Frontline
01-24-2009, 04:50 PM
Well, If ya know I went to SHOT, ya might know I aquired an ADAMS ARMS gas piston upper conversion. I installed it the other night and test fired it. It works, but it was only 3 shots. Sunday, I'll run it hard.
Today I finished the finer points of the project, mainly getting my handguards, Knights RIS units, to fit around the piston and clear it. I really like this forend assembly and Ive had it for a long time, so I made it work.
First, I followed the supplied instructions and installed the kit.
Gas block, from the front. Gas plug/regulator removed. notice 4 positions.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics009.jpg
Stainless guide bushing that gets pressed into upper reciever. It supports the 'Op rod'. Installation was very easy with the Adams SUPPLIED tool.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics003.jpg
Gas plug/regulator and piston/oprod in middle of pic.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics008.jpg
Same two pieces assembled
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics007.jpg
installing through gas block, just slide it through.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics006.jpg
Gas plug/regulator going in after piston/oprod has cleared the gas block
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics005.jpg
Gas plug/regulator almost seated
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics004.jpg
Gas plug/regulator seated and locked in the 12 oclock/full open position.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics001.jpg
Now I wanted to install my ARMS #38 S-EX Rail (The SEX rail!)BUT the damn M4 handguards are too tall for the rail.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics010.jpg
ADAMS supplies a set of slightly modified M4 handguards with the kit. the top HG has no heatshield and is opened up more to clear the piston. So I decided to remove some material off the top handguard to clear the ARMS rail. After I was 'done', It looked like ass, I wasnt satisfied with the work, so I gave the TOP HG a humane death. Anyone need a Bottom M4 HG with a heatshield?
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics011.jpg
I then fired up my 'Little Tykes' Vertical mill, and with a small ball end mill, began recontouring the interior of the Knights Rail to clear the Piston assembly.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics012.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics013.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics014.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics015.jpg
So now it clears the Knights rail HG, COOL!
Heres the Bolt carrier Mod, its a carrier key that works in conjunction with the piston/oprod. Its anchored by 2 hardened hex screws and a Stud that goes into the carrier through the old gas hole, basically 3 points.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics016.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics017.jpg
They do have a real nice carrier that the key and carrier is one piece , no screws, but I think this will do fine.
OH! and the Bolt itself...you remove the gas rings and install a Coil spring (Supplied) on the tail end of the bolt, then install bolt into carrier as you normally would. Now the Bolt is always extended, UNLESS locked into battery.
Its a GOOD spring too. Its exhibits VERY smooth operation.
Heres the finished product, I wanted to do this mainly because this Colt nearly ALWAYS has the suppressor on it. With almost zero gas blowback, it will be a worthy investment. I will need to get a flip up front sight, Im thinking a Midwest industries or a Troy will suit it fine.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics018.jpg
Overall, Id say the level of difficulty installing this was a 3 out of 10. Just follow the instructions in the order given. and read them thoroughly. heres a Link to their site.
http://www.adamsarms.net/products.html
I am an unpaid, unaffiliated user of their products and thought you might be interested in this.
Scott Womack, Frontline Ordnance, 07 FFL
Today I finished the finer points of the project, mainly getting my handguards, Knights RIS units, to fit around the piston and clear it. I really like this forend assembly and Ive had it for a long time, so I made it work.
First, I followed the supplied instructions and installed the kit.
Gas block, from the front. Gas plug/regulator removed. notice 4 positions.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics009.jpg
Stainless guide bushing that gets pressed into upper reciever. It supports the 'Op rod'. Installation was very easy with the Adams SUPPLIED tool.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics003.jpg
Gas plug/regulator and piston/oprod in middle of pic.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics008.jpg
Same two pieces assembled
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics007.jpg
installing through gas block, just slide it through.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics006.jpg
Gas plug/regulator going in after piston/oprod has cleared the gas block
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics005.jpg
Gas plug/regulator almost seated
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics004.jpg
Gas plug/regulator seated and locked in the 12 oclock/full open position.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics001.jpg
Now I wanted to install my ARMS #38 S-EX Rail (The SEX rail!)BUT the damn M4 handguards are too tall for the rail.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics010.jpg
ADAMS supplies a set of slightly modified M4 handguards with the kit. the top HG has no heatshield and is opened up more to clear the piston. So I decided to remove some material off the top handguard to clear the ARMS rail. After I was 'done', It looked like ass, I wasnt satisfied with the work, so I gave the TOP HG a humane death. Anyone need a Bottom M4 HG with a heatshield?
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics011.jpg
I then fired up my 'Little Tykes' Vertical mill, and with a small ball end mill, began recontouring the interior of the Knights Rail to clear the Piston assembly.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics012.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics013.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics014.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics015.jpg
So now it clears the Knights rail HG, COOL!
Heres the Bolt carrier Mod, its a carrier key that works in conjunction with the piston/oprod. Its anchored by 2 hardened hex screws and a Stud that goes into the carrier through the old gas hole, basically 3 points.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics016.jpg
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics017.jpg
They do have a real nice carrier that the key and carrier is one piece , no screws, but I think this will do fine.
OH! and the Bolt itself...you remove the gas rings and install a Coil spring (Supplied) on the tail end of the bolt, then install bolt into carrier as you normally would. Now the Bolt is always extended, UNLESS locked into battery.
Its a GOOD spring too. Its exhibits VERY smooth operation.
Heres the finished product, I wanted to do this mainly because this Colt nearly ALWAYS has the suppressor on it. With almost zero gas blowback, it will be a worthy investment. I will need to get a flip up front sight, Im thinking a Midwest industries or a Troy will suit it fine.
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c202/weaponspc/Reference/gunpics018.jpg
Overall, Id say the level of difficulty installing this was a 3 out of 10. Just follow the instructions in the order given. and read them thoroughly. heres a Link to their site.
http://www.adamsarms.net/products.html
I am an unpaid, unaffiliated user of their products and thought you might be interested in this.
Scott Womack, Frontline Ordnance, 07 FFL