Post AWB Question - Adding Bayonet Lug and Flash Hider to AR-15

[AirPower]

Things are looking up for us so in case of AWB going away forever, how easy would it be to add flash hider and bayonet lug to a postban AR? Say the stock Bushmaster XM15E2S, it will have neutered front sight, and also naked muzzle.

I assume one only needs to thread the muzzle to get the FH installed. Can it be done by hand with tap and cutter, or must it be machine turned?

The bayo lug is abit trickier from what I can tell. To make it look "right", you'd want it to be integral with front sight. That means the entire front sight has to be changed out. Is it easy as knocking out the pins, take off old block, and then install a new one? I heard the location of the pins are often different between manufacturers, maybe even different among the same model.

 

[Mulliga]

It isn't too difficult to thread a barrel, but you should send it to a good smith if you want it done right. $50 is about the bottom of what you would pay, and be careful with who does it.

As for the bayo lug, I wouldn't sweat it - first of all, many 16" barrelled rifles can't accept one (though I've heard M4 profile w/ permanently attached Phantom FS can), and second, how many times are you going to bayonet things? If you must have the bayonet, though...

Check out this thread:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=118&t=194556

 

[Harry Tuttle]

i believe most makers:
mount the front sight base
drill the pin holes through the base and the barrel
and then install the pins

if you install a new FSB
theres no easy way to align the new holes
with the previous ones through the barrel

heres one shop that charges 75 bucks:
http://www.adcofirearms.com/shopservices.cfm

buying a preban configed Bushmaster barrel
with lug and threaded end with FH is 200 bucks
http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/barrel-assemblies/abbl-20a2.asp
and you could prolly sell yer old barrel....