Colt AR Barrel change????

H

HOOVY

New member
Well I have been thinking of changing barrels and need some advise. I have an ar15 Hbar 16" with the iron sights. I have looked at Galati's DPMS, and J&T dist. Galati has just the barrel in 24" ss for around $239. I think this may be too long? But they list 16" 20" & 24" in the full upper listing at $425. I know the full upper is easier to change but how hard is the barrel to change and do I need special tools? Any body have better prices or better choices???
THANKS !!! Hoovy
 
Jason,

Thanks for the sites. Seems like it's imposible to get anything and nothing is in stock nad 14-20 week waiting period??? Man thats nuts. SO I have another question??? Can the front iron site be removed from my AR? I see it is put on with 2 pins, and it holds the sling ring also. Somebody had had to have taken one of these off somewhere?????
Hoovy
 
yes, those pins can be punched out and you can put whatever you want as long as the barrle diameter is the same and the gas rod is the correct lenght.
 
So the gas rod is held behind the front iron sight? Sorry I'm green with the guns parts other than the standard cleaning breakdown. If so all I have to do is put something there to hold it in place ( strongly), like a machined block? THANKS for your help ! Hoovy
 
yes, the gas rod is inserted into the back side of the front sight block, a tiny roll pin locks it into the block. The gas tube itself acts as a pin also, which holds the barrel nut from turning (in the unlikely event it would rotate loose).

Lot's of replacement gas blocks out there, low profile/no sight on it, fold down sight, etc.

Barrel change is pretty easy, but you will need a barrel nut wrench and an action block for AR's that goes in a vise (makes things easy). It can be done without,done it many times, but most people will screw something up without at least those things.
 
If your Colt is a carbine or a mid length (which it probably is as I don't think Colt offers a Dissipator type model) the front sight is the gas block, the gas tube pins into the front sight. If you remove the front sight you will need to replace it with the same front sight or an aftermarket gas block which clamps rather than pins.A simple barrel change takes just a few minutes, you need a vice, a clamshell action clamp, a barrel wrench, snap ring pliers and a few punches (drill bits make great punches). There are instructions with pics at www.ar15.com in the build it yourself section.
 
Well guys I would love to do a barrle change but dont really want to wait 4 to 6 months. SO I think I will just take the front sight off and either buy an aftermarket block or have my machinist buddy make me one. Where can I get an aftermarket one online? I assume I just knock the pin out of my gas tube and reuse it in the new block? Any other tricks I need to know? Man this site rocks for info you guys rule !!! THANKS Hoovy
 
Quote:
Jason,

Thanks for the sites. Seems like it's imposible to get anything and nothing is in stock nad 14-20 week waiting period??? Man thats nuts. SO I have another question??? Can the front iron site be removed from my AR? I see it is put on with 2 pins, and it holds the sling ring also. Somebody had had to have taken one of these off somewhere?????
Hoovy



If you simply want the front sight tower/post gone, just buzz it off flush above the top of the gas port with a cut-off wheel on a dremel or use a hacksaw. Cover the bare metal with cold blue or flat black paint & your done. If in the future you want a front sight it's $20-30 for a new base. Sometimes those seemingly innocent little pins can be very stubborn to remove & you'll expand your vocabulary attempting to do so.
 
Is this Colt a preban or post? If it is preban with the standard size push pin holes I would consider leaving that complete upper as is and having a new one built. You can probably sell that Colt upper for a decent price if it is in good shape, or put it away.

If you aren't in a huge hurry, I'd consider ordering a complete upper from D-Tech, RR, or one of the other makers.

If it's a post ban just whack the iron sight portion off at the gasblock.
 
It's post ban but I would rather not mess up the original sights, but if I run into trouble getting them off I might break out the hacksaw!!! Thanks again guys, like I said this sight rocks. I did find some gas blocks on J&T and Brownels. I am leaving in the morning for the hospital for my second round of chemo. I was diagnosed on Apr 3rd with AML, so I'm off from work for 6 months. Plenty of coyote time!!! I stayed out last night till 1:30.
Everyone have a good one, Thanks for the help !!! Hoovy
 
Is there any particular reason you are considering removing the front sight? If you are considering going to a scope you will not see the sight tower/front sight at 3 power and higher magnification.
 
Rabon is right. Unless you are putting a scope on that goes below say 2x, you probably won't see it. It's super easy to change the FSB for a new gasblock though.

Good hunting
 


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