All purpose "Help me build my AR" thread.

[nimdabew]

I've got my lower in the mail and will be picking up a lower shortly. However, I've realized that I don't have that little wrench for putting the nut on the buffer tube.

Is there a way to put it on without the special wrench that I'll probably never need again? Or do I just need to bite the bullet and order one?

It's best to suck it up and get one. I'd say it's better to get specific tools for each part than one of the "all in one" tools. They tend to be good enough at everything instead of being great at what you want.

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/d ... duct_id=53

I have one of those and it works fan-fucking-tastic. The only gripe that I have about that wrench: If you are using a magpul ASAP plate, it will not lock up on all three notches, only two and you risk stripping the castle nut. I, luckly, didn't strip mine, but it is a possibility. For regular locking plates though, it is an awesome tool to have.

[jamoni]

Ugh. Forgot to order a wrench! Well, I guess this is why I have a machine shop.

[st33ve0]

Ugh. Forgot to order a wrench! Well, I guess this is why I have a machine shop.

If you cut something to I believe a 1.244" radius [measure the castle nut before taking my word on that] and drill a hole in it and drive a dowel pin in there to have about 1/16" sticking out it'll be good to go as long as you have a long enough moment arm on it. That's pretty much all they did for the DPMS armorer's wrench I have.

[jamoni]

Ugh. Forgot to order a wrench! Well, I guess this is why I have a machine shop.

If you cut something to I believe a 1.244" radius [measure the castle nut before taking my word on that] and drill a hole in it and drive a dowel pin in there to have about 1/16" sticking out it'll be good to go as long as you have a long enough moment arm on it. That's pretty much all they did for the DPMS armorer's wrench I have.

That's exactly what I planned on doing, though I was going to put 3 pins in it to spread the force out.

[st33ve0]

Ugh. Forgot to order a wrench! Well, I guess this is why I have a machine shop.

If you cut something to I believe a 1.244" radius [measure the castle nut before taking my word on that] and drill a hole in it and drive a dowel pin in there to have about 1/16" sticking out it'll be good to go as long as you have a long enough moment arm on it. That's pretty much all they did for the DPMS armorer's wrench I have.

That's exactly what I planned on doing, though I was going to put 3 pins in it to spread the force out.

You should be good to go then. Probably wouldn't be hard with the right equipment to make one out of some 1/8" sheet metal like the one I linked to earlier. Good luck on your build and post pics

[vyadmirer]

I've got my lower in the mail and will be picking up a lower shortly. However, I've realized that I don't have that little wrench for putting the nut on the buffer tube.

Is there a way to put it on without the special wrench that I'll probably never need again? Or do I just need to bite the bullet and order one?

It's best to suck it up and get one. I'd say it's better to get specific tools for each part than one of the "all in one" tools. They tend to be good enough at everything instead of being great at what you want.

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/d ... duct_id=53

I have one of those and it works fan-fucking-tastic. The only gripe that I have about that wrench: If you are using a magpul ASAP plate, it will not lock up on all three notches, only two and you risk stripping the castle nut. I, luckly, didn't strip mine, but it is a possibility. For regular locking plates though, it is an awesome tool to have.

I am installing an ASAP. Sooooooo good thing you said something. Any other "no break the bank" alternatives. I'm already on thin ice with the old lady cuz I talked her into me needing the Daniel Defense Omega rail instead of standard handguards.

[RebelKangaroo]

Someone school me on the FSB. Mainly, is it possible to change out the FSB on this upper from BCM with a low profile version and not worry about gas leakage?

What are the benefits to a pinned FSB versus whichever other way?

Thanks!

[st33ve0]

Someone school me on the FSB. Mainly, is it possible to change out the FSB on this upper from BCM with a low profile version and not worry about gas leakage?

What are the benefits to a pinned FSB versus whichever other way?

Thanks!

I wouldn't trust a rifle without a pinned GB for SHTF, though realistically a set screw or clamp on GB is more than adequate for plinking, hunting, etc. Probably the best option for that upper if you're wanting to put a rail over it is to get a grinder or a friend with a grinder [belt not angle] and take off the bayonet lug, sling mount, and the top of the FSP. Just round everything off, then re-park it or spray paint it. That's the best and cheapest lo-pro GB option.

[Dead Zed]

From a merged thread where I have some questions about whether or not to purchase a Del-Ton for $599 as my first AR:

There's nothing wrong with them, they're just a lower grade product in several ways.

In which ways are they lower quality?

Del-Ton doesn't price their guns $500 less than Colt and BCM just out of the goodness of their hearts.

Why are they cheaper?

P.S. Thanks to DavePal for the merge. Most of the AR discussions on here are so far over my head I'm pretty hesitant to even begin sorting out the acronym salad.

[st33ve0]

Here's all you need to know about BCM:

http://www.03designgroup.com/reviews/bc ... -receivers

Of particular interest is this anecdote:

On 12-24-09 I contacted Pat Rogers to see what the current round count of the BCM 16" Mid-Length that he has been loaning out to students. Pat refers to this BCM Mid-Length as "Filthy 14" and provided me with the following information on this gun:

"Filthy #14 is the most used, and has (as 12-24-09) 28905 rounds down range. The barrel is original. It has never had a brush put through it. -At 16,400 rounds bolt lug cracked. Replaced the bolt carrier group

-At approximately 26,000 rounds fired a 5 shot 50m group that went into 0.5". This might not be that tight at 100 meters.

-At 26,450 rds had 3 failures to extract. Replaced BCG and cleaned gun for the first time

We use only SLip2000 EWL for lube and Slip 2000 725 to clean.

**All of the rounds were fired during class (at the rate of approximately 1,250 rounds every 3 days)**

I do not recommend allowing the gun to go this long without PM (preventive maintenance). However, we wanted to see how far we could take this particular gun (#14) without being burdened by the myth of meticulous cleaning."

[vyadmirer]

I've got my lower in the mail and will be picking up a lower shortly. However, I've realized that I don't have that little wrench for putting the nut on the buffer tube.

Is there a way to put it on without the special wrench that I'll probably never need again? Or do I just need to bite the bullet and order one?

It's best to suck it up and get one. I'd say it's better to get specific tools for each part than one of the "all in one" tools. They tend to be good enough at everything instead of being great at what you want.

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/d ... duct_id=53

I have one of those and it works fan-fucking-tastic. The only gripe that I have about that wrench: If you are using a magpul ASAP plate, it will not lock up on all three notches, only two and you risk stripping the castle nut. I, luckly, didn't strip mine, but it is a possibility. For regular locking plates though, it is an awesome tool to have.

Do you think that maybe a small strap wrench would be a good way to tighten it instead of the special one? Especially cuz I'm installing an ASAP?

[st33ve0]

I've got my lower in the mail and will be picking up a lower shortly. However, I've realized that I don't have that little wrench for putting the nut on the buffer tube.

Is there a way to put it on without the special wrench that I'll probably never need again? Or do I just need to bite the bullet and order one?

It's best to suck it up and get one. I'd say it's better to get specific tools for each part than one of the "all in one" tools. They tend to be good enough at everything instead of being great at what you want.

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/d ... duct_id=53

I have one of those and it works fan-fucking-tastic. The only gripe that I have about that wrench: If you are using a magpul ASAP plate, it will not lock up on all three notches, only two and you risk stripping the castle nut. I, luckly, didn't strip mine, but it is a possibility. For regular locking plates though, it is an awesome tool to have.

Do you think that maybe a small strap wrench would be a good way to tighten it instead of the special one? Especially cuz I'm installing an ASAP?

A strap wrench could work, but I'd get the normal spanner and cut off part of it so it has 2 teeth instead of three. You can definitely install an ASAP with a spanner that has two teeth 90 degrees apart.

[congochris]

On the wrench thing: I finally remembered to pick one up a couple of weeks ago. I'd put my lower together, and then bought an upper. Ok, I bought a whole new rifle because an upper couldn't be had for love or money during the ban scare.. anyhoo, I've got a few hundred rounds through it. I had to retighten the castle nut a few times, but the gun ran, at least. I was having issues with FTE's, but I blame that more on the crap-ass mags I had and the uber-crap DPMS extractor. Those issues should now be fixed, but I haven't had the chance to take it out and beat it up to see if I can still replicate my previous issues.

TLDR: wrench is good, not having it annoying, but won't kill your rifle.

Also: try your local range/shop. They might let you borrow theirs so you don't have to buy one.

[st33ve0]

On the wrench thing: I finally remembered to pick one up a couple of weeks ago. I'd put my lower together, and then bought an upper. Ok, I bought a whole new rifle because an upper couldn't be had for love or money during the ban scare.. anyhoo, I've got a few hundred rounds through it. I had to retighten the castle nut a few times, but the gun ran, at least. I was having issues with FTE's, but I blame that more on the crap-ass mags I had and the uber-crap DPMS extractor. Those issues should now be fixed, but I haven't had the chance to take it out and beat it up to see if I can still replicate my previous issues.

TLDR: wrench is good, not having it annoying, but won't kill your rifle.

Also: try your local range/shop. They might let you borrow theirs so you don't have to buy one.

Locktite and stake the castle nut unless you think you might ever want to put a different buffer tube without having to buy a new castle nut.

[congochris]

Well, I've got a "commercial" tube. I doubt that matters much, but I might eventually want to change it. So not bothering to stake it right now. For the moment this is a range gun rather than a PAW gun. I'll be building that eventually, and probably use better components.

[st33ve0]

Well, I've got a "commercial" tube. I doubt that matters much, but I might eventually want to change it. So not bothering to stake it right now. For the moment this is a range gun rather than a PAW gun. I'll be building that eventually, and probably use better components.

You can get a mil spec tube for about $35 from BCM. If you do stake it you'll just have to drill it out and probably need to replace the castle nut and the alignment plate...not terribly expensive, just a pain.

[nimdabew]

I have one of those and it works fan-fucking-tastic. The only gripe that I have about that wrench: If you are using a magpul ASAP plate, it will not lock up on all three notches, only two and you risk stripping the castle nut. I, luckly, didn't strip mine, but it is a possibility. For regular locking plates though, it is an awesome tool to have.

Do you think that maybe a small strap wrench would be a good way to tighten it instead of the special one? Especially cuz I'm installing an ASAP?

I still used that wrench anyways. Just be careful and don't try to he-man torque it down and use some blue loctite and you will be fine. As for the strap wrench

[vyadmirer]

I have one of those and it works fan-fucking-tastic. The only gripe that I have about that wrench: If you are using a magpul ASAP plate, it will not lock up on all three notches, only two and you risk stripping the castle nut. I, luckly, didn't strip mine, but it is a possibility. For regular locking plates though, it is an awesome tool to have.

Do you think that maybe a small strap wrench would be a good way to tighten it instead of the special one? Especially cuz I'm installing an ASAP?

I still used that wrench anyways. Just be careful and don't try to he-man torque it down and use some blue loctite and you will be fine. As for the strap wrench

Just an idea I guess. How long you been waiting to use that image?

[SMoAF]

Oh, man. This is just SO wrong on so many levels...





PS: Thanks, Mike!!!

[congochris]

Is the purple one going to be used to build the My Little Pony AR you've been working on forever, or was that somebody else?

[SMoAF]

Is the purple one going to be used to build the My Little Pony AR you've been working on forever, or was that somebody else?

I'm doing the My Little Pony AR for my first daughter, but this is for another project. The MLP one has all the parts done, it's just a matter of getting them back together now. This new lower is light enough that I'm gonna make another sparkly AR for my 2.5 year old second daughter. With luck, it'll be ready in time for her 4th birthday.

[DemonLlama]

In which ways are they lower quality?.

Why are they cheaper?.

Among other things Del-Ton doesn't use the same barrel steel (still good steel, just not as good), they don't use Auto Bolt Carrier Groups, they don't necessarily have chrome lined barrels, their only midlength gas rifles are heavy barreled, they make a midweight barrel and a lightweight barrel but only with carbine gas. They also use a 1/9 twist so they may not always fire the heavier rounds properly.

Take a look at this, if you haven't already.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key= ... rgTA&gid=5

It is definantly not the end all judgment on ARs but it should give you a decent view of what you get for your money with each brand. Del-Ton isn't on there but they'd be somewhere around or between DPMS and Bushmaster.

[Tel0004]

Someone school me on the FSB. Mainly, is it possible to change out the FSB on this upper from BCM with a low profile version and not worry about gas leakage?

What are the benefits to a pinned FSB versus whichever other way?

Thanks!

Yes, you can change it to any FSB you want, as long as the flash hider can be removed (which it can be on that one).

If you want a low profile gas block, the easiest thing to do is to cut off the triangle looking thing with a dremmel, touch up the finish, and you have a low profile gas block that didn't cost you anything, except your time.

[throwback]

Oh, man. This is just SO wrong on so many levels...

You say wrong, but where else are you going to keep the twins?