Replacing a FSB on a Colt AR

[Billy Sparks]

Okay years ago during the ABW I bought a 20" Colt HBar. Now with the old ban gone and the possiblity of a new ban on the horizon with new White House tenents I want to add some features to the Colt. So here are the questions. Is it possible to have the current FSB removed and a new one with a bayonet lug installed? If so who has a simple FSB with a bayonet lug? I did some very superficial checking at Brownells, etc without much success. Also what about a flash supressor? What is the "best" of the many that are out there and do I need a special one because of the heavy barrel?

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

I haven't tried replacing a pinned FSB with another pinned FSB. In theory it should be pretty simple, though I would look for a Colt FSB just to minimize any differences. Also keep in mind there are two different front sight bases (F-marked designed for M4 carbine and the normal A2 FSB).

You should have standard military threads under the muzzle brake so you won't need anything special. The Vortex and Phantom are widely regarded as the two best flash hiders; but you might consider keeping the muzzle brake.

I actually owned a pre-ban rifle with a flash hider during the ban. I mostly had it because it was verboten. However, every time I shot my friend's ban era rifle with the muzzle brake, I was really impressed by the utter lack of recoil and how easy it was to run. I finally ended up switching to a muzzle brake myself - and I really like it, even if it does shoot a big ol' pumpkin sized ball of flame out of both sides.

 

[aloharover]

Changing out the FSB is very simple.
Colt uses taper pins, only come out one way.
Brownells does have FSBs. You just need to know your barrel diameter, at the FSB. Most likely .75"

Same with the suppressors. They have them. Yours should be 1/2x28 RH threads.


I have done a couple of these conversions so far, including turning the bbl for the suppressor for those bans that had nothing on them. I would not recommend threading unless you know how to run a lathe, but the rest of it is very easy for a DIYer.
Pete