I am looking to get another upper. A BCM 14.5" with a pinned A2X and a 13" VTAC rail. As you may know, this configuration is not offered by BCM so I would like to order the 2 parts and have my shop do the work (shave FSB, install rail).
On BCM’s website they state: “Because this upper features a permanent flash hider, it cannot be removed for the mounting of many types of handguards. Do not purchase this upper if you need to remove the flash hider or front sight base for the further installation of accessories.”
I am not a gunsmith by any means and I do not know what goes into installing a TRX system to the upper. Will my shop (gun gallery) be able to shave the FSB and install the TRX with the pinned A2X already in place? Is the only issue one might encounter with adding a rail system to a pinned barrel the removal and addition of the barrel nut? I know the TRX/VTAC use the standard barrel nut. Does this mean I should be good to go?
Gun gallery does not pin/weld so I do not have the option of ordering a non pin/weld, installing the rail, and then pin/welding.
Any info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
-B
Short answer:
NO. Gun Gallery is a BCM dealer and I would just contact them and just have them build the upper exactly how you want it. Last I checked, they’ll install any parts that you order through them for free.
Long answer:
NO. You have to install a proprietary barrel nut to install the TRX/VTAC rails, and there’s no way you can slip the barrel nut over any kind of gas block. The only tubes that will work with your proposed setup are the Troy Alpha and the Samson/Rainier Evo tubes. Just go order through Gun Gallery and let them build it up how you want it.
I was on the same boat as you, and I have a similar setup. It’s a BCM BFH 14.5" mid barrel, with a Troy VTAC 13", Vltor low pro gas block, and a Surefire MB556K pinned.
I had to buy the barrel, gas block, brake, gas tube, and everything else separately and have it sent to ADCO. ADCO pinned my brake and gas block.
I ground down my factory FSB to fit a TRX rail and the barrel nut went right over it with no problems. The issue will be grinding down a gas block enough for the nut to fit OR having to remove the flash hider so the FSB can be replaced or ground down. With the amount of material I removed I would not be comfortable doing this with the FSB still installed.
The problem is that I want a 14.5" upper with a 13" TRX/VTAC. This combo is not currently offered from BCM.
Also, gun gallery does not do any pinning so I would have to send it off (ADCO?) to be pinned anyways.
I am reluctant to buy from them because I do not know anything about them, and also, they state their uppers are Daniel Defense, which they might very well be, but they are stamped “riflegear” and have the rifle gear logo. I am not a fan of that. This gun will be used for work and there something I just don’t like about the way that all feels.
I know BCM and trust them and use a rifle of theirs currently. If they offered a 14.5" with a 13" rail that would be great. For now, I am having to get a little creative.
Have Neil at Gun Gallery do the work then have him send it off to ADCO for the pin/weld. They do it all the time. It’s a couple week turnaround with the pinning and welding.
It’s not that they don’t offer it, it’s just that they don’t do it there at the shop.