Franklin Gunsmith Quote vs. DIY

[BirdDog123]

Next week I will be receiving most of the parts necessary to complete an upper receiver. This is my first build so many tools I do not possess.

I decided to get a quote from Franklin Gun Shop to 1) torque the barrel onto the upper receiver and 2) check for proper headspace. Their quote = $250

For around $200 I can buy the 1) Barrel Nut Wrench 2) Torque Wrench 3) Receiver Block 4) No Go/Go Guages. I guess this is going to be a DIY project afterall.

I am a firm believer in supporting local business vs. a bigger company but with FGS I honestly can't afford to! Everything is always unjustifiably expensive there whether it be used guns, ammo, or services. I was going to buy a $700 scope from them until they were going to charge me $50 to mount it/boresight it!

As far as the DIY goes, it seems if I use the old 3x torque method, get the torque anywhere from 30-50lbs, and check the go/no go guages I should be good. Most people say that the headspace isn't really an issue with mil-spec AR's anyway... so we will see!

Once I get the tools I will be happy to help anyone else out with this... provided I do it correctly the first time

 

[Rubberduck270]

I'd give it a shot. Just keep in mind that if you do screw something up it will be $250 plus whatever else you broke.

 

[DaveB]

This is not much help. There are a bunch of AR16 web sites where the entire assembly process is explained in great detail. Pictures and everything. I cannot find the link. Start googling and find the web site, it is for AR maniacs and is just chock full of information. And crazies, although they try their best to control the riffraff.

 

[BirdDog123]

yea I have looked a lot lately.. some of the guys say to not even worry about headspace that much since most mil spec parts are within a .001 to .002 variance and the headspace gets dangerous at around .010..

plus the parts I am buying are high quality parts so hopefully no issues? I handload so I can always just load the bullet way down on the first few shots and check for flat primers

 

[infoman jr.]

$250!!!!????? It sounds like that place is gouging as bad as anyone. That's insulting.

If you want to ship your components to me and pay return shipping, I'll do it for free.

 

[BirdDog123]

Whoa I really appreciate that offer infoman! I will shoot you a pm if I get stuck on it.. should get everything in by Monday.

I thought 250 was a little steep too.. thats 1/5th the price of the rifle!

 

[DaveB]

When stripped lowers are selling for over 150 bucks, some places feel they can charge the moon to put the pieces together. I am keeping a lsit of those places that gouge and they will never see my face or my money again.

 

[pcrc]

I think I gave about $30 few years back to have mine done. Took about 15 minutes and after watching him do it I will do next one myself. Headspace is not an issue with milspec.

 

[JimFromTN]

FGS did not jack up their prices. They have always overcharged. I would never have them do any work or ever buy a scope from them either. Go to swfa or cameralandny and save yourself a fortune on the scope.

 

[53caddy]

If you were closer I would help. Just went thru the same process and no problem at all. Actually fairly simple

 

[BirdDog123]

If you were closer I would help. Just went thru the same process and no problem at all. Actually fairly simple

Is getting the torque right the hardest part? My buddy said he could get the torque wrench and barrel nut wrench.. should be smooth sailing from there?

I'll post pics once complete!

 

[infoman jr.]

None of it is really hard. Just get the minimum required torque, then turn the barrel nut until upper receiver hole lines up with a notch/hole in the barrel nut.

What kind of gas block did you get, a clamp-on or one that works with set screws?

 

[BirdDog123]

Set screws, it is the Troy low profile gas block

 

[BMan]

Franklin Gun Shop.

'nuff said.

 

[David]

Fgs is good when u can't find what you are looking for anywhere else, that's about it

 

[treefarmer]

Try Lock, Stock & Barrel in Franklin. Tom Marker the owner is a retired tool & Die maker so he knows what he is doing and from my dealings with him, he charges a fair price. 105 Southeast Parkway, 591-1721.

 

[Buccaneer]

Headspace not an issue. Get tools at Brownells or MidwayUSA you'll need them anyway. Go to www.ar15.com and do your research. Go see Infoman.

 

[BirdDog123]

All finished! pics soon to come. The installation was very easy actually.. dumped off 10 rounds pretty quick with no headspace issues or problems with the gas tube

 

[BirdDog123]

Before:



After:





Specs:
Barrel: 6.8 SPCII ARP 16 inch Target Crown w/ 1/11.25 twist
Trigger: Geisselle SSA-E
Stock: Ace Skeleton
Scope: Trijicon Accupoint

This is going to be a deer SLAYER lol.. This has been a 2 year project but finally glad it all came together right

 

[infoman jr.]

Nice! I have the SD version of that trigger on my .300 blackout. Pretty awesome!

What handguard is that? That's a new one on me.

 

[BirdDog123]

Diamondhead VR-S, I had never heard of it either but I highly recommend them! They are a little bit cheaper than Troy. I really liked how the barrel nut just needed a crescent wrench to tighten!

 

[Greg M]

Silly. I charge less to assemble an entire rifle, upper and lower. If you DIY, get the AGI video on assembling an AR from a kit. Excellent step by step video for beginners. NO HS gauges needed.

 

[tasaman]

Definitely like that handguard. I don't hate rails but I do like that you aren't forced to accept the with the Diamondhead. Add em if you want them.

 

[spoon]

Just completed my first custom build will say you don't need a gunsmith for anything on an AR as there are plenty of YouTube videos to walk you thru the process.

 

[Headhunter]

Do not under any circumstances use the Franklin Gun shop for gunsmithing and they are overpriced. I carried a shotgun to them to have work done on it. Was overcharged, gun was not fixed, and gun had cosmetic damage from the gunsmith. Horrible is all I can say. The owner told me personally that it was only
a $1200 gun and the scratching and screw damage was acceptable to him.

 

[BirdDog123]

haha.. only a 1200$ gun.. he probably only said that cus thats what he charges for an SKS

 

[deerhunter10]

I wont buy anything from them. they are crazy high.