Questions about Lefty Grendel

I've been planning this build for a while, as my coming home/ post-deployment present. My concept was a short- barreled (16 in) lefty AR in 6.5, with a gas-piston conversion kits installed, and I've run into a few snags. Any advice on any of them, or in general, would be great.

First off, finding a left handed bolt in 6.5. I read on another post about how simply flipping a regular bolt over won't work, so if anyone has any info on a possible solution, it would be much appreciated.

Secondly, the bolt carrier. While there are drop-in kits that only require replacing the gas key, I really like the look of the kits that involve a one-piece carrier, both for ease of cleaning and durability Unfortunately, they're all anti-lefty. I doubt its legal for me to go to a machinist with the specs and have them mill one out for me. Any tips, suggestions, opinions on obtaining one, or any opinions on some of the kits already out there would be welcome as well.

I've already figured on using a Stag upper, even though my ideal upper would be smooth sided, for comfortable carry. I want this to be a rifle that my right handed brother and brother in law can't "borrow", so the brass deflector isn't a requirement, and somewhere I remember seeing a picture of an AR with the forward assist located under the rear sight post, no deflector, and a reciprocating charging handle affixed directly to the carrier. If this sounds familiar to anyone, please let me know the model/smith, so I can contact them and see about a lefty version of this, or let me know if my memory is addled.

I am also curious if anyone has heard of anyone making left conversion kits, i.e. .22 cal. for inexpensive trigger time.

Thanks much!

I do not think you would have legal problems machining a carrier. That is not a controlled part. The only part you would have any trouble making would be the lower receiver which is the serial numbered part.

Other than that I do not have any answers or suggetions. Good Luck!

Get a Ciener bolt and mag kit.

I bet you can find a used one cheap.

And you had better have a chrome lined bbl unless you want to spend lots of time cleaning.

Rimfire is very dirty.

I have seen people nearly ruin suppressors with rimfire because it got so gunked up it deflected the bullet.

If it had been a 5.56mm that deflected it would have been ugly and expensive.

I do not think you would have legal problems machining a carrier. That is not a controlled part. The only part you would have any trouble making would be the lower receiver which is the serial numbered part.

Other than that I do not have any answers or suggetions. Good Luck!

You can possibly machine a right hand carrier and make it a lefty.

I would have to think about that.

But initially I think it can be done.

You might be able to make an upper ambidextrous as well, left side slick and right side not slick.

Unless you have unlimited time, buy the Stag upper, get an ambi release and selector.

For a bolt contact Templar.

Bob can make you one, I do not know what the additional charge would be for setup.

Carrier is part of the Stag upper, sell or keep the bbl.

For the bolt carrier Stag has the left handed one listed as available for 84 dollars. They also have the 3HL upper (left handed) complete with bcg for 495 dollars.

It might be easier to find a lefty 7.62x39 bolt and use a CSS barrel.

Ok. wow, lol. I wasn't expecting such a strong response. Thanks much all for the replies; I'll look into all the suggestions.

Bushfyr: 7.62x39 bolt will work for 6.5 Grendel? I didn't know that. Is it a perfect fit, or should I worry about headspace, etc.?

warped: I was already pretty much expecting to use a standard lefty Stag. The smooth-sided idea was just an idea that I thought would be nice, but isn't vital. And I'll talk to Ciener about a lefty model too.

Again, thanks everyone for the tips.

I see the easiest way to make a left handed Grendel would be to get a left handed 7.62x39 bolt and send off to CSS to have a barrel made that is headspaced off the bolt. The bolt face depth is different on the 7.62x39 compared to the 6.5G.

So unless AA comes out with a left handed bolt, the only way to properly do it is have a CSS barrel headspaced off the left handed 7.62x39 bolt.

Scott

Ok, thanks vstarned. I was curious, because wikipedia lists the Grendel as having slightly different case specs as the 7.62x39. According to that site:
6.5 Grendel 7.62x39
Base Diameter 11.15mm 11.35mm
Rim Diameter 11.2mm 11.35mm
Rim Thickness 1.5mm 1.5mm

The way I read this, a 7.62x39 bolt will fit Grendel cases, but it might be a little loose. Hence my concern. But if you say that a barrel made to match the bolt will solve that issue, I;m all for it.

Thanks again

All current production CSS barrels use 7.62x39 bolts on their barrells. People also take 7.62x39 brass and either hydroform or fireform the brass to Grendel specs.

I know looking at the specs there appear differences in spec., but they are really minor variations. It is standard form for 7.62x39 bolts being used to build the 6.5CSS barrels. It is also standard to convert 7.62x39 brass.

I understand your concern on the changes, but others will answer that is common use and work just fine. I've never used the 7.62x39 brass and bolt, but would not hesitate to use it from all of the information that has been provided. Building a southpaw Grendel is something I plan to do in the next year or so and that is the way I would go.

Scott

Ok, thanks for the clarification. I wasn't sure at first, but after doing some more I found other sources stating the exact same thing. Sweet! That solves my biggest issue with making a lefty Grendel AR. Everything else should be pretty easy, I just have to figure out the logistics of getting one built while I'm deployed, so I don't have to wait for it once I get back, lol. Thanks again everyone for the tips and info.

Is there a left hand bolt in 7.62x39?

I was (very slowly) planning out something similar. But my plan was starting with a left hand 5.56 bolt and machining it. Then using the stag upper receiver, bolt carrier, etc. Don't forget that on the barrel, you will want a stag ambi extension as well.

I had done some more research and found that the left handed bolts also requires a left handed bolt carrier for matching up to have a forward assist on the left hand side. I thought DPMS does offer the left handed 7.62 bolt. I think Stag might also.

Scott

I know that Stag's bolts require a lefty carrier as well, but Stag so far has only done 5.56 and that "other" 6mm. DPMS does a 7.62 bolt, and all their lefty bolts work in standard carriers. What stops me from buying DPMS parts is that I have run into a few posts on various gun forums that seem to have a low opinion of the company. This makes me concerned about their quality control, etc. But if/when I do a lefty Grendel, it will probably involve their Hi-ride Upper, and a lefty 7.62x39 bolt. Thanks for your help