If you purchase quality tools to do this at home, you'll spend more than $50. A good receiver block is $30, and a quality barrel nut tool is > $50 in itself. I own the Magpul (read quality and its like $70 new). Oh sure you can purchase a "does it all" $16 Chinese AR multi tool on ebay, but its just that, Chinese junk. I've seen more than one of these "tools" bend, distort, or shear the tool barrel nut pins under torque. Need a torque wrench, and pin punches too. And you'll need a sturdy bench vice. More tools if ur gas block is pinned. Oh and don't forget shipping charges for the needed tools you order.
If you're just gonna do one or two re-barrels or complete upper builds, not worth it IMO. Find a local gunsmith who is proficient with ARs and pay to have it done. Let a skilled, well tooled gunsmith do it.
Or a "local to you" forum member who has all the proper tools and a willingness to help you. There are a few guys here who are very knowledgeable. Maybe trade beer, or ammo, or a meal
I am going to have to agree. If it is just one I would find a gunsmith. I got a cheap "do all" AR tool off of ebay and it didn't line up with the barrel nut grooves and I am probaby going to take it to a gunsmith to make sure everything is tight enough.
That is not to say that I don't recommend working on or building your own AR. I have built 2 lowers and one upper and enjoyed the process but the uppers do require some more tools. A vice is super important.
I think the process would be enjoyable and probably could be it's own hobby. I could see the appeal of having different uppers for different purposes, and being able to assemble them yourself would mean you'd get exactly the product you'd want.
For doing 7, I think you got yours money's worth in tools. I found an online dealer that offers pinning of the gasblock in house, so I could order a barrel with the gas block already pinned. That saves a step on my side.Oh the process is enjoyable for sure. And with the internet, ar15.com, and youtube, you can find step by step videos/pics on how to assemble or disassemble AR15 uppers and lowers, and all specs. Its like Lego toys for gun enthusiasts, for some it's an addiction. Nothing like assembling ur own, I have done probably 7 or so to date. But to do it properly, and with a pinned gas block/FSB, you need $200 to 400 in tools, easy.
For doing 7, I think you got yours money's worth in tools. I found an online dealer that offers pinning of the gasblock in house, so I could order a barrel with the gas block already pinned. That saves a step on my side.
Heck, watch a YouTube video, I've been in a bind at a camp before, a buddy wanted to swap to .300aac barrel, and used a 1"x4" in the mag well laying on the floor, and a strap wrench on the barrel nut, also have used a pipe wrench with a rag over barrel nut before to change out barrels... No it's not ideal, but my point is it isn't rocket science... No I didn't have a torque wrench with me, just snugged it up, after you have built a few with the proper tools you learn to know what the proper torque feels like.. And I HAVE NEVER HAD A ISSUE, with doing it like that... Yes normally I use the proper wrench and tools, just goes to show if your doing just one, maybe you don't need to spend the money on the tools, or pay a gunsmith $200 to swap a barrel and gasblock... Or for not much more $$ just buy a complete upper, use your bcg, and put that upper up for parts later. If your using a aftermarket free float forend most Come with a tool for the barrel nut
Yeah just go at it the BigChillin method.....1x4" in the mag well, standing on it on the floor, with a pipe wrench on the barrel nut. No need for specialized tools......LOL
Chilling: post me links to 4 different brands/manufacturers of full float handguards that come with a barrel nut tool with the handguard in the box. Should be easy for you, as you say above they most all come with one.
Yeah just go at it the BigChillin method.....1x4" in the mag well, standing on it on the floor, with a pipe wrench on the barrel nut. No need for specialized tools......LOL
Chilling: post me links to 4 different brands/manufacturers of full float handguards that come with a barrel nut tool with the handguard in the box. Should be easy for you, as you say above they most all come with one.
Lol come on John
Alg defense
MIDWEST INDUSTRIES
UTG PRO SS
UTG PRO KEYMOD
all of those come with there own barrel wrench to put into a 3/8" socket or breaker bar...
Just to name a few, pleanty of them have a proprotary barrel nut which requires a proprotary wrench, that they ship with he forend and check it out John a strap wrench is the most universal ar barrel wrench they got, and a well fitted board in the magwell with the bolt back going into the upper is more than enough to break loose 30ft/lbs and if your just removing the delta nut to put on a free float you don't need that $10 barrel nut anymore, simply slide that delta ring up and put a strap wrench on it... That's the problem, to many people put a scare tactic on it, and make it more than it seems, an ar-15 is one of the most idiot proof build there is for guns 99.9% of the time no fitting, barrel has to line up with keyhole so no timing barrel, gas block has to push all the way to the m4 shoulder, lol most have divits in barrel for gas block set screws... My 8 year old can build one
Its proprietary barrel nuts. ALG DOES NOT come with a barrel nut tool in the box with the handguard.
https://algdefense.com/ergonomic-modular-rail-v1-m-lok.html
Read the description, clearly states you have tp purchase the barrel nut tool SEPARATELY.
"Note: IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME PURCHASING AN ALG DEFENSE RAIL, YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE A BARREL NUT WRENCH IN ORDER TO PROPERLY INSTALL THE RAIL."
Try again.....
Neither does UTG. Barrel nut yes, tool NO
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/leapers-utg-pro-15-superslim-keymod-handguard-free-float-design-includes-two-rail-sections-aluminum-black-mtu019ssk-4717385550261.do
I'm guessing you must be reading impaired maybe. Is this the case?