A2 upper question

[sleestak]

I have a sport model M&P and want to put a carry handle on it. I already bought the detachable one and didn't like it. I want to buy an A2 upper with sight and dust cover. My questions are:

Can I transfer the barrel and bolt and all the other stuff to the new upper?

If yes will it still be as reliable as it is now? (It's been 100%)

Is this something I can do or is it better to have a smith do it?

Thanks for the help!!

 

[skojiro]

It's doable but...

The barrel and bolt interface really is the most important aspect of this process and since your using the same pair there should be no headspace issues so no need for a gun smith to do this task.

Swapping the barrel is actually an easy job with the right tools. The problem is they are all AR specific so unless you plan on working on or building more than 1 AR it can be cost prohibitive to invest in the tools.

You'll need a barrel nut wrench (or amorer's wrench), an upper vise block (or better yet a reaction rod or BEV block) and a good vise. You'll have to remove the gas block or the gas tube at least so that requires some punches to remove the gas tube roll pin.

So if your just swapping barrels you could remove the hand guard, remove the gas tube roll pin and then the gas tube, remove the barrel nut, move entire barrel assembly to new upper and reverse the process making sure to line up the barrel nut delta ring assembly to accept the gas tube and done.

Sooch actually has a simple, short vid on removing a barrel to get you an idea on the task at hand. Since your not needing to remove everything like he is it more to get you familiar with the parts. [ame="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YhDSGgpdoPU"]Removing an AR barrel[/ame]

Sorry for the long response but I figure if it was all spelled out you could determine better if it was something you want to undertake.

Good luck and have fun

 

[sleestak]

Thank you for the detailed response! I think i will have a local smith do it for me.
Will it still be as reliable?
Is there an upper you or anybody recommends?

 

[cyphertext]

Thank you for the detailed response! I think i will have a local smith do it for me.
Will it still be as reliable?
Is there an upper you or anybody recommends?

Provided the upper is in spec, it should be reliable... However, what is it that you didn't like about the detachable carry handle? What are you hoping to gain from changing to a true A2 upper? The flat top gives you the best of both worlds... you can add a carry handle, or just an A2 rear sight plus a red dot mounted forward on the receiver. Unless you are just going for the nostalgia...

 

[sleestak]

Provided the upper is in spec, it should be reliable... However, what is it that you didn't like about the detachable carry handle? What are you hoping to gain from changing to a true A2 upper? The flat top gives you the best of both worlds... you can add a carry handle, or just an A2 rear sight plus a red dot mounted forward on the receiver. Unless you are just going for the nostalgia...

Mostly for nostalgia. I didn't like how small the detachable was and i didn't like the knobs hanging off the side either.
Any recommendations on which to buy?

 

[Dfresh15]

Mostly for nostalgia. I didn't like how small the detachable was and i didn't like the knobs hanging off the side either.
Any recommendations on which to buy?

Rock River Upper Receiver A2 for the Tactical AR15 at ADCO Firearms

 

[cyphertext]

Any recommendations on which to buy?

I guess it depends on how much you want to build. The RR that DFresh posted looks good, but pricey... the other end of the spectrum gets you a stripped upper for $50, but you have to put together everything.

http://www.cdnnsports.com/ar15-upper-receiver-a2-stripped-fixed-carry-dpms.html#.VXPS0dJViko

 

[sleestak]

Thank you for the info.