Work I wanted done?

[rickt300]

I have an 16 inch AR Stoner complete upper in 5.56 and I wanted to get the group buy Grendel bolt installed in the BCG and the 6.5 Grendel BCA 16 inch M4 contoured barrel installed and it reassembled just as it was. Well the guy says the barrel is not cut for the front sight pins and he couldn't figure out how to do it! Is this that hard to get done? Or why couldn't he have used a different gas block, one that didn't need the pins? Anyway after having the parts for 5 weeks he backs out on me.

[Kilco]

Precision Firearms more than likely could hook you up!

[grayfox]

I would toss the gb needing pins and use a fresh tube and new gb that you can use set screws on... and some loktite. Should be able to find a .750 gas block from several mfrs that would do nicely for you. and use a free float handguard also... lots of those are on sale now. much better upper when you're all said n done.

[rickt300]

I want to use the standard handguard and I am sure I told him he didn't need to use the original front sight GB, to buy what he needed to get the job done. I don't care for the free floating handguards. Don't need a cheese grater on the front of my rifle or ten feet of picatinny either.

[Sticks]

Modern hangards come in a variety that is more round tube with slots to putthe rails where you want them than the traditional quads. The original M16 type guards are beyond obsolete.

Midwest industries, geissele, ALG, Sampson, matrix...hundreds out there

[just_john]

Yankee Hill has an excellent front-sight gas block that is a two-piece assembly. With any of these, the handguard has to be short enough to clear the block. Would strongly encourage to NOT get a front-sight gas block with a rail as putting anything on it will affect your point of aim.

[rickt300]

Being 61 and having years of experience with the military handguards how exactly are they obsolete? They work, are cheap to replace and they are supported at both ends.

[Klem]

Being 61 and having years of experience with the military handguards how exactly are they obsolete? They work, are cheap to replace and they are supported at both ends.

They may not be obsolete in the mainstream military but specialist elements dropped them in favour of free-floating a few years ago. And unless you are on an absolute budget (and unfamiliar with innovation) civilians don't use them either. Bottom line, you have to admit the original clamshell handguard design is not cutting-edge technology.

Clamshell handguards need to be supported at both ends because that is how they were designed to stay on. That does not necessarily make them sturdier than modern free-floating designs.

By all means go with what you know. Perhaps a MILSPEC handguard is also rich in service symbolism and needs to look the part, like an iconic souvenir. I get that, and each to their own. Clamshell handguards do not however aid accuracy, especially when compared against free-floating. You can build a rifle that is similar to what you used at work, or you can build a rifle that will be more accurate... Up to you.

[bj139]

This thought occurred to me as I am about to turn 60 and don't believe the original handguards are obsolete either, I have both an AR Stoner upper and a BCA 16" barrel. I lined them up side by side for the picture and it looks like both gas blocks line up. Anyone who knows how to use a drill and a dial caliper should be able to drill the barrel. Maybe there is some other problem?

IMG_20170709_135708 (Medium).jpgIMG_20170709_135733 (Medium).jpg

I don't believe I have ever seen anyone test to see if handguards supported at both ends are more precise than free floated.
If anyone knows, please let me know.

[rabiddawg]

Being 61 and having years of experience with the military handguards how exactly are they obsolete? They work, are cheap to replace and they are supported at both ends.

My only problem with them is they are a pain in the ars to remove and put back on. I have replaced every one and threw them in the garbage

[paulw]

Being 61 and having years of experience with the military handguards how exactly are they obsolete? They work, are cheap to replace and they are supported at both ends.

This thought occurred to me as I am about to turn 60 and don't believe the original handguards are obsolete either, I have both an AR Stoner upper and a BCA 16" barrel.....

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I don't believe I have ever seen anyone test to see if handguards supported at both ends are more precise than free floated.
If anyone knows, please let me know.

My service rifle upper has a traditional clamshell handguard mounted on a steel free-floating tube so it looks like an as-issued M16, but sling pressure doesn't deflect the barrel and effect accuracy.

[LRRPF52]

If you want an FSB installed on a new barrel, there are quality shops with the jig to do it so it is Top Dead Center and not bungled like someone unfamiliar with the operation would do.

ADCO or Retro Arms Works can do it. Retro Arms has a jig specifically set-up to do TDC with the FSB alignment.

http://www.retroarmsworks.com

You will have less accuracy potential and trap more heat behind the FSB with the 1957-1959 AR15 handguard arrangement.

Nowadays, the main people that prefer the old handguard set-ups (there are several starting with 601 triangular drain hole HGs with Bakelite construction painted over in OD Green, then transitional triangular with phenolic resin mixed with newer plastics that were a mottle black, then more of a glass nylon in the late 1960s/early 70s).

Most of the after-market imitation carbine handguard are absolute garbage, will start smoking on you very quickly, and are not built to anywhere near the specs Colt carbine handguards were, and those will start smoking on you too, just won't melt or deform under rapid fire.

Here are some of my retros:

[rickt300]

I like the A1 shorty setup. Are you using a gasblock small enough to fit under the handguard or the front sight gasblock?