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Posted: 4/7/2008 11:47:30 AM EDT
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I have a M4 style AR with the stepped barrel. Can I turn it into a mid-length with the current barrel? If so, other than handguards and a gas tube, what do I need? ranburr |
| as I understand it you'd have to have the existing gas port plugged and a new one drilled closer to the barrel you would also need a new gas tube. Mid length is longer. You'd probably be better off with a new barrel. Is your barrel 14.5 inch or 16? It would probably be easier and cheaper in the long run to just buy a mid length barrel and sell your old one on the EE to recoup some of the cost. |
Because I want a longer handguard (I am 6'4" with long arms). I picked this rifle up as part of a trade, or I would have just bought a mid length model. ranburr |
Sure it can be done. But unless you have a metal lathe and a mig or tig welder the shop fees to have the work done will be very close to the price of a new barrel. And even then the results may not be so good.
Daniel Defense, Troy and a couple others make railed, free float handguards that have cutouts on top for the front sight and are available in both mid length and rifle length. You could also take the above advise about either cutting down or replacing the front sight base so that it will fit under a normal longer free float handguard. |
I'm over 6' 1" with a 37" sleeve length and I got used to the M-4 and the Carbine handguards before I left the Army, YMMV. Unless you want a railed handguard, ala Troy MFR-CX or MI's 17X or 20X , you might want to sell the upper and use the funds to purchase something more to your liking. |
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