Seeking advise/shop on barrel, gas tube and muzzle divice

[FlexBravo]

Hello,

I'm currently building an AR and am now looking for a barrel, gas block and muzzle device. I'd much prefer ordering it all from the same shop who will also pin the gas block and muzzle devise prior to shipping it out to me.

What I'm looking for is a 14.5" melonite mid-length barrel with a low profile gas block (so I can use a FF hand guard). I'd like to pin a Battle comp 1.5 or 2. or something comparable. So far I've not been able to find one shop to do it all whom also sells the parts I want. (At least not yet) I've found Rainier Arms (http://www.rainierarms.com/) does the services, though I've not found quite the parts I'm looking for . Valhalla Tactical Supply (http://vtsupply.com/) does sell an Adams Arms barrel that is melonite, but they don't do pinning there. Does anyone know what type of quality Adams Arms barrels are? They have a life time warranty which seems pretty good on the surface.

I understand by reading the forums that BP (http://www.bptacticalservices.com/Home_Page.html) offers the pinning services so I may just order the parts and have a local gunsmith do the pinning.

Question: When I buy a barrel, do I need to match it to a bolt to insure proper head-space? From my limited reading I understand it should not be necessary when buying quality new parts.

I've combed the internet pretty well looking for parts and info but even so I understand that I am likely to have missed a good deal of it.

Thanks
FB

[J]

Fwiw, when you pin the muzzle device, you already have to have the barrel nut on the barrel, so you will need to buy the hand guard and nut from the same place, or arrange to get your nut to them.

[Delfuego]

Bowers has all the parts and can do the work too. [Beer]

[Great-Kazoo]

Bowers, Bert[BTtactical], MGT all within your area. Hit the vendors section for contact info.

[kwando]

Bowers all the way, they removed my mini y comp and pinned a flash hider for me. Quality work! Or you can buy my 14.5" upper...

[BPTactical]

Headspace is set by the factory when the barrel extension is installed.
You need to have all of the components in place (roughly) before pinning.
Best bet is to load up the entire upper entourage and come see me.

[FlexBravo]

So am I understanding correctly that in addition to the barrel, gas tube, and muzzle device, I also need to have my hand guards picked out do I can have the nut placed on prior to the gas tube/muzzle put on? I am interested in FF hand guards (perhaps the Noveske 11" or 13"). I say that not knowing if it makes a difference or not when comparing to a standard M4 type handguard.

If that is the case I think I can stop worrying about trying to find one online shop that can do it all and ship it to me. I've been buying the parts one at a time as my limited budget allows which allows me to take my time and enjoy the process of assembly and research. I am trying to plan far enough ahead so I don't make mistakes that require me to cut off a pinned part for example.

It sounds like there would not be a problem having a local gunsmith do the pinning either...which is comforting. (Thanks BP for the reply)

As for a pinned gas tube; I know lots of companies sell them which don't seemed to need to be pinned. Is it better to have the gas tube pinned? I assume not pinning could allow it to travel or spin?

Thanks
FB

[Great-Kazoo]

Pinned gas tube means into the gas block. Not pinned and you start encountering problems, perhaps lots of them.

[BPTactical]

Pinned gas tube means into the gas block. Not pinned and you start encountering problems, perhaps lots of them.

It does ugly things!
Ever see a gastube wadded up in an upper?
OP- feel free to toss your parts list out here if you like. One place noobs get into trouble is with an imbalance in parts selection.
My suggestion would be for a first rifle keep it on the simple side. Freefloat is fine but not much more than that for the first go round. Learn the platform first, then decide what whiz bang goodies you want.
When you get all of your parts together come see me, I will walk you through it, give you the nickle tour of your new rifle and care and feeding of her.

Welcome to the board BTW[Beer]

[FlexBravo]

OP- feel free to toss your parts list out here if you like. One place noobs get into trouble is with an imbalance in parts selection...

When you get all of your parts together come see me, I will walk you through it, give you the nickle tour of your new rifle and care and feeding of her.

Thanks BP I will swing by when I have all the parts.

Here is a list of what I'm considering:

Upper:

-Vltor Mur or a Noveske upper ( I have a Noveske lower)

- Barrel - midlength (still looking) but perhaps- Adams Arms 5.56 14.5 Midlength Lite .625 1:7 AR15 Barrel Mid-Length Voodoo Barrel...
--NOTE I'd really like to find a .223 Wylde instead of the 5.56 but I'm still hunting for it with melonite finish.

-Gas block: just a quality inexpensive low profile. Any brand such as Stags or Midwest Industries Steel, or similar. Unless I need matched then I'd need to know that and why.

-Muzzle device: I'm still researching this. I'd like flash hiding with a bit of muzzle stabilization. I want to not have too many problems with dust while prone, or offend my fellow shooters on either side of me. I'm considering a PWS or Battle comp...but am still researching this.

-Hand guard- Likely a Noveske NSR 11" or 13". But am also considering a Troy TRX 11 OR similar. The Remington RAHG looks nice!

-BCG I'm really torn here. I'm still debating the virtues of chrome vs. NiB and regular finish. Ultimately it will be FA and from a company that inspects each individual BCG, not via a batch.

I'll buy my lower stock, spring and buffer when I actually buy my barrel/upper.

That's where about I'm at now.

FB