I have a 14.5" LMT upper with a KAC RAS and front sight tower. I would like to have a 11" or 12" FF rail properly installed. I was told I would have to mill down the front sight tower for this mod. My FS is pinned and soldered. Is this a proper method or should I have the FST removed and install a new gas block? Or would a better option be to use the DD rail that wraps around the FST? What I’m really trying to accomplish is to be able to have my support hand further out on the rifle.
Your FH being permed could cause you problems depending on what rail you want to run, a Troy MRF two piece rail will fit if you shave the FSB while its installed on the barrel, Im not sure about others, some one piece designs will require removal of FH,FSB, gas tube and possibly the barrel nut, for that you may have to send it to ADCO or someone that can remove the FH without mangling the barrel.
You are going to have to cut that flash hider off, and have a new one installed.
Cutting down the FSB is a good option because then you have a double pinned gas block. There really isnt a need to go out and buy a gas block.
Even if you get something like a DD FSP rail you still have to cut the flash hider off. You’d have to get the FSB off so you can put the new barrel nut on.
Complete newb here. I thought a rail could be slipped on from the rear once the barrel was removed. My barrel is already 14.5" so I’m not sure if I want to cut the FH off and open another can of worms. Maybe I just need a new upper with the rail I want. Seems like allot of dough to mod my current upper. Thanks for the info.
This is the whole problem I see with the fad of people being hot for the 14.5" pinned uppers. There are very few options for FF rails of longer length that don’t require cutting the flash hider off. Samson and Troy make rails that have cutouts for the FSB so you don’t have to trim it and you still get a relatively long rail, you will most likely have to cut the delta ring, weld spring and weld spring clip off though.
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=100
I ended up spending thousands of dollars running 14.5" uppers only to sell them because I didn’t like the lack of flexibility with the configurations. And I no longer suggest this configuration to new shooters.
Bravo Company makes running 14.5" uppers a little easier by offering myriad choices in pre-built, permed solutions, but you still have to ask yourself, “am I ok with this permanent solution to free floating this rail on this upper”.
Edit: Centurion Arms will be coming out with a line of rails that also clamp on to a naked barrel nut so that might be a viable solution for you later on.
There are 2 piece free float rails that use the existing barrel nut. Check Midwest Industries and Troy.
Like shadow65 said, you can get the 2 piece rails. This will still require you to Dremel the delta ring and front sight tower. If this is something you feel comfortable with, that may be the way to go. If you aren’t sure, just send it off to have it done, then you can put whatever you want on there.
If you just want the cheapest solution that allows you to get more of a Costa-Grip on your boom stick, you can get welding gloves for about $10 :sarcastic:
Problem I see with sending it off is the FH will again have to be perm attached, or be registered as an SBR. If the upper is completely assembled, and down the line OP decides he wants to change it, he’s in the same boat.
The tube could be slipped on but not the barrel nut that holds it.
And you very well might be better off selling it and buying an upper set up the way you want.