Gas-less Grendel build anyone?

[Dscoduc]

I've been looking at some of the new AR-15 upper designs around single-shot and side-charging systems. There are a couple side-charging systems that have been around for awhile (Gibbz, BCA, NFA, etc) and a couple of new designs that look even more interesting (Lantac, Uintah) that are more of a traditional bolt-action design. The unfortunate truth about almost all of those choices is the additional cost associated with non-standard uppers.

This research is, of course, because I live in the land of Commiefornia and I am reluctant to build out my 6.5 Grendel rifle as a single-pull single-shot. So in the time between making a decision on a side-charger/bolt-action design, and gathering enough funds to purchase said decision, I am looking for how best to run my rifle as a single-shot and eliminate the need for featureless "features".

For starters I do not want to permanently seal the gas port on the barrel; imagine my displeasure if I ever leave this state or if a SHTF situation comes up and I am unable to revert this rifle back to the natural order of things. So my next though was to remove the gas tube and figure out how best to close off the gas port. One thought was to rotate the gas tube on the gas block and then trim the gas tube at the edge of the gas block. Another option is to remove the gas tube and reverse the gas block, assuming the gas port will no longer line up with the port on the gas block. Another option is to find a quality adjustable gas block, remove the gas tube, and close off the gas port completely.

So with all that in mind I am looking to hear if anyone else has made a similar design choices.

[SightedIn]

I've built three. Same boat as you, still stuck in Suckitfornia. Each was done a little bit differently. The last "prototype" turned out the best.
The Uintuh would be awsome and i would but one right now except for one crucial detail, propriatary barrel(because of the bolt lug interface).
No way to order a match barrel if you wanted one. I love my Criterions, hard to go away from them.
You have a few options on the barrel gas.
1)You can buy one with no gas port(Green mountain was making them at one time). Legal
2) You can do gas block-block method. Not legal. It has to be permamenty sealed, therefore it must take a cutting wheel,drill, saw etc to re-open the hole.
Tigthening a gas block down with a screw does not count, a simple tool can release it. Hence the term "permament"
3) You can permanenty seal the hole by a gunsmith with a "bung". Legal. Basically a slightly oversized piece of steel stock installed into the barrel. requires drilling to remove.

I've been running one with a bung for around two years now, probably near 1200 rounds through it.

[A5BLASTER]

Gents if I may ask a question. If a normal at isn't legal in your state why go throw so much trouble and spend more money to build up a straight pull ar grendel. When you can get a howa grendel barreled action and stock of your choice much easyier?

Is your state restricting bolt actions as well?

Not hating please don't think that. Just more curious, why jump throw so many hoops to have a non semi auto ar15 when a bolt action or break action grendel is so much more easyier.

[Dscoduc]

It's true that a bolt rifle is an option but I really like the modular design of the AR platform. Plus, I can have multiple uppers for a single lower that can handle different situations and calibers.

[Dscoduc]

I'm curious why you mention it must be permanent. After all, nothing is permanent on an AR platform. I can just as easily replace the barrel with one that has a gas port. Is there any specific case law that you have actually seen that talks about the permanent option?

Do you have any side charging uppers? I ended up purchasing a Lantac side charging upper and am now trying to figure out if any other bolts work with it, such as the Eisenberg or YM bolt.

[Sticks]

I'd call it an honest question that I share as well.

Not asking you to justify it, just explain the why.

Another member here did the straight pull with a Grendel and did not have much luck, as it required assistance from a piece of wood to unlock the bolt.

Mossberg makes an upper (another member has gone this route) that is a pump action upper, just replaced the barrel with a Grendel.

To each their own.

[rabiddawg]

Gents if I may ask a question. If a normal at isn't legal in your state why go throw so much trouble and spend more money to build up a straight pull ar grendel. When you can get a howa grendel barreled action and stock of your choice much easyier?

Is your state restricting bolt actions as well?

Not hating please don't think that. Just more curious, why jump throw so many hoops to have a non semi auto ar15 when a bolt action or break action grendel is so much more easyier.

Seems I recall a member on here being asked a similar question. His response was “it’s my money”

[A5BLASTER]

Seems I recall a member on here being asked a similar question. His response was “it’s my money”

Yea and that's still my response lol.

Not asking them to justify it just was wondering if it's easyier due to restrictions are something to go that route for them in since they live behind enemy lines.

[SightedIn]

Very good question. Main one is mainly that i already had all the parts required to build these before the lastet laws went into effect.
I do have several bolt actions as well and enjoy them all, but i had to legalize my AR's in some way if i wished to continue using them.

I would not recommend to anyone to go out and buy AR parts now to build a bolt action AR. It works but its not ideal.
Again, i had all the parts already, so no cost to me...

[SightedIn]

I'd call it an honest question that I share as well.

Not asking you to justify it, just explain the why.

Another member here did the straight pull with a Grendel and did not have much luck, as it required assistance from a piece of wood to unlock the bolt.

Mossberg makes an upper (another member has gone this route) that is a pump action upper, just replaced the barrel with a Grendel.

To each their own.

Sticks,
Very good question. Main one is mainly that i already had all the parts required to build these before the lastet laws went into effect.
I do have several bolt actions as well and enjoy them all, but i had to legalize my AR's in some way if i wished to continue using them.

I would not recommend to anyone to go out and buy AR parts now to build a bolt action AR. It works but its not ideal.
Again, i had all the parts already, so no cost to me...

And as far as the 2x4 thing, yes there are previous threads on the site here somewhere where i explain why he had that issue.
I gave several resolutions to it:
1) Must use a matched bolt and barrel
2) Must use moderate loads, hot loads will make it stick, just like a sticky bolt lift on a bolt action when loaded hot
3) Must use a side-charge upper, rear pull t-handle will definitly not work, a leverage thing.
4) Not required but optimal is to remove the buffer weight and lighten/shorten the buffer spring. a rigged spacer is required

[SightedIn]

I'm curious why you mention it must be permanent. After all, nothing is permanent on an AR platform. I can just as easily replace the barrel with one that has a gas port. Is there any specific case law that you have actually seen that talks about the permanent option?

Do you have any side charging uppers? I ended up purchasing a Lantac side charging upper and am now trying to figure out if any other bolts work with it, such as the Eisenberg or YM bolt.

My good friend is a near 30 year vet of the OC Sheriffs dept and after his depts brifieng on the new semi laws he put it this way to me.
If you are stopped and have an AR that has no quick way of converting it to semi in the field, they have no issue.
But if they see any way, what so ever, that you could fairly easily convert, in a matter of minutes, ( like adjusting/modding the gas block), they will cite/arrest and let the attorneys duke it out.
Their thought process is one what about the bad guys. Are they going to mod ARs and have them legally, but the moment they want to rob a bank just take a few tools and mod them to semi.
So we discussed what was considered "permanent", and it came down to it had to either be reversable only by a gunsmith, or only reversable by way of destroying a portion of the gun
( like drilling out the bung, destroying the bung)
Im not going to say this is the wording of the law, im just saying a good source educated me on what the guys in the field are told to do, and that a possible felony or fighting with attorneys is not worth taking any chances ,for me.

As far as the side charger you asked about, my last two used BCA uppers, no issues

You near Burro by chance? Gonna be there New Years day if you'd like to see/try the upper im currently using

[Dscoduc]

Thanks for the info. I figure removing the gas tube should be sufficient but I may consider a permanent (though still not really) gas port block... I purchased a Lantac side charging upper but haven't the funds right now for their pricey bolt... I don't know if a Einsbach or YM bolt will work with the Lantac upper so I can't do anything right now for side charging...

[LtDan]

I have a total of 5 built side chargers all with no gas pipe. I sit at a bench and punch holes in paper. I like that I'm able to assemble a rifle in my garage and change calibers by pulling two pins. I'm also in Commiefornia and with this set up I can keep my mag release and pistol grip. I use a bobsled also so I can load at lengths that can't fit in a magazine. To each his own I guess

[Dscoduc]

It's funny to me to hear people say I should just buy a bolt gun. If you've noticed lately the trend with precision bolt action rifles is to use custom harnesses, like the MDT setup and the Ruger Precision Rifle. Essentially bolt rifles being configured like a modular AR platform... I had a RPR and it felt very much like my AR - same grip, same stock, same handguard, same magazines...

[Londerko]