Using a Barrel Vise to build an upper receiver?

AR-15 » Build It Yourself

AR Sponsor:

Site Notices

TNVC Partners With Envision Technology - MARS Rangefinder Family, MARS-Lc!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Using a Barrel Vise to build an upper receiver?

Posted: 8/24/2005 3:50:03 PM EDT

I was looking at a .pdf of the old Marine Corp. M16 rifle/tech manual. It showed only using a barrel vise (and mil-spec barrel wrench) for attaching the barrel to the upper receiver, no action block or anything around the receiver. Is this a bad way to assemble an upper? It would be convenient to use one for both the receiver and flash suppressor. Why is this a bad idea?

EDIT: I have an older mil-spec barrel wrench that requires a 1/2 breaker bar or torque wrench (have 2 of those) to use.

Posted: 8/24/2005 4:50:25 PM EDT

[#1]

It can be done. You have to remember, when those manuals were written the modern armorers blocks probably did not exist. I prefer the armorers block and a good after market armorers wrench.

Posted: 8/24/2005 4:55:23 PM EDT

[#2]

You need both. You can barrel with barrel vise jaws, but you run a pretty good chance of ending up with a canted front sight base.

Posted: 8/24/2005 5:16:33 PM EDT

[#3]

It would be convenient to use one for both the receiver and flash suppressor. Why is this a bad idea?

This is my home made FAL barrel vise. Those wood blocks are two pieces of oak pallet that I cut a channel in and used to barrel many FALs.

I've also used them in a regular vise to torque AR flash suppressors. Dust the channel with a little rosin (available at Big 5 for use on baseball bats) to prevent the barrel from spinning in the blocks when clamping and torquing the barrel.

Found a pic with a barrel in a vise:

Posted: 8/24/2005 7:12:11 PM EDT

[#4]

OK, I am sure this sounds pretty newb, but wouldn't it be better to use the action block / armorer's wrench for the barrel nut to upper receiver interface, and the barrel vise / whatever wrench for the FH to barrel interface?

Posted: 8/24/2005 7:19:46 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
OK, I am sure this sounds pretty newb, but wouldn't it be better to use the action block / armorer's wrench for the barrel nut to upper receiver interface, and the barrel vise / whatever wrench for the FH to barrel interface?

ding ding ding ding..... You win!

Posted: 8/24/2005 7:51:54 PM EDT

[#6]

thanks for the info. I'll get both.

I don't want to chance a canted front sight with a free float tube install.

Posted: 8/25/2005 7:36:43 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:

ding ding ding ding..... You win!

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Using a Barrel Vise to build an upper receiver?

AR-15 » Build It Yourself

AR Sponsor:

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us