Ultralight Ultralight Rifles

[Trackselk]

Do you or a friend have an aluminum lower you can slap it on while installing a barrel?

Good idea, I do have a buddy but he's on the road. Worst case I can buy a cheap one, thanks!

 

[Trackselk]

I would use an


Man I don’t have a polymer lower in my possession yet, but regardless I wouldn’t do anything besides use an upper receiver rod.

If you’re going to build AR’s, it seems like a must have.

Thanks! I'll look into that tool

 

[Thegman]

What's a good "clamping tool" that you all have used successfully on these composite lowers for tightening the barrel nut? First AR build and I don't want to Crack my Tennessee arms...
The whole operation looks pretty sketchy even if all of the force is on the ALUMINUM upper. And, not sure if online jigs will fit the solo upper.
I have a whole auto/wood workshop, so I'm guessing some wood blocks could be used, but not wanting to damage the cerakote as well. Please let me know how you did this, and if I need to remove the lower to make this happen. Thanks!
*jag composites nut 30 ft/lbs IIRC

Do not pass go, do not collect $200...get a jig for your upper, it will fit it fine. Whatever you do, don't use your lower to hold your upper in that operation. Way too much torque on the system. Not if you'll mess something up, but just how bad you'd mess something up.

 

[goalie]

I would use an


Man I don’t have a polymer lower in my possession yet, but regardless I wouldn’t do anything besides use an upper receiver rod.

If you’re going to build AR’s, it seems like a must have.

This. Clamping the receiver is for suckers.

 

[goalie]

Receiver rod

 

[Trackselk]

Receiver rod

Thanks to all of you, I knew you'd set me strait!
Can anyone verify the wheeler actually fits properly in the solo upper?
Edit: gen 1 & 2?

 

[StupidLightweight]

By all means, get a receiver rod. Or, someone here will let you borrow one. They'll all fit the SOLO upper.

That said, for straight-pull builds, I've never had an issue with just going hand tight with the barrel nut or using a strap wrench to go just beyond that.

 

[Trackselk]

By all means, get a receiver rod. Or, someone here will let you borrow one. They'll all fit the SOLO upper.

That said, for straight-pull builds, I've never had an issue with just going hand tight with the barrel nut or using a strap wrench to go just beyond that.

Thanks! I have a strap wrench. Would you trust that route if you used antisieze on the upper threads, or do you use some blue loktite?

 

[StupidLightweight]

On mine, I've used neither, but if I were after a more permanent solution, a dab of blue Loktite would suffice. Just have your wife/buddy hold the upper receiver while you work the strap wrench. I'd be shocked if the nut ever backed out.

 

[Trackselk]

On mine, I've used neither, but if I were after a more permanent solution, a dab of blue Loktite would suffice. Just have your wife/buddy hold the upper receiver while you work the strap wrench. I'd be shocked if the nut ever backed out.

Thanks again, yeah, definitely not a high round count operation!

 

[goalie]

Thanks to all of you, I knew you'd set me strait!
Can anyone verify the wheeler actually fits properly in the solo upper?
Edit: gen 1 & 2?

Actually, for the solo you don't need the part that goes into the gas tube hole, they make them that don't have that as well.

 

[packgoatguy]

What's a good "clamping tool" that you all have used successfully on these composite lowers for tightening the barrel nut? First AR build and I don't want to Crack my Tennessee arms...
The whole operation looks pretty sketchy even if all of the force is on the ALUMINUM upper. And, not sure if online jigs will fit the solo upper.
I have a whole auto/wood workshop, so I'm guessing some wood blocks could be used, but not wanting to damage the cerakote as well. Please let me know how you did this, and if I need to remove the lower to make this happen. Thanks!
*jag composites nut 30 ft/lbs IIRC

This is the vice block I used, I can't remember what it's called. Says Obsidian Arms on the bottom.

Installation Instructions – JAG Composites

 

[Trackselk]

Actually, for the solo you don't need the part that goes into the gas tube hole, they make them that don't have that as well.

Thinking further about this. That gas tube piece probably makes for easy tube alignment I assume, and I'm collecting parts for a gasser home defense build...
So, will the gas port version of the jig also work with the solo?

 

[goalie]

Thinking further about this. That gas tube piece probably makes for easy tube alignment I assume, and I'm collecting parts for a gasser home defense build...
So, will the gas port version of the jig also work with the solo?

Yes, it will

 

[packgoatguy]

Yes. It’s possible.

Check out my post #282 on page 15 of this thread.

So, I copied and pasted your list from #282. A couple questions (sorry if you have addressed them earlier)

1. How much did the blackthorn poly upper (stripped) weigh before and after your whittle job? How do you think it would compare weight and function-wise to the 4.92oz Fostech magnesium upper? (Nearly 2oz lighter than the solo300 aluminum upper)

2. How much does your DSA aluminum bolt carrier weigh? Have you had any issues with the ti bolt knob stripping out the aluminum threads in the bc? Did you drill and tap the threads on the bc yourself or have someone else? Any pictures of this bolt carrier? (Is the screenshot below the bcg you were referring to?)

3. For the Hogue 15degree, have you tried whittling on one to shave a few grams? If so, any success there?

Thanks for sharing your awesome projects!

NFA polymer lower and lower parts kit
Blackthorne polymer upper that I whittled on for side charge
Shaw barrel turned into spaghetti strand (16.3 oz.)
DSA aluminum carrier with Nottingham Tactical Ti charging knob
DIY carbon fiber and aluminum handguard
A1 buffer tube Swiss-cheesed and capped with polymer sling loop
Hogue 15-degree polymer grip with V7 titanium grip screw
Crimson Trace CT-1400 optic
Paracord sling wrap

 

[StupidLightweight]

My apologies, but I don't have the answer to any of the weight questions. When Thegman and I do our unveiling, we'll share the weights of each and every modified part.

As for the Ti knob in the aluminum carrier, I've had no issues, and I threaded it myself with the titanium knob! It's held for over 5 years.

 

[Thegman]

This is the vice block I used, I can't remember what it's called. Says Obsidian Arms on the bottom.

Installation Instructions – JAG Composites

I use the same jig, from NFA, but I think I'll get that Wheeler rod @goalie posted, looks like it might work even better, assuming one can remove the gas tube alignment piece as the new Solos have no hole for the gas tube.

 

[KyleR1985]

I use the same jig, from NFA, but I think I'll get that Wheeler rod @goalie posted, looks like it might work even better, assuming one can remove the gas tube alignment piece as the new Solos have no hole for the gas tube.

My midwest rod the piece that slides in gas key slot in top of upper can be removed.

 

[Thegman]

Thinking further about this. That gas tube piece probably makes for easy tube alignment I assume, and I'm collecting parts for a gasser home defense build...
So, will the gas port version of the jig also work with the solo?

If you're using the Jag composites handguard, hand tightening might not work as it can take quite a bit of torque to get the handguard aligned. Not a problem really with the round PCC type handguards.

 

[goalie]

If you're using the Jag composites handguard, hand tightening might not work as it can take quite a bit of torque to get the handguard aligned. Not a problem really with the round PCC type handguards.

I'm pretty much done doing any barrel nut/handguard combo that requires "timing" There are too many options that don't, and it can be such a PITA compared to just using your torque wrench and calling it good.