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Thread: Upgrades: Do it yourself, or not?

  1. #1
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    Upgrades: Do it yourself, or not?

    I am thinking about adding a few new parts to my Colt LE6920. Like a floating rail, flip down front and rear sights, and a few other things. I do not own many of the tools wrenches, vice, ect. to do these add ons. So do I spend the money and purchase what I need or do I take it to a smith.
    What did you do ?

  2. #2
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    Purchased highquality tools.

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    The first thing I wouldn't do is remove the FSB for slip sights. It makes no sense as the FSB is the most secure sight.

    Mounting a rear sight requires a screwdriver. There are plenty of rail options that don't require invasive procedures.



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  4. #4
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    For the free float you will need to get a dremel tool that can be picked up for less than $50 at Walmart brownells has videos with step by step how to do it.

  5. #5
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    I bought the tools except for those for a barrel install/remove as I haven't needed them, yet.

    Bill Tidler Jr.
    **************

    ...We have long maintained that the only accessories that a 1911 needs are a trigger you can manage, sights that you can see, and a dehorning job. That still goes.
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  6. #6
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    Do a mod or two yourself that uses nothing more than some screw drivers and allen wrenches. (new grip and rear sight come to mind)

    You'll start to learn the mechanics of the gun better. You then might become addicted to doing more and more. Get some quality tools like a nice punch set and an armorer's wrench designed for barrel nuts and caslte nuts and go forth from there.
    Last edited by matemike; 02-17-13 at 21:27.
    “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
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  7. #7
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    Are you sure you actually need any of these upgrades? Have you even shot the rifle in its current configuration? Not to be mean, but most people (myself included) can get by just fine with Magpul MOE hand guards, Magpul Vertical Grip, and a light mount kit with the Surefire light of your choice.

    Now, if you have shot the rifle and you do feel that certain upgrades are necessary, then your next step should be to decide what parts you want. If you truly want a free float hand guard, do you want one that has integral rails or one of the newer modular rail systems? The rail system you decide will determine what tools will be necessary and if you choose one of the KAC URX rails then you may find the cost of the wrench alone to be worth having a smith do it. Do you intend to do a lot of work on these rifles or swap out parts often? If so then purchasing tools might be worth it, if you don't then having the smith do the job may be the more cost effective choice.

    If you want a longer hand guard and the front sight post doesn't bother you, look at some of Daniel Defense's options that allow you to leave the FSB intact, along with similar Centurion Arms products. If you can't stand it or want a different rail system, then look into dremeling off the top of the FSB and the bayonet lug in order for you to maintain a pinned gas block. There are a couple of threads that detail the procedure, just use the orange search button at the top of the page.
    "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats." - H. L. Mencken

  8. #8
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    I have shot it and it runs and shoots great I was just looking for some more appealing looks. It has the original forearm that looks dated. I also wanted to get rid of the handle for something different. I have seen a gun I like and the way it looks. Recommendations please. I look to this sight for information, insight, and knowledge.
    so please let me know.

  9. #9
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    Don't change the carbine for looks. Change it to make it better.

    I know I configured my rifles to look the way I wanted them to, but I made sure the parts used would work the way wanted. I use a MOE handguard instead of the standard round handguard, but they only got the nod because they are durable and fit my hand better and give me better control over the rifle.

    I like the looks of the free float handguard on my precision AR, but again I chose them because they fit my hand and allow me to control the rifle better
    INSIDE PLAN OF BOX
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by JOHNNY51966 View Post
    I am thinking about adding a few new parts to my Colt LE6920. Like a floating rail, flip down front and rear sights, and a few other things. I do not own many of the tools wrenches, vice, ect. to do these add ons. So do I spend the money and purchase what I need or do I take it to a smith.
    What did you do ?
    What upgrades and for what specific reasons/purposes?

    When you reference the things you 'need', what are you referring to?

    If you don't know what is required to put a new rear sight on your rifle, you probably aren't in any kind of a position to be spending money on items like a free floating rail.

    For a defensive carbine the list of items to purchase, in my OPINION, goes something like this:

    1. Ammo
    2. A sling
    3. Training. A weekend at an Appleseed is a great place to start.
    4. A light
    5. More ammo
    6. More training
    7. An optic
    8. Other items that you have determined a need for, or desire for due to specific advantages offered, after having put time in behind the gun, shooting it properly and effectively.

    Don't put the cart before the horse.


    There are very few tools required for run of the mill upgrades. Probably, in your searches and reading to determine which choice to go with, you will see all you need about the installation of them.
    Last edited by Warp; 02-17-13 at 22:17.

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