Need Gunsmith Recommendations

[sigfanboy13]

Hello Everyone,

I have a couple of projects I'd like to have a gunsmith look at, and I'm hoping the brain trust can recommend some.

I recently purchased a pre-94 Colt AR. Due to it being shortly before the ban, Colt sawed-off the bayonet lug for reasons. I'd like to have a new one put on while keeping the barrel (its a 1/7 Chrome HBAR and I'm pretty fond of it). Is this even possible or would I be better off spending my time and money getting another barrel?

Thanks,

An AR noob

 

[Rob Boudrie]

This is fairly easy - you replace the sight tower. Since the cross pins holding the tower on are drilled with the barrel, it is pretty much impossible to drill an original design sight tower and fit it to your existing barrel. That's the bad news. The good news if you can remove the existing sight tower and replace it with a clamp-on style with the bayonet lug. One such model is A.R.M.S. Silhouette #41-B-L - Folding Front Sight Barrel Mounted, With Bayonet Lug.

The only limitation of clamp on towers (which contain an integral gas block) is the screws can work loose under extended full auto fire.

 

[DecOFlaherty]

Northeast Arms in Peabody is great.

 

[dhuze]

This is fairly easy - you replace the sight tower. Since the cross pins holding the tower on are drilled with the barrel, it is pretty much impossible to drill an original design sight tower and fit it to your existing barrel. That's the bad news. The good news if you can remove the existing sight tower and replace it with a clamp-on style with the bayonet lug. One such model is A.R.M.S. Silhouette #41-B-L - Folding Front Sight Barrel Mounted, With Bayonet Lug.

The only limitation of clamp on towers (which contain an integral gas block) is the screws can work loose under extended full auto fire.

Isn't the front sight the gas block too? Unless there is something different with a Colt it's just a pinned on part.

PSA AR15 A2 Front Sight Gas Block w/ Bayonet Lug

 

[sigfanboy13]

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[PatMcD]

Ya, that's like the simplest do-it-thing you can do on an AR.

 

[Horrible]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but does anyone know of a gunsmith that is good at installing APEX trigger kits on M&P 2.0 between Waltham and Worcester?

How much should I expect to pay for such a service?

I am sure that this is not the most complex job, but I really don't have experience in this area nor a lot of time to mess with it, so seeking a professional. Thanks

 

[LLF]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but does anyone know of a gunsmith that is good at installing APEX trigger kits on M&P 2.0 between Waltham and Worcester?

How much should I expect to pay for such a service?

I am sure that this is not the most complex job, but I really don't have experience in this area nor a lot of time to mess with it, so seeking a professional. Thanks

Four Seasons in Woburn says they will do it for $90 plus tax.

 

[DarthRevan]

Another bump for northeast arms even though it isn't in the area you're looking for.

 

[Freddy B]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but does anyone know of a gunsmith that is good at installing APEX trigger kits on M&P 2.0 between Waltham and Worcester?

How much should I expect to pay for such a service?

I am sure that this is not the most complex job, but I really don't have experience in this area nor a lot of time to mess with it, so seeking a professional. Thanks

Try Chris at Precision Point in Woburn.

 

[92G]

you want an apex in a 2.0? unless S&W is installing the gorilla heavy trigger springs in the 2.0, every 2.0 i've felt was nice and probably wouldn't much benefit from an apex. it's an easy installation. the most complex part is drifting the rear sight to exchange the firing pin plunger. wherever you go just be sure they are doing this step...i've seen one apex "job" that left the factory firing pin plunger in place which is pathetic.

if your'e near worcester i would check with pullman arms.

 

[Horrible]

you want an apex in a 2.0? unless S&W is installing the gorilla heavy trigger springs in the 2.0, every 2.0 i've felt was nice and probably wouldn't much benefit from an apex. it's an easy installation. the most complex part is drifting the rear sight to exchange the firing pin plunger. wherever you go just be sure they are doing this step...i've seen one apex "job" that left the factory firing pin plunger in place which is pathetic.

if your'e near worcester i would check with pullman arms.

Thank you. Factory MA Compliant 2.0 and yes the trigger sucks.

 

[BREWINZ]

Thank you. Factory MA Compliant 2.0 and yes the trigger sucks.

Another vote for Pullman Arms. They did mine and I love it. $135 with trigger kit included.

 

[Fixxah]

This is fairly easy - you replace the sight tower. Since the cross pins holding the tower on are drilled with the barrel, it is pretty much impossible to drill an original design sight tower and fit it to your existing barrel. That's the bad news. The good news if you can remove the existing sight tower and replace it with a clamp-on style with the bayonet lug. One such model is A.R.M.S. Silhouette #41-B-L - Folding Front Sight Barrel Mounted, With Bayonet Lug.

The only limitation of clamp on towers (which contain an integral gas block) is the screws can work loose under extended full auto fire.

Does that include full-semi auto as well?

 

[Rob Boudrie]

Does that include full-semi auto as well?

Use a decent loctite and check it from time to time and you probably won't have a problem. The situation I am familiar with was a military qualification where they ran thousands of rounds full auto through a gun with a screw clamped sight tower and the weapon was disqualified because the screws loosened.

And there are at least three systems:

- Pinned
- Clamp on w/screws
- Set Screws

(I dislike the later since it craps out the barrel with screw head scratches)

 

[sschevy]

I have original colt sight towers in stock with the bayo lug that I can install on your original colt barrel without drilling new taper pin holes or modifying the original barrel if that's something that your interested in doing

northeast arms Rt1 south Peabody
978-826-5457

 

[Horrible]

Another vote for Pullman Arms. They did mine and I love it. $135 with trigger kit included.

Damn. Wish I knew that BEFORE I bought the Apex set myself.

 

[BREWINZ]

Damn. Wish I knew that BEFORE I bought the Apex set myself.

They'll still do it for less than $135 then. I just can't remember what they charged, but it was reasonable. I had already bought my kit too.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

I have original colt sight towers in stock with the bayo lug that I can install on your original colt barrel without drilling new taper pin holes or modifying the original barrel if that's something that your interested in doing

northeast arms Rt1 south Peabody
978-826-5457

Most interesting. How do you that?

 

[DarthRevan]

Most interesting. How do you that?

With tools.

 

[chrbla2000]

I'll put a plug in for Mark at Consolidated Firearms Services in Hudson, MA. He's done work for me on 2 pistols and I've been very happy with the results.

-chris

Gunsmith in Metrowest, Hudson MA - Consolidated Firearm Services

 

[Horrible]

They'll still do it for less than $135 then. I just can't remember what they charged, but it was reasonable. I had already bought my kit too.

Yup. Took your advice and went down to Pullman today. They charged me $45 for the install. From what I can tell from dry fire, it’s pretty damn nice!

Thank you for the recommendation. Not only do they do work at a good price , they are also fighting Dimples’ BS!

 

[BREWINZ]

Yup. Took your advice and went down to Pullman today. They charged me $45 for the install. From what I can tell from dry fire, it’s pretty damn nice!

Thank you for the recommendation. Not only do they do work at a good price , they are also fighting Dimples’ BS!

Happy to hear it! I love mine. Night and day difference.

 

[sigfanboy13]

I have original colt sight towers in stock with the bayo lug that I can install on your original colt barrel without drilling new taper pin holes or modifying the original barrel if that's something that your interested in doing

northeast arms Rt1 south Peabody
978-826-5457

Dammit Steve you really are good at separating me form my money, I'm interested. I don't suppose you have any bayonets to go with it?

 

[sschevy]

I don’t have any bayonets but they’re easy enough for me to get, usually short money too

 

[Lefty38-55]

Uhhh ... me thinks it's more properly called the Front Sight Block (FSB) or Front Sight Block Assembly. And ditto the good word on the guys from NE Arms in Peabody.

 

[Arto]

LaRocca in Worcester does a great trigger job on M&P's! LaRocca Gun Works of Worcester, MA - Custom Handguns, Rifles and Shotguns