Changing barrels?

[trlcavscout]

I bought a new 16" barrel DPMS carbine, my plan is to build on this. I would like to change the barrel out for a 20" what all do I need to buy to do this, I assume the barrel, gas tube, anything else? I bought this carbine because it was cheap and I cant afford the upper I would like so I am gonna do this project in steps. I have never swapped a barrel but I have a buddy that does this stuff, I just want to have everything together before a bug him. Any advice? Thanks.

[Delfuego]

Gunsmith...

Your safety is very important.

[Marlin]

Hardest part about it is getting the roll pin for the gas tube started..

As long as you have trust in the guy doing it and He knows what He's doing should be no problem. Just make sure it's torqued within specs, Check the headspace, and clean it up..

[trlcavscout]

Hardest part about it is getting the roll pin for the gas tube started..

As long as you have trust in the guy doing it and He knows what He's doing should be no problem. Just make sure it's torqued within specs, Check the headspace, and clean it up..


I do, he was an armorer in the Marines, I know but he was a good Marine [ROFL1]
But he knows what he is doing I just hate bugging him for stuff until I get all the parts together.

[Marlin]

If that's the case,, Shouldn't take him more than 10 minutes.. Unless the barrel nut is frozen.. Which I have had happen before..

[trlcavscout]

If that's the case,, Shouldn't take him more than 10 minutes.. Unless the barrel nut is frozen.. Which I have had happen before..

It "should" go smooth, I havent even fired it yet.

[Great-Kazoo]

if you don't want to bug him drive east 20 min and i will lend you a hand. tools and garage, available and open.

[trlcavscout]

Cool thanks Jim, I have to get everything together first. But when I do maybe I'll take you up on that. My buddy knows how to do it but doesnt have the tools anymore so I was gonna have to buy them also.

[bobbyfairbanks]

choose the right punches. If drift pins are convex use concave punches or you will have a heck of a time getting them out.

[Hoser]

Its not hard. Even I can do it.

[rammit]

I have a barrel i need installed and torqued, but dont have the blocks or wrench, can anybody help me out for some beers[Coffee]?

[Byte Stryke]

This seems to be the thread to post in when asking for help with the Uppers and parts replacement so, here goes:
I currently have an Aero Performance T rail flat top upper inbound from Surplusammo.com.
Comes highly recomended, yadda-yadda.

For simple things such as replacing firing pins, Furniture, even small lower issues I don't have a problem fixing it here at the house.
Pulling the Barrel off of one weapon and setting it on another upper receiver is a whole new world I am not equipped for. Head-space and all that.

I live in Thornton
I expect it to arrive this week (Due Wednesday)
I will be getting a BUPS (plastic)
Essentially we will be swapping upper receivers.
If you are interested, Trained and equipped to do this shoot me a PM with your number and we can discuss fees, times, compensation whatever.

I will travel the Denver metro and possibly north (Cheyenne is out...)

[Marlin]

As long as the original barrel nut is not frozen, it's about a 5 minute operation. I'll see if I can locate my stuff. Between all the little projects I've been doing over the last 6 months I'm not sure where it all is, due to "redistribution".

Unless they do something differant at the place I am at, I have friday afternoon open. Should be home by 1:30-2 depending on traffic.

[BPTactical]

Swapping out barrels is no major deal unless you are trying to stay with a fixed front sight post. Aligning them can be a bitch and then they have to be re-drilled and reamed, usually for oversize pins.
Headspace on an AR is set by the barrel extension at the factory. I have changed out many, many barrels and yes I do check them, but have never had one change to the point it was a problem.

FWIW-
I am in Thornton and would be glad to help.
PM me and we can get together............
barring any issues typically less than an hour.

Edit: Sent you a PM ByteStryke

[KimberLover]

Trlcavscout,
Do you wish to sell the barrel you are replacing?
If so, I'm interested as I am building an upper and need a 16 " barrel.
Send me an email if you are.

[Coltdriver]

Well I am a rank amature at this but there are basically two tools you have to have to work on an upper. These are not the only tools, but without these you should not mess with it.

You need a block to put the upper receiver in a vice with. Some are rubber and encase the upper receiver and today I saw one at the Tanner show that was machined white plastic. You use the pins on the upper to secure it over the block, the block goes in the vice. $50 otd.

The other tool you have to have is a barrel wrench. DPMS makes the only one I have seen. there are others. Its like an AR multi wrench and had a 3/8 square for putting a torque wrench into to torque the barrel.

Each of those things imply that you have a vice and a torque wrench. With those tools, however, putting a barrel on is fairly easy.