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Posted: 2/7/2012 7:20:54 AM EDT
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Hello everybody I just joined the forums and I need a little help. I recently just bought my first ar 15, a dpms oracle and despite what everyone says about dpms mine has 500 troublefree rounds through it so far and the reason I bought one is because I used my friends oracle at the range with him and he has 4000 rounds trouble free. I love the rifle but it's still plain jane and I'm ready for some upgrades.
I've been looking through the forums for a few days and a lot of my questions were answered but there's still a few questions I have that I couldnt find an answer to, so any help at all would be greatly appreciated. 1. Rail systems. I want to upgrade to a free float rail system that covers the gas block and go's a good bit up the length of the barrel. The DPMS has a railed gas block thats lower than the rail on the upper. What free float quad rail could I buy for the DPMS that will cover that sort of gas block. It also seems that this gas block is bigger length wise than some others you could buy. Would it be smart to just replace the gas block with a low pro from YHM or will the one i have be ok? Also when installing said free float rail system it appears i would have to remove the gas block and gas tube via two tiny allen screws in the bottom of the block. Is it hard to perfectly recenter when reinstalling the block or is it guided perfectly straight by the gas tube port? 2. If I upgrade to a mil spec buffer tube do I need to replace the actual buffer and spring or will they be ok to transfer over since the inside diameter is the same on both tubes? Any help at all would be great. |
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My first rifle was the Sportical, which is exactly the same as the oracle except the FA and dust cover - you will not be able to find a rail that your GB will fit under. You will need to swap it with a LP. Which rail system are you looking to get? Keep in mind that you will probably have to remove the barrel nut and replace it with a rail specific one, or in the event of using one that uses the stock barrel nut you'll at least have to dremel off the delta ring.
No the Gas tube will not "perfectly" line the gasport up, but GB tend to have a little larger hole there so you shouldn't be that far off, just make some index marks where things are before disassembling. And remember that you need to keep your GB off that shoulder the .16 or whatever it is (the thickness of that hand guard retaining cap that is currently on there) Yes you can reuse your spring and buffer, why are you replacing the tube btw? Don't bother replacing it unless there is a stock incompatibility... you won't see a functional difference... but if you want to do it anyways its no big deal... just don't expect to see a functional difference. |
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Quoted:
...you will not be able to find a rail that your GB will fit under. You will need to swap it with a LP. Which rail system are you looking to get? Keep in mind that you will probably have to remove the barrel nut and replace it with a rail specific one, or in the event of using one that uses the stock barrel nut you'll at least have to dremel off the delta ring. No the Gas tube will not "perfectly" line the gasport up, but GB tend to have a little larger hole there so you shouldn't be that far off, just make some index marks where things are before disassembling. And remember that you need to keep your GB off that shoulder the .16 or whatever it is (the thickness of that hand guard retaining cap that is currently on there) Yes you can reuse your spring and buffer, why are you replacing the tube btw? Don't bother replacing it unless there is a stock incompatibility... you won't see a functional difference... but if you want to do it anyways its no big deal... just don't expect to see a functional difference. What he said. Welcome, nice to see BRD has kicked in. Good Luck 
Be sure to post some pics for a proper ARFCOM welcome. |
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As durabo said you will have to replace your GB. I've installed YHM low profile GBs and they were easy to install.
I used a feeler gauge to keep it off the shoulder to position it. I will add that not all rails are the same. I'd stay away from UTG, Leapers, or anything else made in China. YHM, and MI rails are pretty affordable but feel huge to me almost like holding the large end of a baseball bat. LaRue and Daniel Defense rails fit my hand just right. Go to a gun show and or large gun shop and pick several rails up and see which one you like. |
| Thanks for all the help so far guys. Yeah I kind of figured nothing would fit over that gas block. Now would i actually have to dremmel off the d ring. I've seen vids of people able to just unscrew it once the gas block and gas tube are off and replace it with a free float barrel nut |
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Quoted:
Thanks for all the help so far guys. Yeah I kind of figured nothing would fit over that gas block. Now would i actually have to dremmel off the d ring. I've seen vids of people able to just unscrew it once the gas block and gas tube are off and replace it with a free float barrel nut Sure you can just unscrew it... with an upper receiver block, torque wrench, moly grease, an armorers tool, and a bench vise. Then if you put on a specific barrel nut you will need a specific wrench to install the new one. These are all things EVERY owner of an AR should own, but I doubt you have them yet. Dremeling off the delta ring and installing a free float system that uses the stock nut is the typical new owner route. That or getting a system that uses the stock delta ring as well. Warning, if you purchase all of the tools needed to start taking apart your upper, you will soon REALLY be feeling the disease...
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Well looks like I'm buying some tools. I really dont trust myself with a dremmel haha. You guys were not kidding about BRD its real and it hits you hard and fast. Also I cant seem to find any local gunsmiths to get a quote on installing a free float, but im not usually one to let others do my work anyway.
I'm going to order the low pro gas block and look into some tools and rail systems, wish me luck. Oh, and just incase I decide not to go that route does anybody know any flip up front sight that will work on the stock dpms block? |
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Quoted:
Well looks like I'm buying some tools. I really dont trust myself with a dremmel haha. You guys were not kidding about BRD its real and it hits you hard and fast. Also I cant seem to find any local gunsmiths to get a quote on installing a free float, but im not usually one to let others do my work anyway. I'm going to order the low pro gas block and look into some tools and rail systems, wish me luck. Oh, and just incase I decide not to go that route does anybody know any flip up front sight that will work on the stock dpms block? I would think any flip up front sight designed to go on a gas block would work. Make sure its for a GB and not a same plane rail system. Different heights. Look in the Build it Yourself section here. There's a tacked link called build your on Lower, Upper, install freefloat rail, etc near the top of that page. Lots of good info there for installing a freefloat. I would recomend a good set of upper receiver clamps. Otherwise you run the risk of damaging your upper installing it in a vice. |
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