Bushmaster Action Block ... I've read this is the best option for installing free float rails.
LaRue low profile gas block ... or another quality .75 barrel block that will fit under a larue rail
midlength gas tube of some kind, I destroyed my old one ... I think they are generic.
Free float barrel wrench - A standalone unit, like DPMS makes, or a combo one like olympic arms makes
Moly Grease - I beleive to put on the barrel threads.

Is there one tactical "shop" that has all of these things, or at least most of them?

As it looks right now, I have to buy the bushmaster block direct, the LT gas block from Denny, a midlength gas tube from rock river direct or someplace, and moly grease and a barrel wrench from brownells.

Anyone have a better option?  I dislike buying single items from so many different locations.  I dislike buying direct from manufacturers even more.

Thanks in advance.  I'm now looking for a good place to buy Wilton Vices online.

Hey Randall,

I was actually just looking at another post of yours discussing the larue low profile gas block.

I just want to make sure it works with my barrel ... here is what my barrel looks like, now that I finally hammered off the seriously carbon caked on YHM block with a vise grip/hammer ...





Edit:Questions answered, stupidity on my part.

Thank you for responding. You should be getting some of my money very shortly.

Yes the hole is supposed to be there. It is called the gas port. That is where the gas comes from to operate the action. Without it you would have a single shot. Gas from the bore goes out the hole thru the gas block to the gas tube to the bolt carrier key causing the bolt carrier assembly to cycle.

I had the Brownell's block, but the Bushy I got recently blows it away.  One piece unit instead of two,  appears to lock up more solidly, doesn't leave marks on the upper like the Brownell's clamp did.

Duggan,

I've read this thread and your thread asking about the YHM barrel nut and I have to say that there a things you need a lot more than the 5 items on your list.  In fact,
I'm going to politely suggest that you not spend single dime on any parts or tools and do not allow another tool to come into contact with any of your firearms until you have done the following:

- Go to "manuals and downloads" in the information section of this web site and thoroughly read and understand the military armorer's manual available in .pdf format.

- Go to the build it yourself forum and read and understand all of the tacked theads

- Post a message in the hometown section for your state and find somebody in your area who can spend an hour or so reviewing the fundamentals with you.  If you were closer I'd hook you up but NY is too far of a drive with today's gas prices.


I am not trying to discourage you in any way.  Far from it, I hope you build many, many ARs over the coming years.  But I read your other post where you couldn't figure out how to remove the gas tube and wondered if you could dremel away the big threaded thing at the rear of the barrel and find a barrel nut.  I'm looking at this thread and see that you don't see that the pins on the barrel wrench can fit in the holes on the barrel nut and you don't even know that there's supposed to be a hole in the barrel so that gas can get into the gas tube and make the action cycle.  I'm thinking that you simply don't have enough knowledge to be doing this work.  Put the tools down, step away from the work bench, spend some time reading the stuff I listed above and make sure you know what's what before you pick up any more tools.  None of this stuff is too hard to do but if you fuck it up then somebody could die.  

I couldn't agree more. I think that you should take the above advice. I didn't want to say too much but you must understand how the rifle functions before you attempt to build or re-fit what you have.

Ok, fair enough.

I have the m16 military manual, I just have not really read much of it.

This is an old barrel I have had for awhile, so I am being rather reckless with my methods, as I don't really mind ruining components in the name of education.  When it comes to actually putting parts together and building, I am much more careful than when it comes to demolition.  I tend to just brute force my way in when it comes to taking old components apart that I will never use again anyways.  Bad habit that carries over from years of building computers.

But I suppose you are right, I will further read/research this process before I rebuild this upper.  These posts have been an attempt on my part to educate myself, while also working on the project at hand ...

I still need tools though ...

Edit:  I always wondered how the hell the gas system got started.  Oh well.  Live, learn and embarass yourself.  :)

Quoted: Oh well.  Live, learn and embarass yourself.  :)

We all had to start somewhere so there's no need for embarrasment and please don't hesitate to ask questions about things that aren't making sense.  Pride hurt on the Internet is a lot less painful than having something go wrong at the range.  When the weapon fires there is a lot of pressure involved and it can ruin your day if something fails.  I'm all for experience and along the way I've broken more hardware in the name of 'education' than I'll ever admit to while sober, but safety always has to come first.
You know that cliche about how it's all fun and games until somebody puts an eye out?  Well in this case that's no BS.  

It won't take you much time at all to get the basics down and then you'll be building them as fast as you can afford the parts.  Not sure if that's good or bad, though.  BRD is a horrible affliction and you're obviously as infected as the rest of us.    I had to go buy a new safe this afternoon because the old one was too small and I couldn't fit everything inside.