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Posted: 11/2/2016 1:12:39 PM EDT
| I just ordered a stripped Aero Precision 16" CMV barrel and I called to see if it came dimpled or drilled for pins and tech support told me it comes with one dimple. I'm wanting to go about this in a relatively efficient manner without spending too much money. What I'm asking for is recommendations for tools and your advice on how to tackle this with efficiency. What receiver block would you recommend for a decent price? Wanting to get an A2 FSB so I don't have to buy a sight on top of getting a gas block but I cannot seem to find a complete set screw A2 FSB. The sights I've found are strictly the housing without the detent, spring, post, and tool. Can anyone link me to some websites that have a set screw A2 FSB that would also have the tool, sight post, spring, and detent? I don't mind so much buying all the parts from one website as I do having to buy from multiple websites paying for shipping each time. Lastly, can anyone recommend a decent factory barrel nut tool? This is the first big change I'm making on rifle so I'm pretty new to this. Decided to switch from 300BLK to 556/223 for plinking since ammo is readily available and is somewhat inexpensive. Thanks in advance. |
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If you can't find a gasblock with built in sight with all the parts included, no offense, but you aren't trying very hard. Within a couple minutes I had found 3 of them. Two flip ups, and one old school military style type. Out of those three, this is probably the one that I would use: http://rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=375
FWIW, though, most of them are coming without the guts, because the options for sight posts these days, are about as numerous as muzzle device or handguard styles. With fiber optic, tritium, varying shapes and sizes, etc. Just make sure that you don't get one that requires being pinned, or you will find yourself looking for a few more specialized tools that you aren't likely to ever use again. |
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Shoulda got a barrel with a FSB already on it.
You have a nice lever merely clamped on to your rifle that will effect not only the sights but how the gun operates if/when it gets bumped wrong and the FSB turns on the barrel. When I was trying to find a 1:7 A2 20" a year ago I searched and searched on alternatives. Before finding a barrel how I wanted (Windham) I looked into the clamp on FSB and had a hard time finding much positive press on them. |
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Moly Grease (assembly lube for threaded parts). > Link.
Clamshell upper receiver vise blocks (for barrel nut installation/removal). > Link. Barrel blocks (for muzzle devise installation/removal). > Link. Barrel wrenches. > Link. > Link. Stock wrenches. > Link. > Link. You will need a Vise and a torque wrench too. Do not buy a Reaction Rod. 
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Quoted:
Shoulda got a barrel with a FSB already on it. You have a nice lever merely clamped on to your rifle that will effect not only the sights but how the gun operates if/when it gets bumped wrong and the FSB turns on the barrel. When I was trying to find a 1:7 A2 20" a year ago I searched and searched on alternatives. Before finding a barrel how I wanted (Windham) I looked into the clamp on FSB and had a hard time finding much positive press on them. I was considering the clamp on style but I called Aero Precision and they said their barrels are dimpled for set screw gas blocks, which is what I'm looking for in the A2 sight |
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Quoted:
I just ordered a stripped Aero Precision 16" CMV barrel and I called to see if it came dimpled or drilled for pins and tech support told me it comes with one dimple. I'm wanting to go about this in a relatively efficient manner without spending too much money. What I'm asking for is recommendations for tools and your advice on how to tackle this with efficiency. What receiver block would you recommend for a decent price? Wanting to get an A2 FSB so I don't have to buy a sight on top of getting a gas block but I cannot seem to find a complete set screw A2 FSB. The sights I've found are strictly the housing without the detent, spring, post, and tool. Can anyone link me to some websites that have a set screw A2 FSB that would also have the tool, sight post, spring, and detent? I don't mind so much buying all the parts from one website as I do having to buy from multiple websites paying for shipping each time. Lastly, can anyone recommend a decent factory barrel nut tool? This is the first big change I'm making on rifle so I'm pretty new to this. Decided to switch from 300BLK to 556/223 for plinking since ammo is readily available and is somewhat inexpensive. Thanks in advance. Front sight base: http://www.fulton-armory.com/frontsightbaseforgedpowerwedgewsetscrewswbayolug.aspx https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/shop/highpower-competition/front-sights-components.html. Looks like you'll probably have to buy and install a front sight post, detent and detent spring. 
I'll leave the tool suggestions to others. I'd spend the extra money on a Reaction Rod, a good barrel nut wrench, and a good set of pin punches. I usually recommend THIS BOOK to new builders, but there may be better ones out there now. |
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The problem with clamp on A2 FSBs is that they move. The clamps do not really hold if they are struck, as such sights tend to have happen. Clamp on sights are mostly for those who use their rifles in national match competition where rules require A2 front sights. Clamp on front sights permit very fine adjustment to remove all possible left-right cant that can make a huge difference when shooting with irods at long range. Those rifles get babied.
If you expect your rifle to be durable, you need to either replace that barrel with one with a pre-installed drilled and taper pin attached A2 FSB, or need to get the tools, jig and drill press, proper drill bit and taper pin reamer and do it yourself. You could also send the barrel off to a company like ADCO to do it for you, but that may be cost prohibitive compared to selling your barrel and getting one with the fixed front sight already installed. If you want to try it yourself, here is a good video. I followed it and got excellent results. But, I have a drill press and all the other tools, correct drill bits, reamers and such. The most challenging part is carefully aligning the sight so that it is exactly in line with the barrel extension index pin, and that it is spaced off of the shoulder the correct amount for use of the front plate for a mil spec carbine stock. Then everything must be held rigidly in place while one hole is drilled. Once it is drilled, that hole can be temporarly pinned with a drill bit through both the FSB and the barrel, while the other hole is drilled. Then you use the taper reamer. Sounds complex, but is simple. You just really need to keep everything very rigid and have precise control of the drilling. This video is in two parts. Be sure to watch both. If you think you are up to the challenge, it is very satisfying. If not, consider selling the barrel and getting one with the FSB already installed. 
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