AR Smith

[rwilson452]

I jusr bought a Bushmaster 16M4ORC. I suspect I will be wanting to modify it sooner or later. I would like to find a good AR gunsmith in the north central PA. Say north of Williamsport.

[SeaRider]

I'm not sure how far away from yours but I've seen this guy works and have been in his shop and bought some AR parts from him, if I need some work done to my AR's, this's the guy that I'd take it to http://www.gunrunner1000.com/

[rwilson452]

Quakertown? Ain't that near Philly?

That's the wrong end of the state.

I'm not sure how far away from yours but I've seen this guy works and have been in his shop and bought some AR parts from him, if I need some work done to my AR's, this's the guy that I'd take it to http://www.gunrunner1000.com/

[SeaRider]

Oop! Sorry about that.

[rwilson452]

I thought Marines could navigate better than that.

As a retired squid I just had to get that dig in you know.

Oop! Sorry about that.

[SeaRider]

LOL, that was the result of reading to fast and brainfarted combined.

[rwilson452]

At least I didn't call you a dumb jarhead

LOL, that was the result of reading to fast and brainfarted combined.

[TonyF]

I just bought a Bushmaster 16M4ORC. I suspect I will be wanting to modify it sooner or later. I would like to find a good AR gunsmith in the north central PA. Say north of Williamsport.

What mods are you considering? That's a flat top with an A2 FH. I can't imagine doing anything that would require the skills of a gunsmith.

[rwilson452]

What mods are you considering? That's a flat top with an A2 FH. I can't imagine doing anything that would require the skills of a gunsmith.

I haven't got anything in mind yet. I suppose the first think I will do to it is but some sort of quad rail system on the pointy end. I have heard that is not a easy thing to do by yourself. I don't even know if it takes special tools I don't have. I know next to nothing about this rifle. I've done a read on the operator manual. That sure isn't an armorer's manual. I can detail strip an M1 and a 1911 and even do some parts fitting on those, but not the AR. Yes the lower is a XM15 E2S

[TonyF]

I haven't got anything in mind yet. I suppose the first think I will do to it is but some sort of quad rail system on the pointy end. I have heard that is not a easy thing to do by yourself.

There are some very good quality two piece free float and non free float quad rail systems available that don't require gunsmithing installation. The highest quality one piece forends do require special tools and some basic understanding of the unit but they are about twice the price of the two piece units. Use of loctite on the two piece units is prudent.

The free float aspect is important if you're going to frequently install and remove mission specific accessories but frankly the only thing a civilian needs hanging on a quad rail forend is a tactical light and / or a vertical foregrip if a VFG happens to be a preference.

The advantage to a quad rail forend is the flexibility it provides in establishing you're preferences for accessories. But, once you're satisfied with a particular set up there should be no reason to change out accessories which *will* affect the rifles zero on a non free floated forend. IOW get your rifle set up the way you want it and leave it alone.

Surefire sells one of the better two piece quad rail forends.

I know next to nothing about this rifle. I've done a read on the operator manual. That sure isn't an armorer's manual. I can detail strip an M1 and a 1911 and even do some parts fitting on those, but not the AR.

Bushmaster sells a video that walks you step by step through the complete assembly of both a lower and upper receiver. Even if you never invest in the tools necessary for assembly the video is worth ten times its cost (about $20) in terms of what you'll learn about AR15's. I highly recommend it.