Does anyone know if the triangular handguard from a Brownells A1 parts kit will fit a DA556 rifle from CanadaAmmo? Im toying with the idea of putting together an A1 "clone" but my budget is very tight. Seems like mating DA556 to an A1 parts kit would be the most cost effective way of doing this.
DA556 with a A1 parts kit?
- Thread starter ColKurtz
- Start date
Hello,
The A1 buttstock and A1 grip are a direct swap. The handguard up front is a different story. You will be required to change out the handguard endcap from a round to a triangular (.625" barrel). This requires removing the front sight post. The taper pins can be a pain. They are doable as I've done a few sets but this is definitely the hardest part. While you are there you may as well swap out the delta ring for a A1 flat style. The parts can be had cheap but are tough to find from time to time.
The A1 buttstock and A1 grip are a direct swap. The handguard up front is a different story. You will be required to change out the handguard endcap from a round to a triangular (.625" barrel). This requires removing the front sight post. The taper pins can be a pain. They are doable as I've done a few sets but this is definitely the hardest part. While you are there you may as well swap out the delta ring for a A1 flat style. The parts can be had cheap but are tough to find from time to time.
#1bcshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- North Of The DMZ (US border)
Yes they do . But you have to change the front hand guard retainer from a norc round cap to a triangle cap
One of the Norinco conversions I did
One of the Norinco conversions I did
#1bcshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- North Of The DMZ (US border)
The delta ring no but the cap yes if you want triangle hand guards .
Travis Bickle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Upper Lower Middle Alberta
Actually the Norc barrel nuts are a little off as well. The Norc ones are longer than standard. Not a lot but enough that handguards don't fit properly.
This is the reason you cannot readily swap out standard hand guards onto a DA556 without removing material from the guards where the barrel nut teeth fit into them.
You will notice the barrel nut is always slightly past the notch in the guards where they are supposed to go. Ditto with the CQA clones. You could just dremel out the guards in the recess to make the notch wider all around though.
I just went through this entire process on my barrel swap with my M16A1 clone.
The Norc DA556 has round caps. You will need to swap this for a triangular 0.625" diam hole one.
You will need to remove the gas block. The Norc pins can be a bear. I have attempted to remove 3 gas blocks in my time. 2 of them I was successful relatively easy and 1 would not come out; the Norc DA556 lol
Here's the kicker, if you cut off the gas block to change the cap and barrel nut, you have to find a new gas block, the taper pin holes will very likely not line up. Now you're looking at smith work to redrill the pin holes. Tier 1 did mine (outstanding work) but it was $200 for work and shipping plus an almost 5 month wait. They could not hammer out the pins either they had to physically cut the FSB off.
So remove block (if you can) swap the round cap and barrel nut for NA standard type (unless you want to dremel out the A1 handguards you may not have to change the barrel nut. I just swapped mine as I had the block off at that point anyway.
FYI the norc DA556 barrels are excellent quality, mine shoots 55gr FMJ bulk like a fackin' lazer. Very well made.
A1 is the way to go brother, best AR15 config of all time
This is the reason you cannot readily swap out standard hand guards onto a DA556 without removing material from the guards where the barrel nut teeth fit into them.
You will notice the barrel nut is always slightly past the notch in the guards where they are supposed to go. Ditto with the CQA clones. You could just dremel out the guards in the recess to make the notch wider all around though.
I just went through this entire process on my barrel swap with my M16A1 clone.
The Norc DA556 has round caps. You will need to swap this for a triangular 0.625" diam hole one.
You will need to remove the gas block. The Norc pins can be a bear. I have attempted to remove 3 gas blocks in my time. 2 of them I was successful relatively easy and 1 would not come out; the Norc DA556 lol
Here's the kicker, if you cut off the gas block to change the cap and barrel nut, you have to find a new gas block, the taper pin holes will very likely not line up. Now you're looking at smith work to redrill the pin holes. Tier 1 did mine (outstanding work) but it was $200 for work and shipping plus an almost 5 month wait. They could not hammer out the pins either they had to physically cut the FSB off.
So remove block (if you can) swap the round cap and barrel nut for NA standard type (unless you want to dremel out the A1 handguards you may not have to change the barrel nut. I just swapped mine as I had the block off at that point anyway.
FYI the norc DA556 barrels are excellent quality, mine shoots 55gr FMJ bulk like a fackin' lazer. Very well made.
A1 is the way to go brother, best AR15 config of all time
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#1bcshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- North Of The DMZ (US border)
Brownells has the retro furniture sets , with the shorter A1 stocks and triangle handguards - I bought two, and they're pretty decent for the price.
I may do that. Do you know approx how much Landed one set would be? I really only need the Handguards though- I also have a 'fake' M203 w/ Colt stamping buried somewhere- its actually decent enough quality {airsoft} meant for this style. May see for sh*tzn'gigglez & fit' it on...just to have that Preditor' Vibe I alwayz wanted, & to get some laughs at the Range
similar to this one- 
How'd you get them shipped up here? Cost?
Brownells shipped here, no problem. Cost was around $70 US per full furniture set, plus shipping, plus exchange. Worked out to something like $30 for shipping for the two sets? I bought some other stuff in my order as well.
Edited: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...ts/ar-15-retro-furniture-sets-prod109340.aspx
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I can confirm that Brownel's does ship these... Got mine a couple weeks ago and they were $120ish Cdn. Have only fitted the butt stock and the pistol grip... the upper is at the gunsmiths right now to get the taper pins removed from the fsb.
