New AR barrels and gas blocks question...

[VanillaGuerrilla]

So I'm looking to put together my first AR and am wondering about new barrels. Most of the ones I see look like they don't have the little dimples that hold the gas block or sight post. Is this something the average hack can do to a barrel? Are there alternatives? Thanks gents.

 

[insulinboy]

You either get a new barrel that needs to be drilled and tapped for a sight post, put a clamp style front post in it, or buy a pre assembled barrel with sight post already attached. Sight posts have to be matched to the barrel and are not interchangable between barrels once drilled, they do make special tools to make it easy but it will run you about $100.

 

[VanillaGuerrilla]

You either get a new barrel that needs to be drilled and tapped for a sight post, put a clamp style front post in it, or buy a pre assembled barrel with sight post already attached. Sight posts have to be matched to the barrel and are not interchangable between barrels once drilled, they do make special tools to make it easy but it will run you about $100.

Cool thanks. You have any experience with theach clamp style? Wonder if they are reliable?

 

[StateLine]

If you're talking about installing an A-frame mil spec type front sight assembly, its more than just dimples. Those taper pins are drilled all the way through the bottom portion of barrel. Its seems like most people are more interested in REMOVING the A-frame and installing a low pro gas block. If you want the A-frame, honestly you're better off just buying an M4 style barrel with the assembly already installed. At that point, you might as well just buy a complete upper.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/8555/category/4220/

 

[VanillaGuerrilla]

If you're talking about installing an A-frame mil spec type front sight assembly, its more than just dimples. Those taper pins are drilled all the way through the bottom portion of barrel. Its seems like most people are more interested in REMOVING the A-frame and installing a low pro gas block. If you want the A-frame, honestly you're better off just buying an M4 style barrel with the assembly already installed. At that point, you might as well just buy a complete upper.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/catalog/product/view/id/8555/category/4220/

Looking to do an idf style carbine build. Fast and light.

 

[Allsmiles]

Get a barrel from Integrity Arms and have them dimple it for you (cost $15). They have some very nice barrels for reasonable prices and all the rest of the upper and lower parts that you might need. Below is a link to their barrels. The spiral fluted ones are really nice if you want to go that route.

http://www.customar15.net/product-category/ar-15-upper-receivers/barrels-ar-15-upper-receivers/

 

[user 71]

Looking to do an idf style carbine build. Fast and light.

How authentic do you want it to be?

DPMS still offers those A1 stripped uppers for around $60 when you can find them on sale or at CDNN. You could throw in that DPMS 11.5" barrel (pinned to 16" with flash hider) for $129 that brownells is offering. A1 style grip and Model 1 sales fiberlite clone stock and you're well on your way...but...the forward assist and deflector make it more of a C7/8 clone than a true IDF build.

Authentic would be a pencil profile barrel at 14.5" or the complete retro carbine uppers from Fulton armory would get you closer. A nodak lower with or without the mag release fence...depending on what generation you're going for...and a true Colt fiberlite in a two or four position retracting stock...that's getting more authentic but for significantly more $$$s.

Don't forget the triangle hand guards and flat slip ring vs. the newer delta ring setup for hand guard retention.

 

[VanillaGuerrilla]

How authentic do you want it to be?

DPMS still offers those A1 stripped uppers for around $60 when you can find them on sale or at CDNN. You could throw in that DPMS 11.5" barrel (pinned to 16" with flash hider) for $129 that brownells is offering. A1 style grip and Model 1 sales fiberlite clone stock and you're well on your way...but...the forward assist and deflector make it more of a C7/8 clone than a true IDF build.

Authentic would be a pencil profile barrel at 14.5" or the complete retro carbine uppers from Fulton armory would get you closer. A nodak lower with or without the mag release fence...depending on what generation you're going for...and a true Colt fiberlite in a two or four position retracting stock...that's getting more authentic but for significantly more $$$s.

Don't forget the triangle hand guards and flat slip ring vs. the newer delta ring setup for hand guard retention.

I'm looking to do something like this but not trying to be official authentic.

Like M&A has a decent looking CAR stock set for around $60. That would be fine with me as opposed to dropping god knows what on an aluminum colt.

 

[user 71]

the tear drop fa & flat slip ring should be easy and cheap to find. A1 upper with forward assist but no deflector..that will be tough. Fulton armory or nodak will probably be the best sources but they won't be cheap. the barrel profile, I can't identify but doesn't look to be a pencil.