Changing an Upper Receiver

[Eow]

I am thinking about replacing the upper receiver on an AR with a new A3 flat top UR. Would anyone be willing to help teach me how to do this? You can keep my old upper receiver...

[Great-Kazoo]

if you are located in the northern co area i can help you. takes about 10-15min UNLESS you have a bbl with perm attached f/hider or muzzle brake

[Eow]

Jim, thanks for the offer to help. I have a flash suppressor, but it looks to be attached with a large nut rather than permanently. I would love to learn from you how to do this. However, I am near Castle Rock and it would take me a couple of hours each way to get together.

Anyone in the metro denver or colo spgs area willing to share their expertise on this?

[XJ]

I'm in the Springs and have a vice mounted to slide in a trailer hitch, the proper plastic piece for holding the upper, the proper wrench, and a fatass to provide enough torque. Swapping a barrel takes no time at all...IF things go well. You might consider buying a complete upper if the budget allows, and then selling the old one or holding on to it for building up another rifle.


List of things that might make it not go well:

1) perm attached flash hider which was already mentioned. Besides looking very closely for the weld or signs of silver solder, what is the overall barrel length and do you have a bayonet lug on the bottom of the front sight? It would be unusual to find one on a 20" or longer barrel, but much more likely on a shorter barrel which was made during the ban years. Proper measuring requires a bit of explanation, which isn't worth typing if your barrel is 20"

2) there are two tapered pins on the front sight that secure it to the barrel, do these look to be beat to hell and with dings/dents around the holes?

3) plain old bad luck

[Fal Grunt]

EOW, its easy, shouldn't be a problem. Hook up with XJ. No need to worry about the front gas block pins or the muzzle brake? If the barrel is 16" it is a simple swap and nothing needs to be done unless you want to change it.

Either that or I am mis-reading your post...

-myers

[Eow]

Thanks for all the comments, you guys are great.

I think I may go ahead and buy an A3 upper receiver, since from the comments this seems like it is probably doable.

[twitchyfinger]

I sent you an email and replied to the thread and never heard anything back from you so I deleted my offer to help post. I am in Franktown and have all the tools if you would like help I am available anytime before or after this weekend but not this weekend as I am headed over to the western slope.

[Eow]

Thanks Twitchy, I was out of town when you must have posted originally. I will give you a call.

[mightymouse]

I'm in southern Aurora and I have all the tools to help you. IM me if you like and I'll send you my number.

[Eow]

Thanks KellyTTE but Twitchyfinger already helped me out. Great guy, taught me a lot and wouldn't even take anything in return.