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Posted: 7/7/2011 10:27:33 PM EDT
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Not sure if this has been covered before –– wasn't sure what to search for.
I've been looking ahead to the day when I wear out my barrel and need to rebarrel my AR (I've heard 10k to 20k rounds is when I should do it). I don't have the tools to rebarrel my AR myself, and I live in a small studio apartment with no room to put them even if I had them. So, that seems to leave me with two choices: 1) Replace the entire upper receiver assembly 2) Ship my upper receiver assembly to, say, ADCO, and have them rebarrel it Option 1) Pros: -Fast and easy Cons -Seems like kind of a waste of good parts, since the barrel itself is really the only part that is worn out -I'd be paying $$ to replace a lot of parts that are fine Option 2) Pros: -Possibly save some money -Avoid having to yank off my loctited BUIS Cons: -May not save very much money at all once you factor in shipping and labor -May have difficulty finding a replacement barrel -Can't be done indefinitely (I assume after a few barrel changes you start to wear out the threads, pin holes, etc.) What would you guys recommend? Any thoughts appreciated. |
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You don't need much for tools and I'm sure there's someone here who lives close enough to help you. That or have a 'smith do it.
In either case, you should change your barrel when the accuracy is no longer acceptable...which may be as high as 40k rnds depending on the barrel and how you treat (heat) it. |
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If you buy a new upper, you're going to be buying parts that you already have. Do you have a friend that has the tools to change the barrel? That would be the best bet. Check out the home town forums and see if there's someone in your area that has the right tools and will either let you use them, or do it for you. Buy a 12 pack with the money you saved on shipping. |
You shouldn't have any problem finding someone to change out the barrel for you. Purchasing another upper is a waste unless you want something different. Someone with a little knowledge can change out a barrel in about 15 min from start to finish and still have time to down a beer during the process. 
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As far as round count Pat Rogers has filthy 14 wich probably has close to 50,000 rds on it by now and thats a class gun thats run hard so I dont think 15 to 20,000 rds you will need to replace the barrel.When barrels burn out the throat usually goes first so if rounds are not keyholing or your having any extraction issues I wouldnt change a thing unless you really want to.It depends on what you want what I would do though since you dont have the means to do it yourself keep the spare upper and just get a new one..keep the old one as a spare or maybe it will turn into another rifle.
Just wondering waht makes you think your barrel is worn out?You coulkd always have it gauged to see how much wear.As long as its not keyholing and grouping within 4 inches at 50 to 100 yds its fine. |
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Quoted: You don't need much for tools and I'm sure there's someone here who lives close enough to help you. That or have a 'smith do it. In either case, you should change your barrel when the accuracy is no longer acceptable...which may be as high as 40k rnds depending on the barrel and how you treat (heat) it. Spending $150 on all of the right tools is nothing compared to the $6000+ you will spend on ammo shooting out your barrel. |
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Quoted: My line of thinking also. Quoted: You don't need much for tools and I'm sure there's someone here who lives close enough to help you. That or have a 'smith do it. In either case, you should change your barrel when the accuracy is no longer acceptable...which may be as high as 40k rnds depending on the barrel and how you trea Spending $150 on all of the right tools is nothing compared to the $6000+ you will spend on ammo shooting out your barrel. The truth of the matter is once you've shot the barrel out the cost of a complete upper is irrelavant compared to the cost of ammo. |
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There's no one in you area that's capable of doing the job for you instead of sending half way back est to do it???? I'm basically in the same situation as you are and can say any good competant gun smith can swap barrels for you. Just buy the barrel of you choice and have the smith do it.
Impala |
I don't think you realize just how easy it is to change a barrel 
All you need is a $19 barrel wrench from Midway USA and a $2 plastic cutting board from Wal-Mart "assuming your upper is a flattop" and a friend with a bench vice, 3/8" wrench, 1/16" punch. (1) Cut the plastic cutting board in half for the vice pads, laying your upper horizontally in the vice and snug it up. (2) Drive the roll pin from the FSB and slide the gas tube out. (3) Use the barrel nut wrench to remove the barrel nut. (4) Pull the Delta ring pack and install it on the new barrel (5) Slide the new barrel into your upper and snug it up, then loosen and re-snug three times indexing the barrel nut for the gas tube. (6) Replace gas tube and roll pin... Done Just be sure to buy a barrel with the FSB already installed |
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