How to destroy a Bushmaster$$$
After lookin through the thread showing off everyone's builds, I got the wild hare up my a$$ and decided to start toying some more with my two ARs. I have a RRA I bought from a coworker with a POF industries Predator 9" FF rail on it. I also have a BM M4A3 14.5" with a cheapo UTG rail on it. A few days ago I ordered a YHM gas block and also a Troy Ind 13.8 FF rail with the included gas block.
My plan was to put the troy 13.8" rail on my RRA and swap the POF 9" rail onto my Bushmaster. Cool deal.
A few days later my YHM gas block came in and I decided to try and put it on the Bushmaster. This is where the s*** started to hit the fan.
I knew before I started this endeavor that the 'Izzy' flash hider POS was 'permanently welded' onto the business end of the barrel. Looking back, my first mistake was trying this mickey mouse operation without a barrel clamp for my vise. I opted for a used bicycle innertube. But I'm a hard headed SOB and pretty determined so I went for it.
I wrapped the barrel with the awesome rubber innertube and clamped it into the bench vise. It seemed to hold up until I put that 3/4" wrench onto the Izzy and really started to crank on it and the barrel started to rotate in the vise. Here comes the cursing like a pirate stage.
So I cranked the hell out of the vise to the point I was positive the barrel was being crushed and started wrenching again on that flash hider. It actually turned a little bit (about 1/7 turn)! :)
Thats where the progress stopped. When it turned, it didn't seem to be happy. It felt just like when you over tighten a bolt and fell it strip. At this point it didn't want to turn anymore. not to be defeated by a silly rifle, I pulled out the cheater bar (always effective).
After my 4' cheater bar managed to strip the wrench AND the flat surface of the Izzy FH, the tools began flying. :mad:
To shorten things up, I professionally attached a pair of vise grips to the slotted portion of the FH, and proceeded to turn that with my cheater bar. It was a herculian task, but I managed to strip ALL the threads and had this ultra cool silver colored powder come out which I'm assuming is what makes the FH 'welded on'. Far out man.
I did manage to get the front site off easily, and see if my YHM gas block fits (which it did nicely). but there's no point in mounting it on something that looks more messed up than Rosie o'Donnell after a hard night of binge drinking.
So now I'm in the market for a new barrel for my Bushmaster. I'm thinkin a heavy 20" and make this a true coyote rifle.
I'm still waiting for my Troy rail to come in so i can have an epic battle with that rifle. I'll post pics for this stuff when I get the time.
Riley~~~