Hey guys, I’ve decided on my next upper as a BCM without handguards. I was then going to get a DD rail or similair. But my question is is it cost effective to put it on myself and buy the tools to do so, or have a gunsmith do it. I don’t know what all special tools are needed for handguards, its all foreign to me, and i don’t know what a good price is on a gunsmith installation. So what do you guys recommend? This will be my last upper, and i doubt I will ever take it off. Thanks!
I’ve always said any thing related to cars or guns can be done by yourself with 5 things:
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The right parts
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The right tools
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The right instruction
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Patience.
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Knowing your own limitations.
I usually do my own stuff on ARs but will be soon sending off my main gun for some work because I dont have the above #2 or #3 in doing the work I want done.
There are many factors to your question. I’d imagine it’s a BCM with delta ring and either a set screw gas block or FSP. 16" barrel or pinned. Inevitably I’ll probably recommend (if you want a railed and not slick HG) one of Centurion’s.
What upper did you buy and what HG do you want?
-Jax
Torque wrench might be costly. Have any mechanic friends?
I’ve got a torque wrench and lots of general use tools, but i have no proprietary tools. I’ll find the exact stuff I’m thinking about and post links in a minute
I havent decided middy or carbine so il get the forend to match, but its between these four based onw hats available and how much i decide to spend
upper: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-16-Mid-Length-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-mid-16.htm
handguard: http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/MI-18-SS-Series-Drop-In-Mid-Length-Two-Piece-Ha-p/mi-18ss.htm
or http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/stock-forend-parts/forends-handguards/ar-15-carbine-forend-tubes-prod20737.aspx?avs
or http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/stock-forend-parts/forends-handguards/ar-15-m16-lightweight-free-float-handguards-prod25006.aspx?avs
or http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/stock-forend-parts/forends-handguards/ar15-m16-ez-car-handguards-prod40103.aspx?avs
Depending on his intended HG setup he may not need to take the barrel nut off.
-Jax
I had never done it before and it wasn’t bad with the help of youtube and a friend.
I did the C4 cutout rail though so it would be easier than a rail where you had to change the barrel nut and shave the FSB or change the gas block
Would I need to take the barrel nut off for a YHM? The reason i have the YHM in the list is I have one and really like it and I like the idea of having two of the same just for simplicity’s sake.
I posted links to the stuff I am looking at above
Which YHM. Dont have experience with 'em but I’ll see if I can help.
Do you have a low pro gas block or front sight base?
-Jax
I have the diamond mid length with a low pro gas block on a carbine length upper right now
Gotcha. Exactly which YHM HG are you looking at?
-Jax
You’re right. I forgot about that.
Do a quick YouTube search and see if there are videos on the HG you want. Sometimes the videos can walk you right through the process.
either the diamond or the lightweight. would they go on the same way since they are the same brand?
Looks like both of those require a proprietary barrel nut.
-Jax
so would installing that myself be cheaper than having a pro do it? how hard is it to deal with proprietary stuff?
Costly? They are like 30 to 40 bucks for a craftsman one. Plus if u get one you can use it for working on your vehicle also 
everyone should own one imo.
Honestly man if you really want that rail I’d sent it to ADCO or Randall @ AR15 barrels. Not a question of cheap. It’s a question of is it built right.
With that said I still recommend the Centurion and its much much simpler to mount. Cut the delta ring off. Put the two halves of the HG on and tighten some screws.
-Jax
yeah thats a good point. that was kinda part of my question too. I’m probably too simple to install it well myself. I guess I’ll do my homework on what rail fits my needs and budget and send it off when i find that upper in stock.
If you are a DIYer, this will help…
If you think this is the only time you’ll use many of the specialized tools, probably not worth it to do it yourself. But we all know that 5 years from now you’ll need that tool for some reason, and be glad you bought it to do that handguard install years back!
Well I’m about to go off to 7 years of college so id probably lose any tools id get anyways. I’m going to look into how much it will cost to have the pros do it