milton
August 20, 2001, 13:54
Finally got started on my first build this weekend. I'm putting together an R1 kit on a Hesse stainless steel without the carry handle cut receiver.
Jayson of Investment Grade Firearms cut my R1 barrel down to around 18" and installed an EAI Zero Climb muzzle brake. Super job, thanks again. My R1 kit is par for the course with little finish or paint left. The best thing that can be said for it is that it has a very good bore. It also came with the long butt stock, so I "borrowed" the one from the Imbel kit. Any long armed people out there need a stock - WTT???
The only problem I've discovered with the Hesse receiver was that the retaining screw hole for the BHO device and the magazine release was a little tight. A couple of light taps with my brass hammer fixed it!! For the price and the effort to date, I'm very happy. The barrel timed to 11:00 o'clock, so it was time for the big tug.
My receiver wrench fits in my 6" vice with the barrel pointed up at the ceiling. I've got both an 1 1/16 inch and a 27mm wrench. The inch wrench was a good fit, but the 27mm was a better "tap" fit. Slapped on some Moly past and started yanking.
Unfortunately, in installing the barrel this way, I can't use the two rod method to check timing as I go. Therefore, I would have to tighten the barrel by eyeball, remove the barrel, and then check the timing. The first three times, I kept over timing the barrel. Too much spinach!! Finally, I took a scratch awl and made a mark where the barrel and receiver joined. Then I was able to see when I moved the barrel just a wee bit and got the proper timing. Double checked it with the two rods, then on to the lower assembly and head spacing.
Oh, as part of my application, in walking to the house from my shed, I looked down and discovered a two inch bleeding scratch on my right forearm. Got no clue how I did it. I'm inside showing my wife and 3 year old boy my handy work and all they want to do is keep asking my why I'm bleeding. Daddy's booboo. Daddy's booboo. I don't think he was talking about my rifle??
The FSE h/s/t dropped right in with no problems.
In stripping the bolt, I discovered something useful. I've got a set of Snap On picks, which includes one that looks like Captain Hook's hook. It's about 4" long with a small black handle. I bet Sears has something similar. I found that I could use it to hook into the extractor spring takedown hole and compress it with no problem. (With the bolt flat on a table, hook the plunger hole and fully compress it. You can then use your thumb on the end of the bolt to maintain the compression. You may have to use your other hand to get everything in position during the initial compression. Warning, I didn't slip, but watch your other hand in case you do. Clear as mud??) Once compressed, I could then install/remove the extractor with no problem with my free hand. Did it a couple of times and it works super easy for me.
Using Foster's Go/No-Go gauges, I found that I need a .264 locking shoulder. Of course, the one that came with the kit is a .260 and my Imbel is a .259. I've got to look at the one with my G-1, but I'm not holding my breath. Oh well. Once I get one, I'll let you know how it runs. In all it has gone much better than I expected. I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop!! So far I've kept my Dremel in my pocket, but it aint over yet.
Labor day weekend we are visiting friends in Florida. I'm going to shoot it then (if not before) and let you know how it went. After I refinish it, I'll post some pictures.
Thanks for all the Board's help. You folks are great.
Jayson of Investment Grade Firearms cut my R1 barrel down to around 18" and installed an EAI Zero Climb muzzle brake. Super job, thanks again. My R1 kit is par for the course with little finish or paint left. The best thing that can be said for it is that it has a very good bore. It also came with the long butt stock, so I "borrowed" the one from the Imbel kit. Any long armed people out there need a stock - WTT???
The only problem I've discovered with the Hesse receiver was that the retaining screw hole for the BHO device and the magazine release was a little tight. A couple of light taps with my brass hammer fixed it!! For the price and the effort to date, I'm very happy. The barrel timed to 11:00 o'clock, so it was time for the big tug.
My receiver wrench fits in my 6" vice with the barrel pointed up at the ceiling. I've got both an 1 1/16 inch and a 27mm wrench. The inch wrench was a good fit, but the 27mm was a better "tap" fit. Slapped on some Moly past and started yanking.
Unfortunately, in installing the barrel this way, I can't use the two rod method to check timing as I go. Therefore, I would have to tighten the barrel by eyeball, remove the barrel, and then check the timing. The first three times, I kept over timing the barrel. Too much spinach!! Finally, I took a scratch awl and made a mark where the barrel and receiver joined. Then I was able to see when I moved the barrel just a wee bit and got the proper timing. Double checked it with the two rods, then on to the lower assembly and head spacing.
Oh, as part of my application, in walking to the house from my shed, I looked down and discovered a two inch bleeding scratch on my right forearm. Got no clue how I did it. I'm inside showing my wife and 3 year old boy my handy work and all they want to do is keep asking my why I'm bleeding. Daddy's booboo. Daddy's booboo. I don't think he was talking about my rifle??
The FSE h/s/t dropped right in with no problems.
In stripping the bolt, I discovered something useful. I've got a set of Snap On picks, which includes one that looks like Captain Hook's hook. It's about 4" long with a small black handle. I bet Sears has something similar. I found that I could use it to hook into the extractor spring takedown hole and compress it with no problem. (With the bolt flat on a table, hook the plunger hole and fully compress it. You can then use your thumb on the end of the bolt to maintain the compression. You may have to use your other hand to get everything in position during the initial compression. Warning, I didn't slip, but watch your other hand in case you do. Clear as mud??) Once compressed, I could then install/remove the extractor with no problem with my free hand. Did it a couple of times and it works super easy for me.
Using Foster's Go/No-Go gauges, I found that I need a .264 locking shoulder. Of course, the one that came with the kit is a .260 and my Imbel is a .259. I've got to look at the one with my G-1, but I'm not holding my breath. Oh well. Once I get one, I'll let you know how it runs. In all it has gone much better than I expected. I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop!! So far I've kept my Dremel in my pocket, but it aint over yet.
Labor day weekend we are visiting friends in Florida. I'm going to shoot it then (if not before) and let you know how it went. After I refinish it, I'll post some pictures.
Thanks for all the Board's help. You folks are great.