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What did you do to your firearm today.

Over a few days doing a little here and there on this project..

One 7.62 NATO M5 getting a new Criterion 16 inch barrel and a new Spikes BCG, basically I like to match a chrome barrel with a phosphate BCG (which is chrome interior, a bit more rugged) and QPQ with QPQ..

Other M5, the FDE one, lower is all assembled (basically Aero, an STR, and a MBT2S), and its getting an M5E1 upper, guard, Criterion 22 inch stainless QPQ 6.5 Creedmoor barrel, JP adjustable block, ambi paddle ch, and the QPQ BCG out of the other M5 (which is a typical Aero reduced firing pin version for 6.5 or 7.62)...

So going at this by doing the barrel swap first, then will assemble the new rifle.

Pile of parts:

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Check headspace with the Spikes bolt.. Step 1 disassemble BCG and remove extractor and ejector from bolt..

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GO fits and field as well as NO GO fail..

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Pack it up for now, reassemble without extractor or ejector for final check upon barrel installation.


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Handguard coming off the upper, takes a little gas to break the loctite...

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Everything came right apart, probably can even re-use the screws.

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Gas block - same tool, only purple loctite so screws broke free without heat needed.

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Gas block and tube removed together, ready to pack these parts up, clamp, and strip barrel..

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Aaaaand its being a c***. Gonna have to go to one of the shop vices cause my inside bench isn't sufficient for the torque its gonna take.

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Man, I really wish common AR headspace gauges were offered with sections removed for the ejector. I know some shops custom make them for themselves, but it would be great if they were offered for sale.

Yes absolutely had the same thoughts, of course then you have dual ejector clockings that are not standardized (ie KAK, Toolcraft, DD all use different patterns).

Honestly though with the right setup its pretty quick, a couple minutes in or out. That little tool and a good punch works wonders.
 
Got the new barrel torqued on there, took a shim because the timing was of course so precisely wrong a point of the barrel nut was causing a clearance problem with the gas tube. Gas block back on. Put the rail back on, new cage & washer, checked headspace again and fit/action of BCG and good to go. Just gotta initially clean, re-install optic and put my BCG back together, gtg. Then onto the Creedmoor model.

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Finally got a Holosun 509t with decent quality control. My new nightstand/EoD setup is complete. Now I just need to zero the dot and figure out which sights will 1/3 co-witness.
 

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Now that I have the right tools I will be replacing the spring kit for my Desert Eagle.

ETA: Wow! That was challenging! Two hours and I finally made it through. Taking apart the bolt is probably the hardest part of the complete field strip.
 

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Was going to sell this thing but decided to just do a little work to keep it interesting.
How it started.
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Installed wilson magwell grips, flat recoil spring and a comp for fun.
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I still was pretty unhappy with the slip on magwell fit with the grips. I was looking for a different look. So i ordered one of the wilson round butt magwells. Took a little fitting. But im really happy now with the final outcome. The slip on magwell also wasn't rounded to match the grips like the full magwell replacement.
Part of the blending process and final blueing.
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And final assembly with the smith mag in place.
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Happy i didn't sell it now😁
 
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