Must have tools for upper build

[Depick]

Anderson stripped upper is on the way!

 

[@thewheels]

Anybody have a decent source for barrels that include a headspaced bolt?

My search has yielded mediocre results.

 

[Blimey]

View attachment 71944
Like this I’m assuming

I like it. You could also wrap it further, if you really want, with some rubber like a bicycle inner tube or something just to ensure no marring on the upper, though this will make it flex a bit within the vice. Some paper towel may offer a similar benefit!

 

[redtail]

I like it. You could also wrap it further, if you really want, with some rubber like a bicycle inner tube or something just to ensure no marring on the upper, though this will make it flex a bit within the vice. Some paper towel may offer a similar benefit!

Leather is better in this application.

 

[redtail]

I prefer to have the upper in a vise for torquing the barrel. Especially if you are doing a build with a delta ring. You need the vise to hold the upper assembly while you pull the delta ring back like foreskin to expose the pointy parts of the barrel nut. Maybe it's just my crappy wrench, but it can sometimes be a pain to get good contact between the wrench and the teeth of the barrel nut. You can push the delta ring back with the wrench, but I just find it easier to pull it back with my free hand.

If you are going with a free float handguard, it may have a proprietary barrel nut, which will require a different tool (s) (crows foot) than your standard armorers wrench.

So a vise and then a vise block (homemade or bought) to protect the upper and lock it in the vise well.
A torque wrench is handy but as stated, not necessary. A breaker bar is useful for disassembly though.
Something to use as a punch.
A hammer.
Needle nose pliers help with the little E clip that goes on the dust cover pin.
If you get an armorers wrench it will have built into it other tools you may need, such as a spanner wrench for the receiver extension castle nut on the lower, a notch for muzzle devices and maybe one or two places to attach to a breaker bar or torque wrench.
Having a mallet is also handy for stubborn gas blocks.

Only need the crows foot if you are going to use a torque wrench.
Large adjustable works fine, just have to hold the jaws tight on the nut as to not slip/ round off flats.
If you ever used a torque wrench for automotive repairs you will have a good idea of how tight is good enough.
Nut has to be indexed for tube anyway.
I can estimate 30 ft. Lb, it isn't very much at all and 80ft.Lb is the upper limit and quite a lot.

 

[redtail]

Anderson stripped upper is on the way!

Just an fyi bcm has blems with door & FA for 59. right now.

 

[cgrutt]

I've got some gadgets lol. Vice block, barrel nut spanners, etc. If you want to borrow any of them shoot me a pm.

 

[Depick]

I've got some gadgets lol. Vice block, barrel nut spanners, etc. If you want to borrow any of them shoot me a pm.

Thanks I’ll keep that in mind

 

[Depick]

Just an fyi bcm has blems with door & FA for 59. right now.

Damn that’s a good deal maybe I’ll grab one just cause

 

[Depick]

Anybody have a decent source for barrels that include a headspaced bolt?

My search has yielded mediocre results.

I’d imagine if you bought both from the same good manufacturer you’d be ok. You could always contact them for advice.

 

[shootemup]

you pull the delta ring back like foreskin to expose the pointy parts

 

[dwa12479]

Got away without it for a long time, but I bought this reaction rod from botach a while back, and I use it all the time now. It lock into the barrel extension, so you're putting no stress on the upper when torquing a barrel nut.

But it's also great for holding the upper whenever you're working on anything else as well. Handguard or anything else.

Redirect Notice

 

[ArmedCorgi]

you pull the delta ring back like foreskin to expose the pointy parts

I was hoping someone would catch that.

 

[shootemup]

I was hoping someone would catch that.

Well. the anti gunners like to say we are ''substituting'' so might as well put a foreskin on it. LOL

 

[FrankenCub]

I tightened my barrel tight. How tight? Not sure, it ain't popping loose though.

You just used the Goodntight method which works out to be just right.

Anybody have a decent source for barrels that include a headspaced bolt?

My search has yielded mediocre results.

Headspaced bolt? The BCG I'm using, my nephew found behind a work bench at an apartment he use to live in. I gave it a good cleaning and ran with it

 

[@thewheels]

Headspaced bolt? The BCG I'm using, my nephew found behind a work bench at an apartment he use to live in. I gave it a good cleaning and ran with it

No gauges to check it?

 

[FrankenCub]

No gauges to check it?

Nope. Assembled the upper after I cleaned the BCG and sighted it in. Runs perfect and no signs of any problems on the spent brass lol.

 

[BDinPutnam]

I was hoping someone would catch that.

We all did but most of us didnt want to repeat it!

 

[STS556]

I am a firm believer in having the right tool for the job. A casual builder can get away with inexpensive Harbor Freight tools.

A roll pin punch set, small hammer, long nose pliers, hex key set and an AR armorers wrench are the basics. A couple of specialty tools will help too like the Magpul BEV block which doubles as a magwell vise block and a barrel extension lug holder for torquing barrels. And look up the clevis pin trick for the front pivot pin install. It will save you from losing about 10 springs. I have a vise on my work bench but sometimes prefer to build or repair at my dining room table or on a snack table watching TV. For this I use an inexpensive Home Depot machine vise mounted to a block of wood.

 

[Twogunwilly]

Get a gas block dimpling jig if you're buying a barrel.

 

[meketrefe]

Anybody have a decent source for barrels that include a headspaced bolt?

My search has yielded mediocre results.

What type of barrel, the typical budget M4 tacticool profile or something a bit better?

 

[@thewheels]

What type of barrel, the typical budget M4 tacticool profile or something a bit better?

My preference would be for a 16 or ideally an 18 inch bull barrel with a mid length gas system. I want to pass on a carbine gas system for this setup.
I've looked at a couple complete uppers with ER Shaw and Wilson barrels but 16 inch bull barrel mids aren't common and Shilen doesn't appear to offer a 223 wylde chamber in anything less than a 20 inch. I'd prefer to spend less than Shilen money too.

 

[dwa12479]

Bear Creek Arsenal carries exactly what you're looking for...normally. Everythings out of stock at the moment though.

Buy our AR-15 Barrels - High Accuracy Guaranteed | BCA - .223 Wylde - AR-15 - 18

Shop our selection AR-15 barrels! All our high-quality AR15 barrels are made for precision and durability. Shop today and save today at Bear Creek Arsenal! - .223 Wylde - AR-15 - 18

www.bearcreekarsenal.com

 

[Depick]

Hey @meketrefe any thoughts on Ballistic Advantage barrels? I’ve been eyeing up this one:

Ballistic Advantage 223 Wylde Premium Black Series 16 Hanson Mid Length Stainless Steel Barrel w/ Lo Pro Gas Block

Ballistic Advantage 223 Wylde Premium Black Series 16 Hanson Mid Length Stainless barrel w/ Lo Profile Gas Block. Fast Shipping!

www.armorally.com

Im looking for another somewhat lightweight rifle that I can get a little accuracy out of with off the shelf ammo.

 

[GOPerfect]

Hey @meketrefe any thoughts on Ballistic Advantage barrels? I’ve been eyeing up this one:

Ballistic Advantage 223 Wylde Premium Black Series 16 Hanson Mid Length Stainless Steel Barrel w/ Lo Pro Gas Block

Ballistic Advantage 223 Wylde Premium Black Series 16 Hanson Mid Length Stainless barrel w/ Lo Profile Gas Block. Fast Shipping!

www.armorally.com

Wow, that's a bit pricey?

At least to me, I am a cheap bastard though.

 

[Depick]

Wow, that's a bit pricey?

At least to me, I am a cheap bastard though.

I’m quite cheap as well. This is basically my only hobby so I’m willing to crack open my wallet every so often.

 

[meketrefe]

My preference would be for a 16 or ideally an 18 inch bull barrel with a mid length gas system. I want to pass on a carbine gas system for this setup.
I've looked at a couple complete uppers with ER Shaw and Wilson barrels but 16 inch bull barrel mids aren't common and Shilen doesn't appear to offer a 223 wylde chamber in anything less than a 20 inch. I'd prefer to spend less than Shilen money too.

Good choice. Carbine ported barrels should have never existed in the first place. Only the Army messing up a pretty good DI system.
ARP have their own barrels and stronger bolts and 5/8 threads all nitrocarburized. In the absence of 5/8 threads have a deep recessed crown.
Lothar will cut you a barrel to your specs and if you send them the bolt like a nice from young manufacturing they will headspace it for you.

 

[meketrefe]

Hey @meketrefe any thoughts on Ballistic Advantage barrels? I’ve been eyeing up this one:

Ballistic Advantage 223 Wylde Premium Black Series 16 Hanson Mid Length Stainless Steel Barrel w/ Lo Pro Gas Block

Ballistic Advantage 223 Wylde Premium Black Series 16 Hanson Mid Length Stainless barrel w/ Lo Profile Gas Block. Fast Shipping!

www.armorally.com

Im looking for another somewhat lightweight rifle that I can get a little accuracy out of with off the shelf ammo.

Barrels have no secrets. The main thing is to make sure that:
1-They come from decent stock and the cut profile makes sense (Stay away from M4 style carbine)
2-they are properly cut and reamed chambered (sometimes makers make stupid mistakes)
3-They are properly finished if one wants a specific type of finishing.

This is an example of a barrel that makes sense but it is pricey.

X-Caliber AR15 Duty Barrel - 16", .223 Wylde, Midlength, Thermal Fluted, QPQ BlackNitride™

X-Caliber AR15 Duty Barrel - 16", .223 Wylde, HBAR, Midlength Gas, 1:7" Twist, 5/8"x24 muzzle threads, Thermal Fluted, QPQ BlackNitride™.

www.x-caliber.net

W/o thermal fluting, here you can order a SPR with 3R rifling and 5/8 threads for $300....

Configure Your Custom AR-15 Barrel

Build a custom AR-15 barrel. Made to order, see footer for production lead time estimates.

www.x-caliber.net

On the budget side the Stoner from Midway is a Douglas barrel with 5R and mid length porting. it will work just fine.

AR-STONER Barrel AR-15 223 Remington (Wylde) Medium Contour 1 8 Twist

This AR-STONER™ AR-15 223 Remington (Wylde) Barrel is perfect for competition where accuracy and reliability are imperative to a successful match....

www.midwayusa.com

Then grab an M16 carrier and a young manufacturing or ARP bolt that are beefed up and properly treated with 9310 VAC ARC
steel that makes it superior to mil spec and most ohter stuff out there and cheaper than JP.

National Match Chrome 556 Bolt - Young Manufacturing, Inc.

Our National Match Chrome 5.56mm bolt is made from SAE 9310 steel and Precision Ground in three critical areas after heat treating to Mil- Spec. This provides

youngmanufacturing.net

 

[meketrefe]

I am a firm believer in having the right tool for the job. A casual builder can get away with inexpensive Harbor Freight tools.

A roll pin punch set, small hammer, long nose pliers, hex key set and an AR armorers wrench are the basics. A couple of specialty tools will help too like the Magpul BEV block which doubles as a magwell vise block and a barrel extension lug holder for torquing barrels. And look up the clevis pin trick for the front pivot pin install. It will save you from losing about 10 springs. I have a vise on my work bench but sometimes prefer to build or repair at my dining room table or on a snack table watching TV. For this I use an inexpensive Home Depot machine vise mounted to a block of wood.

A lot of the tools that make mroe sense are for people who make lots of stuff like smiths & builders, like for example a mill and a lathe to start with
so one can cut and chamber his/her own barrels.

Other than that when someone is recommending something, specially expensive stuff, and one cannot describe precisely how and why that helps the ocassional lego/AR builder vs. an alternative that might cost nothing (like two decent blocks of wood) then you know they are trying to sell something that might or might not be needed.

I agree everyone should have a decent set of punches and wrenches and pliers but not for this but for anything if one is the type of person who likes to fix things. .Regarding the harbor freight they sell lots of junk but they also sell some pretty decent wrenches and other tools. Same thing as some of the socket sets from home depot, lowes, etc...
If they are good quality they are all the same, many times same makers just with a different logo.
I have a hydraulic lift and compressor and some sockets from the harbor freight that have taken so much abuse that I can see they are great quality.
Of course the compressor I got was not the cheapest they had on sale that would prbably be junk.

 

[BDinPutnam]

An armour's wrench is generally a nice thing to have on hand.