Removing the railed block huh?
BTDT.
brutal.
We got the front screw out fine, a bit tough but nothing to wet your pants over..
on to the next screw, insert allen key... turn allen key...
allen key breaks. all hell breaks loose.
we get the other screw out after using some heat.
try drilling out the allen key from the center screw, as it is now stuck in there for life.
not happening.
well i'll just gring down the rails on the block so i can fit the handguard over it and put on my new longer one..
that wasnt too bad.... ok lets pull off the handgua... DAMNIT! gotta take off the gas block to remove the gas tube, to remove the handguard.
Called it quits for that day,
I get home, i take my trusty dremel tool with a thin cutting wheel on it, and I cut a slot in the gas block, thus turning the allen screw into a flat head screw, I then proceed to break my favorite flathead screwdriver.. twice, after regrinding the tip on it, I took a torch and heated the block up and it finally came out.
then we took a strap wrench to the handguard.
same fucking story. more locktite than you could shake a stick at.
finally got that off after a fuckload of heat, and a 200+ guy lifting himself off the ground on the strap wrench.
same story for the god damned Izzy Brake.
After all that, I finally got to reassemble the rifle, with my new(ie ground down railed block) midlength handguard and a A2 FSB and the brake..
all this, so I could get a front sight.....Cause I'll be damned if I was gonna pay 60 buck for some ugly ass railed gas block front sight..
and I wanted a mid length handguard with a bayonet lug...
(hey, I had 2 M9 bayo's I was issued and I wanted to use em)
I still need to go see if I can't get a good group out of the thing. Had some problems with groups opening up at... 50 yards.. :
the first outing and havent' had a chance to get back out to the range.
But!
I really love the balance and handling of the rifle now. I want to build a .223 upper with the same setup so I can get some familiarity training for cheaper...
I mean I really like the setup.. (i have a larue 18" stealth, and this thing handles so much better.. could be due to the added weight.. and the damn near half inch hole down the barrel...
)
For accessories I am just gonna add a rail to the handguard for a TLR-1 and call it good. maybe an AFG.. but I dunno...
PS that Hogue handguard is so damned grippy.. I love it.