Carrying Handles

Lin Robinson · July 16, 2002, 19:25

I have an L1A1 built on an Imbel receiver. When I bought the rifle the carrying handle was broken. The loop is still wrapped around the gas tube but the handle itself, along with the wire that connected it is gone.

I have purchased a new carrying handle but frankly do not know how far I have to go in stripping the rifle to install it. I have gone about as far as I care to go without advice on how to proceed further, which is to say I have field-stripped it.

How is the gas tube removed on this thing without taking the barrel off, or is it?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

colt88 · July 16, 2002, 19:35

Remove the gas piston, then the handguards. There is a funny looking nut at the rear of the gas tube, unscrew that until the carry handel wire can be removed. Reverse order to put new carry handle in. Colt88

**bykerhd** · July 16, 2002, 21:57

There are wrenches and military tools for removing the gas nut that is screwed into the receiver and holds the carry handle. DSA,Gunthings and most of the vendors seem to sell one or another. Good thing to have. You can sometimes substitute a Swiss Army knife can/bottle opener or wrap a piece of cloth or lightweight leather around it and try pliers. A little penetrating oil will aid the removal process. They are standard right hand thread and can be relatively expensive to replace. Careful !

MM in NM · July 16, 2002, 22:06

I made a gas nut tool from an el cheapo $.99 cent pair of chinese channel lock pliers and ten minutes at the bench grinder after I broke the nib of my Swiss Army knife. Most of the time if the gas nut is tight all it needs is to be broken loose, then unscrew with your fingers. You don't need to unscrew it all the way out to get at the carry handle, just about 2/3's. You'll know when it comes loose.

jj1 · July 17, 2002, 00:03

i just used a brass punch. a couple of light taps with a hammer
and then unscrewed by hand.i also used the punch to tighten
it back on.

Lin Robinson · July 17, 2002, 07:26

Thank you all for the quick response. I had found an exploded view of the gas system elsewhere on the net. Finding that, along with your advice, enabled me to do the installation without problem. Now the thing looks like a real L1A1. The first time I ever saw one the carry handle was the feature that caught my eye. Funny what attracts you to different firearms.

Thanks again......

July 16, 2002, 19:25	#1
Lin Robinson Registered FALaholic #: 6962 Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 18	Carrying Handles I have an L1A1 built on an Imbel receiver. When I bought the rifle the carrying handle was broken. The loop is still wrapped around the gas tube but the handle itself, along with the wire that connected it is gone. I have purchased a new carrying handle but frankly do not know how far I have to go in stripping the rifle to install it. I have gone about as far as I care to go without advice on how to proceed further, which is to say I have field-stripped it. How is the gas tube removed on this thing without taking the barrel off, or is it? Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. __________________ Lin Robinson

July 16, 2002, 19:35	#2
colt88 Registered FALaholic #: 4622 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: vaughn , wa. Posts: 343	Remove the gas piston, then the handguards. There is a funny looking nut at the rear of the gas tube, unscrew that until the carry handel wire can be removed. Reverse order to put new carry handle in. Colt88 __________________ Hell, I can't be over the hill,I haven't reached the top yet.

July 17, 2002, 07:26	#6
Lin Robinson Registered FALaholic #: 6962 Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 18	Carrying Handle Thank you all for the quick response. I had found an exploded view of the gas system elsewhere on the net. Finding that, along with your advice, enabled me to do the installation without problem. Now the thing looks like a real L1A1. The first time I ever saw one the carry handle was the feature that caught my eye. Funny what attracts you to different firearms. Thanks again...... __________________ Lin Robinson

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July 16, 2002, 21:57	#3
bykerhd Dinosaur Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 2798 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burlington Vermont area Posts: 13,262	There are wrenches and military tools for removing the gas nut that is screwed into the receiver and holds the carry handle. DSA,Gunthings and most of the vendors seem to sell one or another. Good thing to have. You can sometimes substitute a Swiss Army knife can/bottle opener or wrap a piece of cloth or lightweight leather around it and try pliers. A little penetrating oil will aid the removal process. They are standard right hand thread and can be relatively expensive to replace. Careful !

July 16, 2002, 22:06	#4
MM in NM Registered FALaholic #: 5720 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East mountains of New Mexico Posts: 461	I made a gas nut tool from an el cheapo $.99 cent pair of chinese channel lock pliers and ten minutes at the bench grinder after I broke the nib of my Swiss Army knife. Most of the time if the gas nut is tight all it needs is to be broken loose, then unscrew with your fingers. You don't need to unscrew it all the way out to get at the carry handle, just about 2/3's. You'll know when it comes loose.

July 17, 2002, 00:03	#5
jj1 Registered FALaholic #: 6880 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: jacksonville, ar Posts: 24	i just used a brass punch. a couple of light taps with a hammer and then unscrewed by hand.i also used the punch to tighten it back on.