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Posted: 3/18/2003 10:30:45 AM EDT
| I'm talking about the tube that installs under the standard handgaurds. How hard is it to install? I have 20" bushmaster A2. I assume the front sight has to come off? The sight looks like it's on with taper pins so that shouldn't be a problem. Do I need anything special to deal with the gas tube? This is my first AR and this forum has been an tremendous aide. Thanks for the help. |
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As long as you know that you will need to remove the front sight to install the tube, you have won the battle. Pull the barrel, and then pull the front sight and the delta ring assembly. Reinstall the barrel using the new barrel nut/delta ring (index the nut to allow the gas tube to pass threw). Then thread the retaining screw onto the float tube and start threading on the tube to the barrel nut. Spin the tube down so when you install the modified hand guards (heat shield removed and ends cut to fit over the tube), the hand guards are tight as hell, then pull the hand guards and get ready to index the tube. Turn over the upper and watch the sling attachment point and the center of the receiver. Apply Blue loctite to the threads of the retaining nut and tighten the retaining nut while keeping the sling attachment point indexed with the upper receiver. Then re-install the sight tower and the gas tube and put the modified hand guards back on the new tube. Just a note: Armalite and DPMS sell the DCM type float tube. Unless something has changed, on the Armalite tube, you will need to modify your old hand guards. The DPMS tube can be bought with a set of modified hand guards. The Armalite tube is a little stronger, but the hand guards can be an issue if you have never modified a set before. As far as tools go, the Armalite uses a star retaining nut, and the DPMS uses a slotted nut (CAR butt stock wrench works). Also, after you have installed the rifle back together, go down to a leather craft store and get a leather mallet. Since your front sight is not adjustable with setscrews, you will want to drift the barrel in the receiver extension socket with the mallet to zero out the sights, instead of trying to loosen the barrel nut and have to re-index the tube. Hope this helps. |
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Dano523, thanks for the detailled reply. I'm going to get a price from my local smith before I decide whether or not to tackle it myself. I'm going to need to purchase a few tools to do the job so it may be worth the money to have it done. Thanks again for taking the time to help out. |
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