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Gunsmithing & How To Pro, Amateur & WECSOG and Tutorials, Guides & OLL Build Instructions |
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#1
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Seeking Amateur AR Gunsmith
What would be the best way to find a nearby amateur AR gunsmith, someone who has done AR builds at home?
I've heard of lower build parties but is there such a thing as an upper build party? I'm thinking about doing my first upper build and although there is a wealth of online information I'd sure like to have someone with experience on speed dial in case I get mysef into trouble. (I'm in the SF south bay area.) |
#2
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Honestly I'd recommend just buying the tools and having a go at it. It's really very simple.
As i recall all you need is an upper receiver vice block, armorers wrench, torque wrench, roll pin punch, and headspace gauges.
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#3
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It's pretty easy with the right tools (good bench-top vise, torque wrench, action block, etc.).
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“Political tags — such as royalist, communist, democrat, populist, fascist, liberal, conservative, and so forth — are never basic criteria. The human race divides politically into those who want people to be controlled and those who have no such desire.” — Robert A. Heinlein “It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds” — Samuel Adams |
#4
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Just post up your questions on CG here, there'll be plenty of people to hop on your questions.
Building an upper is very easy, the only hard part is making sure your mount the barrel nut correctly imho...I mean just spend the money on the correct tools though and you'll be fine.
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"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not." |
#5
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Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement. I've been watching the videos and reading up in various forums.
(I found this better than the midway videos: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=1...R-15-Section-1) You guys make it sound so easy but when I told my wife and friends what I was contemplating they thought I was nuts. There is a huge mental gulf between buying a gun and building one. (I know an AR15 is very standardized.) Would it make sense to organize upper assembly build parties? |
#6
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I do not know you personally, so I won't say you or anyone can do it. But you or anyone can learn to do it.
It all depends on what you want to do and how far you want to get into the tools to do it. For instance I am personally an "A" frame guy and while I have the mill and or drill press and jig at home (of course at work) those tools can get expensive fast. Plus you can cant it like a WASR if your not careful. Even low profiles I taper pin, but if you do not the single dimple is normally on a barrel (I put a second prior to taper pin). Yes I am OCD on my gas block but if you ever had one move on you, you would be too. Barrel nuts should be torqued three times with a torque wrench and a tool that attaches to it. Rails need special tools sometimes too. The muzzle device should be put on with a tool like the dpms one (I never use it for the other crud but its the right size to get a muzzle device moving). The ejection port door I use a Bic ball point pen. The forward (never needed) assist is done with roll pin and punch from the bottom. That is about all there is to it other then checking headspace but that "should" have been done by the barrel maker. Get some one from your local range your cool with the first time to help. You need to know exactly what your building as different rails/gas blocks/muzzle devices need different tools. PERSONAL NOTE: Even my GF looks at me funny and says stuff when I make guns. For instance on the last personal project I cut the barrel and mag tube on a Mosberg 500, ground down the attachment point, braised it on a new location, cut out the end cap on the mag tube, put the pend cap into the cut mag tube, dimple in the cap in the new location, put the heat shield back on, drilled a hole through the attachment point, use a single heat shield screw through the hole to secure the heat shield, Birds head grip put on. With all that the only question that was asked from her "how do you know it will shoot and not blow up".
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Nathan Tactical Machining 1270 Biscayne Blvd Deland, FL 32724 Phone 386-490-4464 fax 386-490-4890 Last edited by Nathan Krynn; 06-03-2015 at 1:24 PM.. |
#9
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While it's a good idea to check headspace, there's no way of setting it without taking the barrel apart. Most people now seem to use free float rails so set screw gas blocks are reasonable, meaning the only special tools you're likely to need are for installing the barrel.
I've assembled a couple uppers, internet instruction only.
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#10
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You can do it. It's really not that hard. Vice block, a barrel nut wrench, and tools you probably already have will suffice.
Take your time, watch the videos before and during assembly, and tape up any place where you might have even a small chance of slipping with a tool/missing with a hammer, and marring the finish. Good luck
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#14
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Well! I won't be outdone by any woman! |
#15
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What's up with the norcalgunners? Can't help a brother out? If it's so simple, why not take a half hour and go over it with him?
Hella lame...
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Stand up and be counted, or lay down and be mounted... -Mac |
#16
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I did get an offer by PM and I am grateful for all the advice and encouragement.
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#17
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Lots of people even screw up simple things like installing a barrel nut to perfect alignment so that the gas tube is able to properly float within the key. I fix all sorts of these things when non-mechanically-inclined people bring me their home built uppers.
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Randall Rausch AR work: www.ar15barrels.com Bolt actions: www.700barrels.com Foreign Semi Autos: www.akbarrels.com Barrel, sight and trigger work on most pistols and shotguns. Most work performed while-you-wait, evening and saturday appointments available. |
#19
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Plus I was just taking the opportunity to rib the other half of the state. |
#21
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I learned on my own. I made a couple mistakes here and there. A blemish or two and bought some tools that didn't work as well as ones I found later. I've built about a dozen of them now and they were all 80% lowers too. You want some help I just moved my shop and can be found tinkering there most evenings working on stuff. Bench space and tools special for the purpose. Shop is in Scotts Valley about 20 minutes from you. I can't do the work for you but can lay you out with what you need and offer advice as I work on various other ****. Be on hand. Weekdays are best 7 to 10pm I have my kids most weekends. PM you want to exchange numbers and set something up.
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#22
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With the help of DarkSoul (so that's how a torque wrench works!) I replaced my barrel and tested it today at the range. I went from 5" groups at 100 yards to 1" groups.
Thanks, everyone, for your encouragement and help! |
#23
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Glad to hear that you got it working better. What barrel was that bad?
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#24
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It was a 25 yr old Colt HBAR 20" 1:7 barrel. It was never quite as good as it should have been for the weight but I think it just gradually got worse over the years. (I shot a lot of rounds through it.)
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