Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 33

Thread: Considering a Barrel Swap and Free-Float Install

  1. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    6
    Feedback Score
    0
    I am pretty active on other forums and usually just read here but here is my 2 cents. I agree with everyone else - keep your current barrel. There really is not much of a weight savings (at least from my point of view). Here is where I slightly differ. Find an inexpensive round free float tube (choose your length - carbine, mid, or rifle - I like the mid). Cut down your front sight to make it a low profile gas block, Install the free float tube, mark the top dead center and bottom and just install your own rails in the positions you want by drilling and tapping. Saves you $.

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    961
    Feedback Score
    7 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by Q2arrowhunter View Post
    .....I agree with everyone else - keep your current barrel......

    ......Find an inexpensive round free float tube......Cut down your front sight.....and just install your own rails in the positions you want.....
    Thanks for your perspective. I've pretty much decided to hold off on the barrel, and I'll definitely just be chopping the FS. I'll need to decide whether it is worth the extra $ to me to have the full-length top rail -- it will need to hold an X300 as well as a flip-up FS.

    Unrelatedly, entire replacement uppers seem to be well over $1K, whereas Brownells is listing DD lighweight barrels for $260. Just so's I'm clear on this, you do have to remove the barrel to install the FF HG anyway, right?

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    694
    Feedback Score
    11 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by blackscot View Post
    Thanks for your perspective. I've pretty much decided to hold off on the barrel, and I'll definitely just be chopping the FS. I'll need to decide whether it is worth the extra $ to me to have the full-length top rail -- it will need to hold an X300 as well as a flip-up FS.

    Unrelatedly, entire replacement uppers seem to be well over $1K, whereas Brownells is listing DD lighweight barrels for $260. Just so's I'm clear on this, you do have to remove the barrel to install the FF HG anyway, right?

    What are you talking about, bro? $1,000 could buy you a whole new BCM or Colt -- upper and lower, assembled.

    And it depends on what rail/hand guard you decide to use. If you go with the Alpha Rail, you do not have to remove the barrel because it uses the stock barrel nut. Some you do, some you don't.

    BCM sells uppers without the BCG/CH (which you already have) for like $389. If you want a BCG/CH then you can find deals on Gandrtactical.com and here on the Equipment Exchange for a bit more. I know Grant sells complete Colt uppers with the BCG, CH, Magpul sights, Magpul MOE Handguards, etc for $550 but he is currently out of stock. All you'd need for a complete rifle for that would be any $150 lower you can scrounge up.. and it'd be a damn fine gun too... but this is a little irrelevant.....
    Last edited by djmorris; 04-26-12 at 15:36.

  4. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    961
    Feedback Score
    7 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by djmorris View Post
    What are you talking about, bro? $1,000 could buy you a whole new BCM or Colt -- upper and lower, assembled......
    I was looking at this kind of stuff:

    https://danieldefense.com/upper-receiver-groups.html

    http://www.laruetactical.com/larue-t...r-system-lt011

    Quote Originally Posted by djmorris View Post
    .....And it depends on what rail/hand guard you decide to use. If you go with the Alpha Rail, you do not have to remove the barrel because it uses the stock barrel nut. Some you do, some you don't......
    Sorry, I've never disassembled this part of the gun before. I must be getting confused with having to remove just the Delta ring and gas block, which all FF installs require?
    Last edited by blackscot; 04-27-12 at 07:25.

  5. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    SE FL
    Posts
    14,148
    Feedback Score
    5 (100%)
    dunno if you'll find this helpful in your barrel decision.

    ETA:
    I probably wouldn't bother removing the barrel on a gun that's shooting well either, but if fiddle-****-itis has got you (and it gets all of us from time to time) I'd look into the Daniel Defense lightweight midlength. I think it's enough of a departure from what you have M4->A1, button-rifled->hammer-forged, carbine-length->mid-length) that you might actually notice. But you'll get more use out of the longer handguard and save money just shaving the FSB down.
    Last edited by rob_s; 04-27-12 at 07:43.

  6. #16
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    961
    Feedback Score
    7 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by rob_s View Post
    dunno if you'll find this helpful in your barrel decision......
    Thanks. I was wondering how big a weight difference there was M4 barrel vs pencil, but wasn't finding much info on it anywhere. From this, it looks like 2-3 oz.s is hardly worth the trouble/$.

  7. #17
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    NoVA
    Posts
    10,780
    Feedback Score
    17 (100%)
    I'd use a Troy Alpha rail in 11" or 13". I'd also shave the FSB down into a low pro gas block.
    If you tackle this yourself remember S&W taper pins just like Stag come out the shooters left side. Colt and everyone else has them come out the shooters right side.
    Chief Armorer for Elite Shooting Sports in Manassas VA
    Chief Armorer for Corp Arms (FFL 07-08/SOT 02)

  8. #18
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Posts
    961
    Feedback Score
    7 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by Robb Jensen View Post
    I'd use a Troy Alpha rail in 11" or 13". I'd also shave the FSB down into a low pro gas block.
    If you tackle this yourself remember S&W taper pins just like Stag come out the shooters left side. Colt and everyone else has them come out the shooters right side.
    Thanks for chiming in Robb. Your perspective is like money-in-the-bank.

    A 13-inch Troy Alpha it is then, with existing FSB trimmed to-fit. Also, thanks for the reminder on the pins direction -- I recall you pointing this out to me some time ago.

    The only remaining point-of-confusion: Don't I need to remove the barrel nut to remove the Delta ring?

    Now I just need to decide on black or FDE. Anybody know how well Troy's FDE matches Magpul stuff? (I'd be using their CTR stock and MOE PG.)
    Last edited by blackscot; 04-27-12 at 09:31.

  9. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Posts
    694
    Feedback Score
    11 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by blackscot View Post
    I was looking at this kind of stuff:

    https://danieldefense.com/upper-receiver-groups.html

    http://www.laruetactical.com/larue-t...r-system-lt011



    Sorry, I've never disassembled this part of the gun before. I must be getting confused with having to remove just the Delta ring and gas block, which all FF installs require?

    Right, it's all good. Those uppers cost so much because they are complete uppers with the BCG and wearing $400 - $500 rails plus grips, sights, etc.

    I was referring to something more along the lines of this: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-1...g-mid-16lw.htm

    Although BCM has gone up in price a little bit, you can find a really good deal on a barely used upper like the one above on the Equipment Exchange here.

    There's a number of high quality free floating rails out there that actually do utilize the delta ring. So no, you don't always have to remove the delta ring either. You will need to remove the delta ring if you decide to run an Alpha Rail, however.

    As far as the FSB goes, you've always got the option to shave it, swap it for a low-pro gas block, or keep it as is and run a short enough rail. As mentioned before, I kept my FSB intact and am running a 9" Alpha Rail on my mid-length.

    The LW profile is typically a few oz's lighter. It's a noticeable difference for sure, but you're better off cutting the weight in other areas that would be easier (read: cheaper) ...

  10. #20
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Pittsburgh, PA
    Posts
    491
    Feedback Score
    4 (100%)
    Quote Originally Posted by blackscot View Post
    Thanks for chiming in Robb. Your perspective is like money-in-the-bank.

    A 13-inch Troy Alpha it is then, with existing FSB trimmed to-fit. Also, thanks for the reminder on the pins direction -- I recall you pointing this out to me some time ago.

    The only remaining point-of-confusion: Don't I need to remove the barrel nut to remove the Delta ring?

    Now I just need to decide on black or FDE. Anybody know how well Troy's FDE matches Magpul stuff? (I'd be using their CTR stock and MOE PG.)
    If you cut the delta ring off with a dremel, you don't need to remove the barrel nut. Otherwise you do.
    All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.

    -Thomas Jefferson

Page 2 of 4 FirstFirst 1234 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •