Stoner 66A carbine project update (was "Not quite an AR15, but.....") - Page 2

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Stoner 66A carbine project update (was "Not quite an AR15, but.....") (Page 2 of 11)

Posted: 12/6/2017 10:09:28 PM EDT

[#1]

As always, impressed with what you are doing.

Thanks for keeping us informed.

Posted: 12/8/2017 12:04:47 AM EDT

[#2]

Pic#1 from my last post

Pic#3 from my last post

Posted: 12/8/2017 12:17:01 AM EDT

[#3]

Use the img tag instead of the url tag. Or click the little mountain icon instead of the link icon.

Posted: 12/8/2017 10:02:46 AM EDT

[#4]

My phone was not cooperating at all. I finally had to break down and load the app. I hate doing that because apps make it difficult to protect your precious bodily fluids. Anyway....progress on the spare barrels. ......

Hoping more stuff arrives at the shop today.

Posted: 12/8/2017 10:14:55 AM EDT

[#5]

Sweet, you got me beat by half in that last pic. I have 1 bolt and three extensions. I hope someday to do a build too. Just waiting for that 80%er.

Thanks for more pics!

Posted: 12/17/2017 6:25:05 PM EDT

[#6]

The past few weeks have been pretty mundane. Waiting my turn for the CNC machines to turn some Commando and carbine barrels. Working on parts to make the gun semi auto. Prepping other parts to fit on the project. One of my project sponsors needed an AR carbine build for a customer, so I made a lightweight barrel out of a botched M4 profile ( the 203 cut was off by a few thousands) and parked it.....and drilled for and installed an FSB. And the best part was, while I was digging through my build parts to finish out the barrel, I found some long lost Colt factory 633 floor sweepings from the 1990's. Now I can build a 633 upper

Posted: 12/18/2017 6:06:14 PM EDT

[#7]

Commando and carbine barrels working. It's like waiting for your kid to be born. Parted off, turned on center and started chambering. First one headspaced dead on.

All chambered.

Posted: 12/21/2017 7:50:39 PM EDT

[#8]

Commando and carbine barrels profiled. Fluting next.

Posted: 12/21/2017 9:14:48 PM EDT

[#9]

Machining skills + Retro is always a win in my book.

Posted: 12/21/2017 10:49:14 PM EDT

[#10]

Or having access to skills and machines. I'm an employee, but I still paid a pretty penny for them to do a run for me.

Posted: 12/22/2017 1:47:34 PM EDT

[#11]

Still loving it. I'm looking for a carbine bbl for my parts display gun, but want a real shooter bbl just in case some day someone makes 80%rs.

Keep me in mind?

BTW- This has been a fun thread to follow

Posted: 12/23/2017 8:40:21 PM EDT

[#12]

The more I look into the Stoner family of guns the more it makes me want one, lol.

Posted: 1/9/2018 10:51:35 PM EDT

[#13]

Fitted an airsoft stock to an original stock mounting piece. It put up a helluva fight, but I won. It's getting there.

Posted: 1/9/2018 11:09:51 PM EDT

[#14]

A shortened length of threaded rod will be anchored in the hollow of the stock by which to attach the mounting bracket.
Probably will fill with fiberglass resin mixed with a granular filler.

Posted: 1/9/2018 11:57:03 PM EDT

[#15]

Posted: 1/12/2018 10:51:15 PM EDT

[#16]

Cut the anchor rod down to 7" and glued the t-nuts and coupler in place.

It will look better when it cures and I sand it.

Plastic wrapped styrofoam plug came right out leaving a nice plug to keep the foam from oozing out of the front end. Fill it with the appropriate am out of expando foam, let it cure, then reinstall the butt plate.

Posted: 1/13/2018 12:29:35 AM EDT

[#17]

Nicely done. I'm fond of threaded metal reinforcement and 2-part epoxy for rifle stocks.

Posted: 1/14/2018 12:00:59 PM EDT

[#18]

Thanks. Picked up few more items to display with it when I'm done.

I know the pouch is not correct vintage. Will dig out a correct one when I have more time.

Posted: 1/18/2018 11:50:02 PM EDT

[#19]

Four applications of Great Stuff expanding foam with the appropriate time between
layers to cure. It's now nice and solid, maybe with an extra 3 to 4 ounces weight to the stock.

Posted: 1/20/2018 10:43:18 AM EDT

[#20]

Looking good. Can't wait to see it finished.

Posted: 2/9/2018 3:39:39 PM EDT

[#21]

Finished up my fixed stock. Sanded and painted the part that goes under the metal stock attachment piece. Waiting on barrels, fixtures, and for me to make a couple small, critical parts and we'll get her welded together and test fired. Then I'll phosphate all the parts that need it.

Posted: 2/9/2018 7:51:12 PM EDT

[#22]

Excellent update!

Posted: 2/9/2018 8:51:18 PM EDT

[#23]

Nice rifle

Posted: 2/9/2018 11:02:15 PM EDT

[#24]

Looks great, I’m enjoying being along for the ride. Thanks for the update.

Posted: 2/9/2018 11:45:35 PM EDT

[#25]

That's hot.

Do you happen to know what the twist is on your barrel? Is that the original barrel or did you make one?

About a decade ago I was hanging out in a Library with the wife and kids and came across this book called "The Teams" and it was about SEALS, I think mostly in Vietnam. And I just about jumped out of my chair when I read that they fed the stoner Light rifle (I think the 63a) with 68 and 77 grain FMJ ammo. I think those were the right weights. Or 69 and 75. It seemed opposite of what the Hornady / Sierra match ammo was. (Sierra has 69/77 and hornady has 68/75).

Anyways... it was heavier than M193. FMJ. I was like waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?. And then I posted it on here and took some crap for it but somebody in the know confirmed it.

Anyways... point being, I was curious if it had a faster twist than 1/12 if they inteded to shoot some of the same ammo that the Stoner Light Rifle was using.

Posted: 2/9/2018 11:53:20 PM EDT

[#26]

The black carbine barrel shown with the parts is original and if I'm not mistaken 1/12 twist. The ones I'm having made are 1/7 twist in 5.56 NATO chambering.

Posted: 2/10/2018 3:43:54 AM EDT

[#27]

Nice work! I trust you are planning to run this by technical branch for a OK? If not you may have a substantial surprise in store.

On your barrel reproduction effort. Take the time to Mag Partical Test all the barrel extentions you plan to reuse in your project. You will find many do not pass for this reason alone, plus many others. BTW some reproductions were built in Ohio that are way out off spec so be carefull what you are working with.

Posted: 2/10/2018 9:34:48 AM EDT

[#28]

Thanks for the advice. The barrel company is doing NDT of the extensions as part of the contract (either MPT or x-ray). Only using USGI extensions. I have an aftermarket one and it stands out like a sore thumb. As far as FTB, I appreciate the concern. It's not being made for resale or volume production (just one for me). It has more than enough blocks and modifications to prevent full auto parts addition which I've detailed here already. I'll post photos as the build continues. Thanks again!

Posted: 2/10/2018 10:03:50 AM EDT

[#29]

Modified the airsoft hand guard to fit the original rifle mag well.

Posted: 2/10/2018 2:40:03 PM EDT

[#30]

Posted: 2/14/2018 4:55:41 PM EDT

[#31]

Made a fixture to hold the gas tube in place for welding. Consists of a 1/2"x16" piece of round aluminum rod, three 1/2" hose clamps, and two approx 5/8"long sections of salvaged 63A gas tube section. Had to polish the aluminum rod down a hair so that the gas tube friction fits. Small C clamps will hold it in place if needed. The hose clamp tabs rest snugly against the tube /op rod channel in the front of the receiver to help keep the gas tube holes lined up. Next I get to make one to hold the trunion in place for welding.

Posted: 2/24/2018 4:42:24 PM EDT

[#32]

Still working on welding fixtures, but I got a new accessory for my Stoner carbine/rifle set up. Yay! I promised myself I would not collect any more stuff, but what is the point of having a bayonet lug on a Stoner and not have a bayonet?

Posted: 2/24/2018 5:05:52 PM EDT

[#33]

Posted: 2/24/2018 5:35:18 PM EDT

[#34]

Posted: 2/24/2018 7:09:02 PM EDT

[#35]

awesome!

Posted: 2/24/2018 8:33:05 PM EDT

[#36]

This thread fills me with mixed emotions.

I love that you’re doing this and have the skills and resources to make it happen

I’m sad that I will never have one

I’m angry at Robinson for only going half way with the M96 and then abandoning owners

And then I’m sad for me and others again that we will never have the chance to experience such a cool rifle

Posted: 2/24/2018 9:15:19 PM EDT

[#37]

A group of guys are working on 63 receivers, barrels, flash suppressors, furniture etc. A couple gents have purchased large quantities of chopped up Stoners and are harvesting parts. Maybe, just maybe enough parts will be available for people to build their own. Maybe a couple of larger manufacturers will get involved. We are prodding them. Then again, maybe MKE will make them. They have a rifle they can reverse engineer and are more than capable of doing it. Know what you mean about Robarms. Bought an M96 in 1999 and sold it in 2013. A real Stoner has always eluded me. When available, didn't have the money. When I had the money, no Stoners around. Now I'm just too old to have than much tied up in a gun. The semi will suit me fine.

Posted: 2/24/2018 10:05:54 PM EDT

[#38]

Can't wait to get her engraved, welded, ejection port cut, test fired, and phosphated.

Posted: 2/25/2018 12:59:57 AM EDT

[#39]

That is sooooo frigging cool!

Posted: 2/25/2018 1:17:09 AM EDT

[#40]

Sweet!

Posted: 2/28/2018 1:10:58 PM EDT

[#41]

First one fluted. Not bad. Needs a little polishing...then caliber and twist engraving....then feed testing....then port drilling....then phosphating.....then a gas block installed.....then test firing...

Posted: 2/28/2018 1:42:03 PM EDT

[#42]

Almost halfway there.

Posted: 2/28/2018 3:17:52 PM EDT

[#43]

Nice!

Posted: 2/28/2018 5:27:49 PM EDT

[#44]

This is bar none, one of the coolest threads and projects I've ever seen on this site!

Posted: 2/28/2018 5:41:48 PM EDT

[#45]

Thanks all!

Posted: 2/28/2018 9:13:01 PM EDT

[#46]

Amazing work!

Posted: 2/28/2018 9:38:02 PM EDT

[#47]

Posted: 3/11/2018 5:34:54 PM EDT

[#48]

Trunnion alignment welding fixture finished. The long, pointy end goes into the barrel's chamber/bore (hence the brass) and holds everything in line during the initial tack welds of the trunnion to the receiver. Barrel and carrer group then come out and trigger housing and mag well are remved. A copper plug goes in the trunnion bore, then the trunnion pins are inserted and welded in place. I'll post photos of that process when we get to it.