Replacing the receiver - help

[Chatterbox]

Years ago, I bought a FAB-10 (huge POS) and had it mated with a Model 1 kit by a gunsmith. Now I've finally gone and bought a real OLL...but the problem is that I don't know very much about AR-15 innards (the FAB-10 has been sitting in closet for the last 8 years). Basically, I can take down the rifle, but everything after that gets kind of hazy. So...questions:
1) Do I need a castle nut wrench to remove the collapsible buttstock?
2) What kind of wrench unscrews that screw inside the grip?
3) Any other tools I'm going to need?
4) Is there a video/manual I could refer to?

P.S Pictures of rifles are attached.

[Tweak338]

Where are you located.
I'm sure a CGN'r can help you out.

Yes, You will need the wrench to remove the castle nut.

It is either a flathead or an Allen(hex) to remove the PG screw.(Probably a flathead if its Model1)

You will also need some rollpin punches.
and a plastic bag for the detents to shoot into.

[armygunsmith]

1) Yes, there are special tools to do remove the buttstock. It may be staked so it might need a little convincing to take off.
2)Take a look down the inside of the grip and determine weather the screw is a flat tip or cap headed screw. Either way you will need a tool with a decent length shaft to loosen the screw.
3) A nice set of punches. But this is defendant of if you are going to take all of the parts off your old lower or if you have a lower parts kit.

Also take a look at the Brownells videos, they should give you a pretty good idea

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/GunTech/NewsletterArchive.aspx?x=v&p=0&t=1&i=1115

[Chatterbox]

Thanks guys! About the grip screw - I've attached the picture of the screw here:




but I'll be damned if I know what kind of screw it is.

[wcnones]

I'll help you out if you are local. What's you 10-20?

[wcnones]

Also, curious as to why the FAB-10 is a POS. I'm not at all familiar with the receiver, but the lower generally needs to meet milspec to be "effective", as the vast majority of accuracy and reliability is dependent upon the construction of the upper.

What issues are you having with the FAB-10? Aside, of course, from the ugly flag logo draped liberally across the part.

[Chatterbox]

I'm in Santa Monica.

FAB-10 is a POS because having to pull out a takedown pin to reload the magazine, break it open, feed it by hand (or a stripper clip, I suppose), then close and reinsert the pin is tremendously ... annoying.

[wcnones]

Ahhh...it's a top loader. I wonder what would be involved in converting it; a dremel could chop out the floor of the magwell, but I wonder what exists for installing the mag release mechanism.

You are welcome to bring the rifle out to my house and I can break it down and help you put together a new lower. I'm in Upland. PM me if you'd like to do this.

[Chatterbox]

Thanks - I'd like to give it a go myself first, before bothering other people. But does no one know what kind of screw that is in the grip?

[ar15barrels]

Bring the Fab10 down to me in Culver City.
I've always wanted to open up one of those magwells...

[foxtrotuniformlima]

Bring the Fab10 down to me in Culver City.
I've always wanted to open up one of those magwells...

Chatterbox,

I'd take Randall up on his offer if I was you.

[ar15barrels]

But does no one know what kind of screw that is in the grip?

I know.
That's a socket head cap screw.
It takes a 3/16" allen wrench.

[chuck762]

Bring the Fab10 down to me in Culver City.
I've always wanted to open up one of those magwells...

And machine the mag catch hole?

[ar15barrels]

And machine the mag catch hole?

Sure.
It's two holes and two slots.
No biggie.

[Bobotheclown]

I vote giving it to Randal to play with. Then post pictures of the final version.