AR10 project- by the numbers

A few weeks ago, I decided to get rid of some equipment that I was no longer using. Good equipment, acquired free of charge- but not being used, and taking up limited space in the workshop. I ended up trading for a brand new DelTon AR10 carbine.

First, I mounted this Horus Blackbird 1.5 - 8x in a Larue mount, and fired a few groups of match ammo to get an idea of the accuracy potential. It grouped about 2 MOA, despite the terrible stock trigger.

Then it was time to tear it apart. The barrel nut was more difficult to remove than any AR type rifle I have ever seen. Yes, I was using the right tools, but it still stripped the teeth off the barrel nut. No idea how or why the assembler put it on this tight. I sprayed PB blaster all through the delta ring area, and let it sit overnight. It took me standing on the work bench to keep it on the ground, and a friend on the wrench to get the nut off. Fortunately, I didn't need it again.

Then I went through my boxes of stuff, and selected the parts to upgrade.

Along with some new stuff from Brownells.

Took a break from the upper, and added a sling plate, along with a "veteran" ergo grip and VLTOR clubfoot stock. Both of these parts have been on multiple deployments, and you can still see some remnants of tan paint on the stock.

Next I worked on the upper. The MWI tube/barrel nut combo went on with no issues- just a little anti-seize on the threads, and 33 foot pounds of torque. Then I installed the MLOCK steel rail sections, and the Troy back-up irons, with blue lock-tite, and dropped in the PRI gas buster charging handle- also a "veteran part".

The next step is installing the Larue MBT trigger kit (currently on sale for $87) and the Gemtech quick-mount muzzle brake and shim kit, which is required to mount my Gemtech HVT suppressor. So at this point we're playing the waiting game, but hopefully not for too much longer. Gotta love proprietary suppressor mounts- $100 dollars for that stupid hunk of required metal! It will probably get here first, since the trigger is back-ordered. That trigger is an essential part for this project- the stock one is so bad that I had to drastically change my shooting position when I test-fired the rifle when it was in stock configuration, so I won't be firing this thing again until I have the rest of it- firing it with that original trigger at this point would be a waste of both time and ammo. That said, I am really chomping at the bit to see how this rifle performs with the new trigger and the new handguard.

troy fairweather said:

sometimes some good fast wraps with a mallet will help brake the nut loose.

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I figure the combined weight of the bench, everything on it, and me was well over 250 pounds, probably more like 275. There was a 12" breaker bar on the wrench, and the bench with me and everything else on it was 3-4 inches off the floor when that thing finally broke loose. At that point, I was mostly concerned about getting smashed by my assistance, the wrench, and the breaker bar when it let go, but I was able to avoid injury. This was the same method I used on the first attempt, but I was on the wrench and my wife (who weighs a lot less than me- which is a good thing) was on the work bench, trying not to fall off it as it raised off the floor. I guess the increased counter-weight, and the PB blaster oil made all the difference in the world.

This thing came in this afternoon.

taliv said:

looks like a cool project

curious what ammo you intend to use

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Either surplus M118 LR (175 gr smk) or Federal gold medal match (168 gr SMK)

Gordon said:

I would add an adjustable gas block.

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I'm going to see how it acts with the existing block first.

Brake is installed, Harris bipod attached in a KAC mount, receivers pinned together. Now it looks like a gun. Still waiting on my Larue trigger (MBT).

Gordon said:

I think you know how to properly massage the trigger it came with , I did that to my AR-10 while "waiting" on a La Rue and never looked back. Crisp 4 pounds in two hours of honing. But I was lucky with the nasty AERO Trigger.

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I could, but for $87, I'll just wait for the good one.

Well, finally got a package in from Larue! Installed the trigger with no problems, and put on my can. Go figure- the trigger came in while I was at the range, so now I have to wait until next week to start shooting this thing. So, other than putting on the padded V-TAC sling (when I remember where I put it) and eventually adding a do-dad or 2 to help me take out hogs at night- this thing is done. Not bad for something I got together spending only about $350, trading some unused gear, and scrounging around the workshop for the rest. Assuming it works right.