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Posted: 3/11/2008 3:40:06 PM EDT
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Hi all. As a former righty that had to turn lefty (shotgun to right wrist), I've been interested in converting my Colt AR to a lefty configuration for some time now. I already have the ambi safety and mag catch, so that's not an issue. With the desire to transform my rifle into a tactical carbine, I figured I might has well build up the upper as a lefty. A buddy gave me a left handed bolt assembly that uses a standard carrier (so I could keep the right sided forward assist). He also got me an A2 upper with the ejection port machined on the left side. I assume it's a DPMS, but I'm not sure. My experience with DPMS isn't the best, but the stuff was essentially free (he owed me money and I knew he'd likely never pay me back, so this was better than nothing). I've been reading all I can about the Stag upper assemblies and the ones from DPMS. I've also read through several threads on here and a couple other forums and can't seem to find answers to my specific concern, so I thought I'd ask.... The DPMS appears to use a standard carrier with a modified bolt. I assume that would mean the cam remains on the left side of the upper and continues to rotate the bolt counterclockwise to lock up. The A2 upper I have is like this, but the Flattop model picture I saw by them doesn't look like the left side of the receiver is set up for that. The A2: http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/images/?type=small&id=2098 The Flattop: http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/images/?type=small&id=1350 I understand the Stag leftys use a mirror image carrier so the FA would be on the left side. Since I already have a Colt carrier, I'd just as soon keep the FA on the right side. That would eliminate the Stag Arms setup. Plus, I don't think they sell just the upper receivers anyway. Plus I think the Stag setup would rotate the bolt clockwise and would thus prefer the barrel extenstion made with the lugs set up for clockwise rotation, though I've heard this isn't necesarilly required. My question is.... Has anyone had any experience with the DPMS flattop upper and does the bolt indeed rotate counterclockwise to lockup? I've heard that they don't have a FA on them. Could someone confirm that as well please? Thanks Corbin Das [email protected] P.S. I see that the DPMS flattop lefty has the rail "slightly higher than an A3 upper". I'm wondering how much I'd have to compensate if I added a flip up rear site. The front site can only adjust so much. |
| The DPMS LH upper uses a standard RH carrier and it rotates inside the upper the same direction as any RH assy. The Stag is a mirror image opposite and they aren't interchangeable. The Stag carrier also vents the spent gasses used to operate the carrier out the left side where as the DPMS vents it inside the upper. The Stag is by far the best because of that, and yes I own both plus some regular RH rifles. |
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Thanks guys I originally had thought about just getting a forged upeer blank and machining it out with a lefty ejection, but the Stag upper might be a better way to go. Here's the blank I saw over at DSA: http://www.dsarms.com/images/1002.jpg I have a milling machine, and the specs, but it still seems like a lot of work if I could just get a Stag upper instead. Granted, I already have the barrel that I don't think has an ambi extention on it and the bolt I already own is set up for a standard carrier. Perhaps I could save the bolt for something else. How hard is it to get the extension changed out though? Thanks again. |
I sent my ER Shaw barrel to White Oak Precision and had John Holliger install the Stag Ambi-Extension that I bought from Stag for my Varmint build. Cost me $72 plus my shipping the barrel to him. Great work, and turn-around was about 12 days. I just built my lefty AR on a Stag lefty upper, and I can tell you it shoots nice, has a great finish and functions perfectly. +1 for running Stag lefty upper assemblies! |
Yes, that is correct. I bought one and had White Oak Precision install it for me. I do not have the correct equipment to install and time the barrel extension so I had a professional do it for me. My father is a machinist, so we are going to work on making a barrel vice and other equipment needed to perfectly time the barrel extension with the gas port on the barrel. This way we can perform this modification in our shop when I build a new AR instead of sending it out to be done. |
| "How hard is it to get the extension changed out though?" If you are a machinist you most likely wouldn't have any problems changing one out with the proper tools; however there may be some issues with the gas port timing and headspace that may require some additional work but is fixable. (I sometimes build my own barrels from blanks) I am not sure how much variation there is in barrel extensions between the different manufactures which might complicate matters. I have used a regular right hand barrel on a left hand Stag upper and it does function, but believe it would be best to use the LH extension. |
Here is my Varmint build on a Stag lefty upper assembly. You won't be disappointed if you go with a Stag lefty system. |
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Getting an extra LH stag bolt and carrier is no problem as they have them listed on their site and I just got in 2 of each for some new builds. They aren't cheap, but are quality parts and available. As far as drilling new holes in the left side of the DPMS carrier, I thought of that too long before Stag came out with a LH, but was hesitant as I wasn't sure how the chrome bore would respond. I didn't want to chance possiblly ruining one in the process. Let us know how it works out if you try it. |
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