Today was productive. Ran into a snag when I couldn't find my #3-56 die, but the trip across town to A&A Tradin' post (shout out to those guys, BTW. A
REAL hardware store with actual hardware and staff that knows hardware) proved fruitful, as I was able to find my 15/32"x6" buffer springs.
Anyway, got the buffer detent, buffer, magazine catch and barrel nut done today. Not sure if I'm gonna run this nut or redo it, though; it was a 5/8x1" steel spacer, so there will only be a 1/16" shoulder for the barrel flange. If I use it, I'll put a cut across the face for a spanner wrench, and the hand guards will be one piece that slide over the barrel before the front sight is attached. I also still need to stick a piece of acetyl in the back of the buffer, but that's not a big deal. Haven't decided if I'll put the triangle cuts on the front of it, either; larger bearing surface without them.
I did have to make the buffer detent pin twice; shot it across the garage, and a 1/8"x5/16" piece of steel launched across
my shop is a gonner. I;d have spent more time looking than redoing.
The buffer springs I got may need to be clipped, too. As of right now, if I release the charging handle with the bolt fully rear, it will strip a cartridge from the magazine and spit it out the open hole in the front with enough velocity to launch the whole cartridge about 20 feet with the gun is level at my chest height. If it misfeeds with a barrel in place, I guarantee it'll absolutely crush the cartridge, possibly even detonate it.
Anywho:
And one with a round sitting on the bolt face just for fun: