[ShaneG.]

I dug out one of my AR's last night and tore the upper down. Pulled the barrel extension off here at the shop this morning. I'm thinking since I have a Tac20 reamer and a extra 20cal. 1.060 24" blank I might cut it down and make an 18" or 20" upper. Right now the lower has a M4 stock and would probably go with a A2 fixed or something similar.

Anyone have any suggestions on gas blocks?....get an adjustable? and who makes a good one? I haven't decided on a profile yet but thinking about keeping it heavy all the way to a .936 block. Also need a decent free float tube.....don't really need one with all the fancy rails, maybe just the plain round tube.

I'm all up for suggestions!

 

[dk17hmr]

I wouldn’t think you would need an adjustable gas block. Start with a smaller gas hole and open it up until it works. If you go to large than get an adjustable.

Make a barrel nut and get a chunk of carbon fiber tube?

 

[ShaneG.]

I measured the gas hole in my .223 barrel and it looked to be .075".

I could make a nut and tube....sometimes by the time I monkey around with it it's quicker and cheaper to buy one, but then it's not a custom made part.

I might have to swap out some weld work for machine work...my buddy is way faster....of coarse when he try's to weld is quite comical.

 

[TinMan]

My 24" varmint heavy barrel AR has a solid (no slots) aluminum tubular free float tube, and the solid tube gets pretty warm for bench shooting. My 16" carbine has a 12" M-LOK free float tube and I like that a lot.

 

[s3gunner]

I bought my first adjustable gas block 10-12 years ago and after looking at it I vowed I would never pay much for one ever again. I have made several from scratch myself since. It seems to me if one can cut and crown a barrel it would be a simple matter to convert a standard gas block into an adjustable one. If you do decide on modifying one, think ahead to be certain you'll have access to the adjustment screw with hand guard in place.
As for hand guards, all I can say is try ones out and take note of what you find comfortable for you. None of my ARs have the same hand guards....I guess I haven't made up my mind yet as to what I like best... I do prefer long hand guards, within a few inches of the muzzle. I am looking for a 20- 22" hand guard for a 24" barreled .243 WSSM I have.

Steven