Who can shave an fsb for me?

[FF750]

Sorry if this should be in the Tech or Custom build forum - still learning the nuances of this site so please bear with me.

I'm thinking of getting either a Noveske 14.5" carbine upper receiver group with pinned Vortex or a 16" midlength to eventually build-up a second AR but I'd like to send it to an expert to get the FSB shaved (or a low-profile block swapped in) and a mid/rifle length rail put on (I know that's basically the same as a Noveske Low-profile but those seem thin on the ground from what I can see while Basic uppers are easier to come by).

I know there are some expert gunsmiths here who have shown their work on the forum but as a noob I didn't want to just PM someone out of the blue and make an ass of myself so if any of those experts read this please help me out. I'd like to get an idea how much it would cost and how long it would take (though I'm in no rush - this would be a second gun to the M&P15 I'm trying to spend as much range time with).

I'd also appreciate any input as to what would be the better choice of the two upper groups. I've read some posts that say the midlength gas system is better (smoother action if I understand correctly?) but the shorter barrel is also interesting.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

[spamsammich]

Where are you located? Some of the members here are very good armorers and could probably shave a FSB down for you. gotm4 has posted his work before and it looked like a machined part.

If you're likely to monkey around a lot with your rifle, get the 16" barrel. I don't have a preference for mids or standard carbine gas systems but the fact of the matter is a legal length barrel as a base is a lot more flexible in terms of configuring and customizing if you don't want to go the NFA route.

If you go with a pre-built Noveske N4 14.5" upper, most of them come with the flash hiders pinned so your only recourse is to use 2 piece rail systems like the DD Omega, Troy, etc. If you don't mind doing some work on the barrel, you can cut the flash hider off and permanently affix a new one on after you've installed your rail of choice.

[rob_s]

I've had an FSB shaved by www.adcofirearms.com and was very impressed with the service, finished product, and turnaround time. IMHO the shaved FSB is the most secure and "best" low-profile gas block one can have under a rail, assuming the barrel came stock with an FSB to begin with.

[JSGlock34]

GotM4 from Virginia Arms shaved down the FSB on my LMT. Highly recommended.

[SWATcop556]

GotM4 from Virginia Arms shaved down the FSB on my LMT. Highly recommended.

Robb shaved down the FSB on a BCM 11.5 I have and then installed the Larue 10.0 rail. Quality work.

[Pinnacle]

GotM4 from Virginia Arms shaved down the FSB on my LMT. Highly recommended.

Robb (GotM4) has done this for me three times so far. His work is superb!

[FF750]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm in Arizona but since I wouldn't be in any huge rush I wouldn't mind shipping the upper out as long as I can find someone who does good work.

Still debating whether to plunk the cash down on the Noveske upper though or wait a while now that supply seems to be catching with demand AR-wise. I have the feeling Noveskes are gonna stay hard to come by for a while yet though.

[Mr.Goodtimes]

why dont ya do it yourself dude?

[USMC03]

gotM4 (Robb) does an awesome job. He's done work for me in the past, and I'm getting ready to send him more uppers.


S/F,
Jeff

[FF750]

why dont ya do it yourself dude?

I though about that but I'm not confident that I won't end up doing a half-a$$ed job of it. Never mind making it look bad - I'm more worried about screwing up an otherwise functional block on a gun I might someday need in a self-defense situation. I'd have given it a try if I knew someone near me who had the skills to supervise but the gun freaks I know don't fall in that category lol.

[mayonaise]

A buddy of mine did his one day. We decided to document the process.
http://mayonaise1959.blogspot.com/2008/12/turning-ar-15-front-site-block-into.html

[Buckaroo]

A buddy of mine did his one day. We decided to document the process.
http://mayonaise1959.blogspot.com/2008/12/turning-ar-15-front-site-block-into.html

That deserves to be a sticky!

Thanks

Buckaroo

[LMTRocks]

I did the same thing to my LMT 16" carbine FSB.

http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn346/gunguyshots/P2240015.jpg
http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn346/gunguyshots/P2240016.jpg
http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn346/gunguyshots/P2240018.jpg

The weapon functioned flawlessly after my "mod." Get a grinder out---and leave metal....it can be removed. If you screw up the FSB, get a lo-pro GB for $50 and have an armorer install it.

[Robb Jensen]

Thanks for the recommendations JSGlock34, SWATcop1911, Pinnacle and USMC03 ! :D

Here's what my work looks like after refinishing with dark gray Norrells moly resin.

The 6.5Grendel barrel owner only wanted to top taken off so he wouldn't see it through his scope.

The two BCM 16" middy barrels are owned by the same guy. One is going to be covered with a JP/VTAC tube and the other by a PRI tube (both 12"). The thinner of the two shaves will fit under a LaRue, DD M4 or DD Lite Rail. The top supports have to be a little thinner with some barrel lengths used with some RIS II rails. I did one of each just to show these samples. Both of these will fit under the JP/VTAC and PRI without any problems.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/barrel%20work/shavedFSBs003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/barrel%20work/shavedFSBs006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/barrel%20work/shavedFSBs004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/barrel%20work/shavedFSBs002.jpg

[thumper4fun]

It is obvious you take pride in your work sir! Very impressive looking...my hat's off to you.

[Rock-N-Ruin]

Here's one I did last week.. My angle grinder was dying so I didn't get it as pretty as usual, but function is all I am worried about on this one...


http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/Rock-N-Ruin/FSB1.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/Rock-N-Ruin/FSB3.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/Rock-N-Ruin/FSBfit.jpg
Rock.

[thumper4fun]

Nice job! What kind of coating did you use and what rail is that? Do you have an assembled pic that you can share? I would love to see the finished product.

[JSGlock34]

I'm thinking of getting either a Noveske 14.5" carbine upper receiver group with pinned Vortex or a 16" midlength to eventually build-up a second AR but I'd like to send it to an expert to get the FSB shaved (or a low-profile block swapped in) and a mid/rifle length rail put on (I know that's basically the same as a Noveske Low-profile but those seem thin on the ground from what I can see while Basic uppers are easier to come by).

Looks like Noveske has some low profile carbines in stock.

http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?cat=81&page=1&search=&since=&status=

[Rock-N-Ruin]

Nice job! What kind of coating did you use and what rail is that? Do you have an assembled pic that you can share? I would love to see the finished product.

If you were talking about my mine, it's a MI free float rail 12" and I put some pics up in the AR pic thread assembled.. Rock. ETA: here's a quick finished pic..
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/Rock-N-Ruin/rightside1.jpg

[FF750]

Looks like Noveske has some low profile carbines in stock.

http://noveskerifleworks.com/cgi-bin/imcart/display.cgi?cat=81&page=1&search=&since=&status=

Thanks for the heads-up. I thought about it though and I think I'm gonna wait and build up my skills more with my S&W before blowing a big wad of money on a primo AR like a Noveske.