Re: To build from scratch? Or to buy it complete?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: son</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USACS</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: son</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USACS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Building from scratch is much cheaper, since you don't have to pay the Federal Excise Tax that you do on completed firearms. It depends on what you mean by "build". Completed upper on a built lower, etc. If you are going to put everything together including separate barrel and the like, please be mindful of the tolerances, proper torque specifications and using the appropriate components. I see lots of mistakes in the ARs I check, to include inadequate barrel nut torque, lack of anti-seize grease on the barrel/receiver connection, improper alignment of the barrel nut resulting in tension on the gas tube, etc.</div></div>
You mention lack of anti-seize grease on the barrel/receiver connection as a mistake. WOA suggest red loctite on the barrel extension / receiver connection.</div></div>
I'm talking about where the barrel extension slides into the upper receiver, and then on the receiver threads where you will attach the barrel nut. You need to use anti-seize lubricant on to prevent the aluminum receiver from fusing to the steel barrel.
Are you sure you're not talking about the barrel and barrel extension connection? And by WOA, do you mean White Oak Armament? Do they say this on their website? I'm not finding it on the website. I'd be very curious about the logic behind that recommendation if they actually did say to use Loctite on the receiver. </div></div>
I just received a WOA ( white oak armament) 18" spr barrel for my upcoming build. I called them to ask their opinion on squaring the front of the receiver. I asked for John , but he wasn't in. The name of gentleman I talked to has slipped me.
He told me that on mil spec receivers they had seen very few that needed squaring , and didn't recomend it.
As I understood it. He said that applying loctite on the mating surface between the barrel and upper receiver seemed to help with accuracy. I asked if they were using green loctite for this app.. He said red. He said if you wanted to remove the barrel it would have to be pressed out.
He also wanted the barrel torq at 70 ft/lbs. The instructions on my vtac extreme handguard say max torq on the troy barrel nut is 60 ft/lbs.
Yes you do want grease or never seize on the barrel nut threads to prevent galling.</div></div>
I've heard of people using red loctite on the barrel extension before, though I've never done it personally. These are the guys who are looking to squeeze every possible bit of accuracy out of their rifles for whatever reason. That said, I've never seen any objective data that shows it actually does anything beneficial.
As to anti-seize on the barrel extension, I've never heard of that before, I've never seen it done, and I've never done it. I have no idea how the barrel extension would ever fuse to the aluminum receiver since it's just a slip fit and there isn't any relative movement between the surfaces once you slide it in by hand.
Obviously you DO want anti-seize on the barrel nut and receiver threads since they do move relative to each other as you torque them.
