Looking for an AR gunsmith in NorCal

[GoodGun]

Any reliable AR gunsmiths in NorCal, preferrably in the Sacramento area.
Looking to put a Vortex G6 on an Armalite upper.
Thanks!

[bwiese]

Really, any good gunsmith should be able to do this relatively simple job. (Heck, you might even be able to figure out how to do this yourself)

If the FFL gunsmith does not have a valid Calif Assault Weapons permit, just bring in the upper to him.

Flash hiders do NOT need to be pinned/welded on your California AW; the Federal AW ban requiring permanent affixing has sunset back in Sept 2004.

Just screw it on and tighten down - use crush washer or peel washers; these are likely supplied with the FH.



Bill Wiese
San Jose

[GoodGun]

Thanks for your reply Bill.
My Armalite upper came with a muzzle brake which seems to be a permanent fixture as it does not screw off. Any particular tool I need to take it off or just a pair of pliers? Then don't I need to have the barrel threaded to be able to put the Vortex on?
I called a couple of gunsmiths around here but they do not want to do it. May be it is too simple as you said and therefore not cost effective for them.
I would love to do it myself if given proper tools and instructions.....I even put in a new JP trigger group which works great!

[BigAL]

Flash hiders do NOT need to be pinned/welded on your California AW; the Federal AW ban requiring permanent affixing has sunset back in Sept 2004.

They do need to be perm attached if barrel length is 14.5" to bring the length to 16".

[bwiese]

They do need to be perm attached if barrel length is 14.5" to bring the length to 16".

Correct. I was assuming he has a 16" bbl as I don't recall many/any (?) Armalite bbls shorter than that.

Now that I think of it, there is a chance that this upper was a postban upper with pinned/welded 'permanently affixed' muzzle device. That could take some effort to remove.

Have you thought of sending just upper to Armalite with an R&R request? They'll know what they did, and it'll likely be cheaper than a California gunsmith.


Bill Wiese
San Jose

[BigAL]

Thanks for your reply Bill.
My Armalite upper came with a muzzle brake which seems to be a permanent fixture as it does not screw off. Any particular tool I need to take it off or just a pair of pliers? Then don't I need to have the barrel threaded to be able to put the Vortex on?
I called a couple of gunsmiths around here but they do not want to do it. May be it is too simple as you said and therefore not cost effective for them.
I would love to do it myself if given proper tools and instructions.....I even put in a new JP trigger group which works great!

If the muzzle brake is truly perm attached, removal is not that easy (pliers won't work). Companies like ADCO can remove it, but the brake/FH is destroyed in the process.

[pieeater]

If the muzzle brake is truly perm attached, removal is not that easy (pliers won't work). Companies like ADCO can remove it, but the brake/FH is destroyed in the process.

I had ADCO pin a vortex on a 14.5.Shipped it standard UPS on a Mon. got it back the next tues.

[BigAL]

I had ADCO pin a vortex on a 14.5.Shipped it standard UPS on a Mon. got it back the next tues.

I've never had ADCO do any gunsmithing for me but I have bought stuff from them and have never had a problem.

[GoodGun]

Thanks for all the great info.....
ADCO looks good....I think I'll give them a try.
I'll post results after it's done!

[pieeater]

I've never had ADCO do any gunsmithing for me but I have bought stuff from them and have never had a problem.

I've bought some uppers from them too and never a problem they are great guys to deal with.

[GoodGun]

Just got my AR back.....quick turnaround (2 day + shipping) from ADCO.
It looks great....need to take it out for a test drive!

Thanks for the recommendation!

[DULLYJAY]

Can't any one work on a upper if you keep lower receicer with you? You don't need a AW permit to work on just upper. Right?

[GoodGun]

Yes, I just sent them the upper minus the charging handle and the bolt assembly.