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Posted: 2/29/2008 6:28:22 PM EDT
| Has anyone installed one of these? I know there are some specific tools needed, but it doesn't seem that tough. Would I be biting off more than I can chew? Some of the free floats seem to indicate that a gunsmith is needed for the install, so I was looking for some opinions from the average joe. I break down my work guns on a regular basis for cleaning after range time with minimal tools/effort, but this would be a new one for me. Thanks. |
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I just installed one on my 6920 - it's much better to use a real upper receiver block like Brownells sells than the one shown. The full wrap around upper block is made to take the torque of rebarreling. Also, you may have to tighten, loosen and retighten the barrel nut several times before you get the gas port hole to line up perfectly with the barrel nut hole. On a standard barrel nut, the barrel nut hole does not have to line up perfectly to get the gas tube through, BUT on a railed forend, it must be perfectly centered or the top rail will not be sraight with the receiver rail. Since LaRue's retention system with the pins going into the barrel nut is so precise, extra care should be taken to get the hole as "centered" as possible. Do not forget the moly grease on the receiver threads. Also, if you don't have the Brownells FSB blocks, a hockey puck will work if you're careful. Be sure to put the FSB pins back in the right way (.012" taper) and pound them back in pretty hard(not while upper is in vise). Good Luck |
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I don't have the lower receiver block for the vice. Has anyone had them installed at their local gunshop? If I went that route, would I be looking at the same money it could cost me to buy what I need to do it myself? The Larue is definitely my first choice. There are easier do it yourself handguards out there and this is definitely one of those things you need the right tools to do. I just don't want to talk myself out of the Larue in exchange for saving a little effort. If anyone has gone this route, thanks in advance. |
 I installed my LaRue 9.0 myself on my Denny's Guns/ GTS Operator midlength gas system 16" barrel and Colt 6721 upper I used the following tools: FSB block (a hockey puck square shape block from ADCO) Upper receiver action block with a center core piece (from Bravo Company) YHM handguard installation wrench (from Bravo Co.) Sears rubber-plastic two piece strap wrench set Sears pin punch set Large ball peen hammer Medium size shop vise I also used my AR detachable carry handle to line up the handguard rail with the upper receiver rail. I prefer to use the handguard installation tool because of its more robust pins, I did it like the installation video, applied moly grease on the upper threads, snugged the barrel nut three times then tightened it to the next hole lining up the gas hole and barrel nut hole. I checked my gas hole and rail alignment with my detachable carry handle, tightened the handguard ring with the strap wrench, installed the two anti rotation device fasteners with the supplied blue Loctite. The hardest part for me was installing my FSB taper pins, I had to use a large ball peen hammer, FSB block and I have to pound it like I mean it, which is not the same as they shown on the video. Then last I checked that there is no binding of the gas tube with my bolt carrier key. My local gunsmiths gave me pretty much the same price of $50 to install my rails but I wanted to learn how to do it and I'm planning to build more ARs myself so I invested in my tools. Denny of Global Tactical will install the LaRue rails for free if you buy it and the upper half from him, contact him at his industry section forum to get a quote for the rail and installation on your upper. More installation instructions here: Assemble Your Own LOWER, UPPER, FREE FLOAT, TRIGGER, GAS BLOCK - Step by Step Instructions - tacked thread link |
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