Custom triangle handguards and other retro builds

[ArmedCorgi]

So, I've done some searching and it seems that the triangle style handguards are only available in rifle or carbine length. I've recently put together a midlength upper and want to go more retro with it. I've also built another lower and used an A2 stock. So I would pair the two.
It looks like some people have successfully modified the rifle length handguards to fit a midlength. It doesn't seem too hard, so I'm seriously considering doing it. I mean, why not? It would be another cool little Covid project.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Parts are on order!

 

[fnfalguy]

I do like the setup with the spur grip and the extended trigger guard. Personally, I find that setup the most usable compared to others I’ve tried.

 

[Elwood]

tagged out of interest. I wanna see how this turns out. Might want to do this myself

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Unfortunately I couldn't find pics of the projects other people had. The ones on that forum wouldn't load or were just gone.

What I could gather from the descriptions of what they had done, is they cut a section of the handguard and heat shield out towards the front of the handguard. Took the pieces that fit into the triangle end cap and JB welded them to the inside of the main handguard and used the JB weld to fill in gaps, Etc.. Then they sanded and rounded the ends off to make it look right. I would imagine they painted over it also.

I know you can sand, drill and tap JB weld, but I wonder if using Bondo to fill gaps and help shape the modification would be a better way to go? I'll use the JB to glue the pieces, but maybe Bondo to shape.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I do like the setup with the spur grip and the extended trigger guard. Personally, I find that setup the most usable compared to others I’ve tried.

It definitely offers a more true to form grip on the gun. I'm still not 100% on what a cop or a jury would say about it, but you can say that about any of the compliance options really.
You are still shipping them out, right?

 

[fnfalguy]

yep, still pushing them out the door. You are correct that no one knows what’s ok or not in the states eyes and they really seem to like to keep it that way. I hedged bets and use a variety of approaches. Supports the building of more of them.

It definitely offers a more true to form grip on the gun. I'm still not 100% on what a cop or a jury would say about it, but you can say that about any of the compliance options really.
You are still shipping them out, right?

 

[BDinPutnam]

Would definitely be a distinctive and cool look. There's something oddly old school soul-satisfying about a carry handle on an AR.

...but you need to get a different front sight.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Would definitely be a distinctive and cool look. There's something oddly old school soul-satisfying about a carry handle on an AR.

...but you need to get a different front sight.

I found a clamp on GI style sight base, but they are out of stock. This barrel isn't drilled for taper pins and I actually had no idea that those style sight bases came undrilled also. I hadn't realized that it's actually specific to the gun. Huge bummer cause I'm not attempting that or sending it out to a smith to do. I hope I can get one of those clamp on ones. I'll just have to grind off the bayonet lug.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

but you need to get a different front sight.

Son of a bitch, I found one! Pricey but I ordered it! https://www.fulton-armory.com/frontsightbaseforgedpowerwedgewsetscrewswobayolug-1.aspx

 

[Edwardteach72]

Very interested in how this will come out

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Probably a dumb question, but anyone out there know if the A1 upper (which I guess does not have the cuts for M4 feed ramps) will work with a barrel that has the M4 feed ramps?

 

[BDinPutnam]

Probably a dumb question, but anyone out there know if the A1 upper (which I guess does not have the cuts for M4 feed ramps) will work with a barrel that has the M4 feed ramps?

If memory serves, yes.

What you cant do is run an M4 cut upper with an uncut barrel.

But trust but verify!

 

[ArmedCorgi]

So, just got my NYS tax refund and as a result this just happened.

The upper is the Canadian version of the A1, which I guess just means it has the shell deflector. I'm gonna steal the dust cover off the current upper and I opted for the teardrop FA. This build just got a little more FUAC. Who knows when all this will arrive though, lol.

 

[dwa12479]

So, just got my NYS tax refund and as a result this just happened.

The upper is the Canadian version of the A1,

So it's actually an Eh?1 upper...

 

[ArmedCorgi]

So it's actually an Eh?1 upper...

Nice.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Hoser!

 

[ArmedCorgi]

It comes preserved in maple syrup instead of cosmoline.

 

[BDinPutnam]

I actually really, really wish they had gotten up to model C19 because corona gun, don't ya know.

That's going to be a heck of a cool frankengun, @ArmedCorgi.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I actually really, really wish they had gotten up to model C19 because corona gun, don't ya know.

That's going to be a heck of a cool frankengun, @ArmedCorgi.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Oh I have some A2 grips if you need one.

Though I imagine like everyone who rolls their own you probably have a drawerful already, haha.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Oh I have some A2 grips if you need one.

Though I imagine like everyone who rolls their own you probably have a drawerful already, haha.

I do indeed have a bunch of them, lol. Thinking of making one into a bottle opener.

 

[Duke]

has anyone looked at the Brownels retro uppers

 

[ArmedCorgi]

has anyone looked at the Brownels retro uppers

Well, I did just buy a stripped retro upper from Brownells. I haven't really looked at the complete retro uppers they sell.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

And so it begins. First round of parts arrived.
The front sight base should be here tomorrow and then the handguard and triangle end cap hopefully early next week.
Figure I'll start tearing down the upper so I can build this new one.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Here we are now. Upper is put together and I've taken the barrel assembly apart and installed the barrel hand tight on the A1 upper. I now have to wait for the new front sight base before I can go further.
Quite the difference in profile!

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I forgot I need to also grab an A1 rear sight tool, lol.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Front sight base is all set up. Just waiting on the hand guard and triangle end cap. Hesitant to time the barrel nut without the end cap because that front sight base is real snug. I sanded down the inside of the rings and will likely use some kroil to help get it on the barrel all the way. It's the right size (.750), the tolerance is just real tight.

Having a tough time finding A1 rear sight adjustment tools. Brownell's has a couple, but a lot of places don't carry them or they did but the part is now discontinued. Like these things just evaporated.
This place looks promising but there is nothing about their status with Covid: Sight Tool - M16A1 / AR-15 / SP1
I'll have to email them.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Handguard and end cap arrived today!
Got the front sight base on and now working on the handguards. I'm cutting them just before the bevel where it goes into the end cap. The idea is you cut the guards down close enough to the end cap but leave room to taper down the handguard so it looks more natural. You glue the piece that goes into the end cap on the inside of the rest of the handguard and fill and shape. Make sense????
Last pic is a little teaser for you. I'm excited but I don't wanna fuck this up, lol.

 

[Elwood]

Thanks now I have to build another upper looks awesome.