^ what he said.
youll have fun building an upper and learn valuable information plus a little experience. Its really simple to assemble an upper but I can see where it might be intimidating the first go around. Buy the proper tools first, they will save you headache, time, and your build will be done correctly the first time, safety first. Surplus ammo and arms has a great deal on an assembled upper ($80) and JSE surplus has some really good deals on barrels, bolts, gas blocks, ect... I have ordered from them a few times and CS and prices are top notch.
As always there is a ton of experience here so keep the questions coming!
youll have fun building an upper and learn valuable information plus a little experience. Its really simple to assemble an upper but I can see where it might be intimidating the first go around. Buy the proper tools first, they will save you headache, time, and your build will be done correctly the first time, safety first. Surplus ammo and arms has a great deal on an assembled upper ($80) and JSE surplus has some really good deals on barrels, bolts, gas blocks, ect... I have ordered from them a few times and CS and prices are top notch.
As always there is a ton of experience here so keep the questions coming!
If your looking to install and free float 1 piece quadrail its going to be more time consuming then just a 2 piece handguard like a moe. Unless your going for a free float 1 piece I would really recommend the MOE handguards. They have plenty of places to mount lights grips etc if thats what your going for and you install them in about 2 mins.
Free float 1 piece quad rails are going to require more tools and more time. I don't have the tools it takes so I take mine to my local smith who charges me 50$ labor to put them on.
Free float 1 piece quad rails are going to require more tools and more time. I don't have the tools it takes so I take mine to my local smith who charges me 50$ labor to put them on.
ForumSurfer
Member
Quick and dirty free float quad rail installation:
http://www.weaponevolution.com/foru...-Industries-Rail-install-and-pictorial-review
I'm currently running these rails since I got a great deal on them. They seem sturdy and I'm satisfied.
http://www.weaponevolution.com/foru...-Industries-Rail-install-and-pictorial-review
I'm currently running these rails since I got a great deal on them. They seem sturdy and I'm satisfied.
ForumSurfer
Member
On that particular midwest industries item, yes it does. Not all 2 piece guards will, but most do. Best to ask someone before you decide on exactly which one to purchase if that is your intent.
Taking the gas block/front sight post off isn't all that complicated, anyway. It isn't like you are avoiding some complicated struggle. If you have good mechanical skills, you can handle it with a little help from youtube (the brownells videos are excellent).
Alright well if it's not hard to remove then Ill probably just get one without a front sight since I plan on getting an optic of some sort. Wow I'm quickly finding out that ARs have a snowball effect. You decide to change one thing and the next thing you know your swapping out all kinds of stuff.
ForumSurfer
Member
I would advise that you watch the online videos first. That way you'll know if it is something you feel comfortable doing or not.
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