AR barrel change

[blackwolfe]

I have a Rock River Arms Tasc rifle that was manufactured during the AWB.  It has a pinned and welded comensator and no bayonet lug on the front sight tower.  I gues I want to be PIC (Politically InCorrect) and have a threaded barrel with a removeable flash hider and a bayonet lug.  If I could afford it I would just buy several EBR's or uppers, but instead was just thinking of getting a new  threaded barrel with a lugged sight tower already mounted on it.  What is involved with changing the barrel on an AR and is it a reasonable do it yourself project.  I don't know much about Ars.
Thanks for your help.

[DesertMarine]

It is not hard to change barrels on ARs.  First you have to find the barrel and accessories that you want.  Then, if you know what you are doing, do it yourself.  Biggest problem is making sure headspace is correct.  If you can't do it, then you need to find someone to do it for you.  Less trouble and worth buying a complete new upper with what you want.

That is what I did.  I have an Olympic AR with 24" match barrel that I wanted to change to 16" barrel.  Cost of barrel, gunsmithing and accessories was equal or more than a new upper.  I got the new upper from Olympic.  Lots of good AR makers out there now.

Have fun. 

[m25operator]

Replacing the barrel is not a big deal compared to others, but you need some basic tools, a upper receiver block to clamp the receiver, and a barrel nut wrench, if this is the only time you see yourself doing this, then find someone to do it for you, my charge would normally be 40-50 bucks, and that includes checking but not correcting the headspace, which is usually fine, but you never take it for granted. If you think you might do this more than once, then buy the tools, and learn the process, the AR is one of the most user friendly arms there is.

[Big Frank]

I've changed several M16 barrels in the army, and some AR-15 barrels of my own. It helps if you get a book that tells you step by step. The army or marine level 3 maintenance Technical Manuals are pretty good. There shouldn't be any headspace problems with a a new barrel. The main tools you need are vise jaws made to hold the barrel or plastic ones that clamp around the upper receiver, a punch for the gas tube roll pin, a barrel wrench, and a torque wrench. You need to grease the barrel threads with Molbdenum Disulfide grease and tourqe the barrel down three times, loosening it in between. It helps to get a barrel nut alignment gauge from Brownells that goes into the bolt carrier key but you can do without. If you don't want to get a book and the proper tools I won't explain any more.

[1776 Rebel]

Anyone have experience with the LaRue Tactical handguards and their special locking barrel nut? I think I buy into the idea of the handguard and torque being addressed, but would like to hear if ya think otherwise or have used them.

http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=89

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

Handgaurds are for hands, and flat-top receivers are for scopes, IMO. You can put a Picatinny rail on any handgaurd or free float tube for $5-$10 if you want a vertical grip. That's what I did. http://www.ergogrips.net/item-detail.cfm?ID=4356-2&storeid=1&image=ergoprail.gif&CFID=28684448&CFTOKEN=75644180

[blackwolfe]

Thank you all for the information.  Jumbofrank, do you know the titles of the manuals you mentioned and know who sells them?
Any hone have any suggestions on what brand of tool to get or what brands to stay away from?

[tombogan03884]

Thank you all for the information.  Jumbofrank, do you titles of the manuals you mentioned and know who sells them?
Any hone have any suggestions on what brand of tool to get or what brands to stay away from?

Try FM 23-9 M16A1 Rifle and Rifle Marksmanship, Try a google search to find these manuals online, that way you can scan through the list and check on the ones that have "M16" in the title. I'll try to find a link for you.

[Big Frank]

I was in the army but have a marine corps M16-A2 manual because at the time I bought it, it was more easily available and up to date. You can actually get an online manual if you search for it. You can get all the tools you need from Brownells. Just tell them you want the AR-15/M-16 CATALOG. Or better yet get the regular catalog with everything in it. The 2008-2009 catalog just came out this month. It costs $5 but comes with a $5 credit on your first order. They have army and marine manuals, plus a civilian book that tell you how to build your AR. You can get everything you need there and not have to pay shipping from several different places. If you get a military technical manual just make sure it's at least a level 3, like TM 9-1005-319-23&P. Get a free PDF here - http://www.stevespages.com/page7c.htm

This is an army manual updated to change 5. I don't know what change 6 and 7 were and if there are others but wouldn't worry about it.

[Big Frank]

Try FM 23-9 M16A1 Rifle and Rifle Marksmanship, Try a google search to find these manuals online, that way you can scan through the list and check on the ones that have "M16" in the title. I'll try to find a link for you.

The FM tells you how to shoot it. TM 9-1005-319-23&P is a repair manual tells you how to fix it. Level 2,3, and Parts is what you need. Level 1 is the operator, level 2 is the unit armorer, levels 3&4 are small arms repairmen who work on them, and level 5 is depot level complete rebuild. Barrel changing is level 3 maintenance.