My Schedule 80 AR Grendel

[bj139]

My schedule 80 AR in 6.5 Grendel. Did you ever have a pistol lower and want to put on a 16" or greater barrel and have more stability? This will do in a pinch. Just go to Lowes for the parts. It is not solid enough to mortar out the rounds if they get stuck. ARs are tinker toys for adults. Just don't put a barrel less than 16" on or you will be breaking the law.��

IMG_20170823_134617 (Medium).jpg

[Frontier Gear]

Wow, I can't tell if that's a post apocalyptic build, a 1980's version of "steam punk" or just really low budget build.

If you want a very short fixed stock, this is a good option.

https://www.trinityforce.com/product/bravo-stock/

[Fredman]

Now, that’s thinking with your dipstick.

Very cool!

[204 AR]

That's pretty cool, I wondered about a float tube like that but never thought of the stock, good job.

[Frontier Gear]

By the way, with a reciprocating side charger, you wouldn't have to mortar it. Just give the bolt handle a smack with a 2x4.

[bj139]

Thanks. I was a lttle hesitant to post this for fear of disapproving comments. This was really an attempt at a low budget build.

I had to partially slit the thin wall tubing for the buttstock to get it over the pistol buffer tube but it is remarkably rigid.

I have to try some camo painting of PVC to see if that works well.

I have a few other ideas which I will post as soon as I take some photos.

[just_john]

Awesome!!

[41bear]

Bravo, that is truly out of the box thinking!

[Sticks]

Post that up with the guy that built an AK out of a grain shovel.

Nice.

[Kilco]

Lol love it!

[Frontier Gear]

The hand guard is actually pretty intriguing. It wouldn't be as cold as aluminum in the winter and is a lot less money than carbon fiber. ABS pipe would probably work as well.

[bj139]

Here is another one of my ideas, electrical schedule 40 PVC handguards.
These barrel nuts are $8 on ebay (free shipping) and will get a barrel attached to a receiver for testing purposes.
The 10 ft, 1-1/2 inch pipe, available at Lowes, has a bell end on one end.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CANTEX-Common-1-1-2-in-Actual-1-5-In-Non-Metallic-Pvc-10-ft-Conduit/50434250

It can be split with a hacksaw (2 crosscuts worked best)and directly attached to the barrel nut with SS hose clamps.
I used 2 clamps for redundancy. I wouldn't want the handguard to release accidentally
A union is necessary to make more handguards out of the rest of the pipe without the bell end, unless you made a 10 foot handguard.
I attached the union with screws but PVC cement would be permanent.
I had to cut a relief cut in the tubing inside the union to clear the gas tube as shown in the photo.

I was surprised at how rigid this is when I used it at the range.


Anyway, more options are better, IMHO.

IMG_20171215_111218 (Medium).jpgIMG_20171215_111454 (Medium).jpgIMG_20171215_112331 (Medium).jpg

[bj139]

The hand guard is actually pretty intriguing. It wouldn't be as cold as aluminum in the winter and is a lot less money than carbon fiber. ABS pipe would probably work as well.

That is why I never bought an aluminum handguard unless it came with an upper. I bought carbon fiber. It is the ultimate for cold weather.

[Frontier Gear]

I'd be tempted to try this as a barrel nut. Then you could attach the pipe "hand guard" with screws instead of hose clamps. You could either get a little longer screws or countersink the holes. I'd probably get longer screws so you don't compromise the strength of the tube.

https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/bca-slim-rail-nut-for-mlok-and-keymod-rails-rn-15

0a22df86-1746-4e2e-b6d2-5f59e80b57bd_1.jpg

Instead of splitting the tube, use either a wood or metal lathe and bore out the center of the bell or coupling a little. It would't take much. You could probably do it with some aggressive sand paper. Heck, clamp the pipe fitting in a vise and use a flap sander in a hand drill.
4731569.jpg

[bj139]

I'd be tempted to try this as a barrel nut. Then you could attach the pipe "hand guard" with screws instead of hose clamps. You could either get a little longer screws or countersink the holes. I'd probably get longer screws so you don't compromise the strength of the tube.

https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/bca-slim-rail-nut-for-mlok-and-keymod-rails-rn-15

[ATTACH=CONFIG]10447[/ATTACH]

Instead of splitting the tube, use either a wood or metal lathe and bore out the center of the bell or coupling a little. It would't take much. You could probably do it with some aggressive sand paper. Heck, clamp the pipe fitting in a vise and use a flap sander in a hand drill.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]10448[/ATTACH]

That nut should work.
I had to buy the other nut to test fit different tubing.
The first picture I posted at the beginning of this thread uses a different barrel nut which I got with my $80 carbon fiber HG.
There, I mounted it as the original HG was mounted but with longer screws I purchased at Lowes, as you are considering.

I figured even if this was unsuccessful, the most I would be out was about $10.

I just bought two more barrel nuts yesterday like the type I showed. They just get the barrel attached to the receiver at the cheapest cost.
I have even shot it that way without a HG.