Is the handguard cap attached to the FSB with an Allen head screw on the Kino? Santa brought me a BCM gift card and it is either an 11.5" bbl or 12.5" bbl for my A1 upper. This upper is an old Colt slick side. I’ve never shot w/o a shell deflector. I am right handed but shoot lefty when necessary. Do the rounds come right back in your face?
It is looking like an 11.5" BBL.
I imagine the handguard cap is held inplace by the FSP like any other setup, often partially under the fsp and some pressure of the handguards from the spring in the retainer.
A properly gassed build paired with the correct buffer weight should eject around 3 0’clock, if you are getting hit in the face try a lighter buffer or if needed spring, but with a SBR you will most likely be going heavier.
A Kino with an A1 upper and middy retro style triangular handguards would be bad-ass.
Hey Chief, 11.5 or 12.5 are gtg. I personally shoot an 11.5 and have no issue with brass when off hand transition. Just tune it right and get the proper buffer weight and spring figured out. As far as GP size BCM is spot on IMHO, esp with my sample of 1 11.5 barrel.
So here is a photo from BCM’s web site. I’ve only assembled one upper and agree the handguard will lock in place on it’s own and then you install the FSB. But here I will need a low profile gas block, I want to use one from DD because it will be pinned in place. If you look at this photo it looks like the FSB has been drilled and tapped to accept an allen head screw and this is how the cap in held in place for the Midlength handguards. The screw goes through the hole the gas tube would usually be.
You could thread it and use an screw if you liked, I just happened to have a butchered gas tube that I trimmed down until it protruded from the front sight post maybe 1/4".
I’ve also heard that with other dissipator style uppers, you don’t really need anything to keep it indexed, it just keeps itself aligned, but can’t say that I’ve seen this firsthand.
Btw, at one time or another I’ve had almost every barrel length from 10.5 to 20 inches and the 12.5 K-config is my favorite by far. You wouldn’t regret it.
ETA: As those above have mentioned, you should be able to tune your rifle with various buffers to have it eject out your face. It shouldn’t be a concern.
Thanks for the info guys. Tomorrow I am going to order the 12.5" bbl from BCM. I will post a photo when I am done.
So is the shell deflector like the forward assist kinda useless? I wish I weighed the A2 and A1 uppers there was a significant weight difference. Glad to hear you like your Kino. I think it will wear midlength MOE’s but I might buy a set of middy A1’s just for fun.
Whoops, I just re-read your original statement.
I’ve never shot an A1 upper weak-hand so I can’t comment on it’s usefulness.
If it’s that big a concern, get a flattop. The difference in weight would be marginal, especially in that particular location.