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Posted: 5/2/2015 8:35:36 PM EDT
So after lurking the boards, reading books and watching all the quality instructional vids I could find I'm ready to make my first build happen. It's taken way longer than it should have, and honestly my parts have been sitting in storage for a while getting jealous of new rifles.  I've decided to do a Recon Rifle/Recce type build.. I started out wanting an SPR-esqe rifle but came to realize the Recon Rifle might fit my needs a little better. Here's a list of parts -
UPPER Larue Stealth Billet Upper Receiver, LT007-A3 BCM 16" "Recce" Barrel with Mid-Length Gas, 1:8 Larue 12.0 Handguard Fail Zero NiB M16 BCG BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle, Medium, Mod 4. YHM Gas Block, Mid-Length Gas Tube YHM Phantom 5C2 FH LOWER Complete LMT Defender 2000 W/ SOPMOD JP Original Fire Control System I also have an 18" 1:8 .223 Wylde RRA Barrel I ordered before I re-considered and got the 16". I'm gonna turn that into a Mk12-ish build if this goes well. Currently I'm ordering parts for my bench. I had a few old borrowed tools from my dad (vice, wrenches, punch kits) but I'm going to go ahead and give those back and just invest in new tools. This is my first build but I already know it won't be my last, so it'll be well worth it. I'd love some suggestions on quality tools you guys use especially action blocks and torque wrenches. More than anything I could use some build tips on how to ensure reliability and accuracy. I've done my homework and I feel plenty confident in my ability, but I want to make sure I have all bases covered and then some. Thanks for your time and your tips! |
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Quoted:
So after lurking the boards, reading books and watching all the quality instructional vids I could find I'm ready to make my first build happen. It's taken way longer than it should have, and honestly my parts have been sitting in storage for a while getting jealous of new rifles. I've decided to do a Recon Rifle/Recce type build.. I started out wanting an SPR-esqe rifle but came to realize the Recon Rifle might fit my needs a little better. Here's a list of parts -
UPPER Larue Stealth Billet Upper Receiver, LT007-A3 BCM 16" "Recce" Barrel with Mid-Length Gas, 1:8 Larue 12.0 Handguard Fail Zero NiB M16 BCG BCM Gunfighter Charging Handle, Medium, Mod 4. YHM Gas Block, Mid-Length Gas Tube YHM Phantom 5C2 FH LOWER Complete LMT Defender 2000 W/ SOPMOD JP Original Fire Control System I also have an 18" 1:8 .223 Wylde RRA Barrel I ordered before I re-considered and got the 16". I'm gonna turn that into a Mk12-ish build if this goes well. Currently I'm ordering parts for my bench. I had a few old borrowed tools from my dad (vice, wrenches, punch kits) but I'm going to go ahead and give those back and just invest in new tools. This is my first build but I already know it won't be my last, so it'll be well worth it. I'd love some suggestions on quality tools you guys use especially action blocks and torque wrenches. More than anything I could use some build tips on how to ensure reliability and accuracy. I've done my homework and I feel plenty confident in my ability, but I want to make sure I have all bases covered and then some. Thanks for your time and your tips! As for tools, the clamshell type action block is the safest and preferred solution. I use the DPMS claw block, which is a different design. I've had no problems with it. Since you have a complete lower, you only need tools for assembling the upper. Check on the Larue handguard to see what kind of barrel nut it uses, that will tell you which wrench to get. Some handguards have proprietary nuts and wrenches. Most people insist on having a torque wrench, but IMO they are not strictly necessary. Unlike head bolts on a V8 engine, the amount of torque applied to AR barrel nuts is quite modest. There are two roll pins to deal with, to hold the forward assist (if applicable) and to fix the gas tube inside the gas block. This latter pin is very small and the gas block is difficult to hold tight. It almost takes three hands and you might want to enlist someone to help hold the pin with some needle nose pliers while you hammer on it. It helps if you have the special starter and driver punches for those two little roll pins. When it comes time to install your muzzle device, be sure to clamp the barrel, not the upper receiver in the vise, using wooden blocks. You don't want to translate that torque to the barrel/receiver interface. Brownells and Midway have everything you need in the way of tools. good luck - CW |
| Grace makes nice punches and a starter punch for gas block roll pins will save you a headache. A bolt catch punch helps as well. You will also need a lower vise block and something to hold the upper. I prefer a Geiselle Reaction Rod for uppers. I use a Craftsman torque wrench and do not forget an AR15 wrench. |
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Grace RP set
Brownells starter punches Brownells clamshell (high quality, not toy quality) Delrin pin pushers (no mar way of pushing out tight trigger and receiver pins) Sinclair mag block (machined UHMW, not toy quality injection molded) Are a few tools that I have. Other stuff... The Reaction Rod or its knockoff looks like a good solution Barrel blocks for working on muzzle devices |
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