Looking to purchase/install a 9" Larue rail on my current 16" BCM mid upper. I live in eastern Iowa.
I don’t have the proper tools on hand at this time.
Cost effective recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Would it be a smarter move to buy the vise block, misc tools from Brownell’s?
I know one gunsmith near my home… but he quoted “around” $85 for the installation… That seemed high, and I’m not comfortable with his knowledge of the platform.
Thanks guys,
T
That’s friggin a retarded price. :eek:
Have you googled the install instructions? The one pain in the ass is the mod you have to make to the action block. I think the panther claw might get you around that.
I’d buy the tools and do it myself if I were you.
I would recommend getting a different rail. Perhaps a two piece drop-in.
Second, I would recommend you buy the proper tools to perform the job you want.
Instead of opening a thread on your conundrum, get the proper tools or a different rail…its that easy
In my opinion, there is no shortcut for having the proper tools. You’re better off investing in a good set of AR tools (Brownells is a great place to shop) from the get go. There is no better way to booger up an AR than attempt to substitute the proper tool(s) for the job.
Like markm said, you’ll need to dremel out a bit of the action block to make room for the anti-rotation keeper for the rail. Installation instructions can be found here: http://www.laruetactical.com/larue-tactical-90-handguard-lt15-9 Just click on the “installation” tab beneath the picture of the rail.
Off the top of my head, you’ll need the following:
Upper receiver action block
barrel nut wrench (aka Armorer’s Wrench)
strap wrench
front sight block
good punch set
hammer
allen wrench for anti-rotation keeper (can’t remember the size)
I think that should be enough to install the rail.
There are a few videos out there for the LaRue install. The rails come with a decent set of instructions as well. As Iraqgunz would say, “I’ve seen way too many people screw up the simplest things to say that ARs are easy to work on” But if you’re good with tools, mechanically inclined, and have an eye for detail you should be fine.
Mandatory Tools: (first three can be had from Brownells)
DPMS panther claw - $50
PRI bbl nut wrench - $25
Brownells front sight block - $40 (needs dremeling for re-installation of the taper pins after the rail is on)
Strap wrench - $10 ( 2-piece set at Auto Zone, I used the big one.)
Moly Grease (also at Auto Zone) 
Highly recommended tools: (aslo from Brownells)
5/64 roll pin punch -$5
Taper pin starter - $12
Other tools (standard in most home shops)
Hammer (I prefer my 8oz ballpeen)
Large punch 1/4" - 5/16" (For starting the taper pins)
3/16" Punch (For driving out taper pins)
Tappet wrench (for removing flash hider. Don’t use a crescent wrench and remember to get a new crush washer!)
Observations from the two LaRue Rails I’ve done: Their barrel nuts seem to require torquing near the upper end of the spec for proper alignment, don’t be alarmed if you find using a lot of torque.
While I agree that doing it yourself is the best bet so you have the tools in the future 85 bucks doesn’t seem that high. I’m guessing it is for an hours work. Depending on the shop I’d expect the rate to be 65 to 95 an hour. It is a little on the high side but not out of the ordinary.
Maybe… I’m just used to us doing this kind of stuff for free for guys.
Tools it is… Thanks for your time gentlemen.
Let us know how it goes!
I think the panther claw might get you around that.
It will.
Observations from the two LaRue Rails I’ve done: Their barrel nuts seem to require torquing near the upper end of the spec for proper alignment, don’t be alarmed if you find using a lot of torque.
I’ve had the same experience. Upper end of the torque spec on the three I’ve done.
Good luck with the install. Take your time. You’ll love the larue… aside from the troy trx extreme, it is my favorite rail system.
Ive used Larue rails on most my builds. I like them alot. Aligning the rail system perfectly is kind of a PIA though.
Question for you guys who have used them alot. How far down is the rail nut suppose to screw on? I still have a little threads left but cant seem to torque it down for the life of me. Same thing on a different rail too. Only reason I am conserned about this is if I pinch( pinching hard) the end of the rail down towards my barrel the rail will move( probably a mm or less). Bounces right back into position once pressure is released. I havnt noticed it on other rail systems( DD LITE, MI FF) but the way the rail system bolts up to the barrel nut is different on those systems than the Larue
If I remember correctly, the directions specify a strap wrench to snug up the rail nut.
They don’t specify a toque value, just get it tight. I like to grease the threads also. There is maybe 1-2 threads left exposed.
Also, the rail isn’t flexing, the barrel is. The rail has a much higher moment of inertia (stiffer) than the barrel. Normal, nothing to worry about.
I always wondered if it was the barrel flexing, I just figured the rail would flex before the barrel would.
Well thanks for the info