Drill & ream FSB/Barrel in the GTA?

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ChefBoyOhBoy

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Hey there,

Anyone know of a gunsmith that can drill, ream and install a FSB gas block on a 20" barrel in the GTA?

I want to/wanted to do it myself but would prefer to avoid having to buy a tapered reamer and tap wrench if possible, and potentially messing the whole thing up.

Or am I maybe overthinking it and I should give it a go? Its a cheapo 20" barrel I picked up on the EE for $100.

Cheers
 
No dice on Casey right now unfortunately, he isn't taking on new AR work at the moment.

Any other suggestions? Had it at CDN Gunworx but they aren't set up for it either apparently.

Also willing to ship it out at this point, just want the build done!
 
ChefBoyOhBoy said:
Yeah but unfortunately he's not doing it, so while I'd love to use him for the work, I cant.
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Do you want it done right? I know a few that sent some to different gun smiths and all they got back was a ruined barrel and canted sights. Casey has the FBS jigs. Other guys are going to try and free hand it.
 
Rebel Rouser said:
Do you want it done right? I know a few that sent some to different gun smiths and all they got back was a ruined barrel and canted sights. Casey has the FBS jigs. Other guys are going to try and free hand it.
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Well yes, I would, but Casey straight up told me hes not doing it, and has no timeline for when he might. Its clearly not an option.....
 
I had one done by Doug at Ellwood Epps years ago. No complaints. Unfortunately I heard that he's no longer there.
 
Leg said:
I had one done by Doug at Ellwood Epps years ago. No complaints. Unfortunately I heard that he's no longer there.
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Correct, last I heard he was working for Switzers Auction. He may be still doing that kind of work outside of his gig at Switzers. I'll have to ask him next time I see him, or someone else who works there (small town so it shouldn't take long to find out).
 
Hell, why wait to run into him...just got off the phone with him.

Doug just advised me that he isn't doing any work at the moment. If I understood correctly he doesn't have a shop at the moment, but is in the process of working on that. I predict that he'll be back at it soon though as finding a place for his equipment should be pretty simple in these parts.
 
For a 100 bucks barrel it is almost not worth the effort. The thing needs to be shipped twice and you have to pay the smith at least 100 bucks + to make it worth the effort. right there it is 130 bucks +. And there is a risk it is not done well, and if it doesn't work it is a write off of the entire 260 bucks.

May as well sell it and go buy a complete barrel - you will almost spend that much money anyways!

If it is just for fun and giggle, do it yourself and if it doesn't work just count it off as time away in the man cave.
 
greentips said:
For a 100 bucks barrel it is almost not worth the effort. The thing needs to be shipped twice and you have to pay the smith at least 100 bucks + to make it worth the effort. right there it is 130 bucks +. And there is a risk it is not done well, and if it doesn't work it is a write off of the entire 260 bucks.

May as well sell it and go buy a complete barrel - you will almost spend that much money anyways!
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I agree with greentips. Sell what you have and buy what you want.

Another option might be Ian Herron, Herron Arms.
 
angryeyebrows said:
I agree with greentips. Sell what you have and buy what you want.

Another option might be Ian Herron, Herron Arms.
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The problem is that barrels with FSB attached are getting harder to find. For some of us buying the barrel and getting the FSB installed is the only way to get what we want.

Try and find a lightweight midlength 16" or 14.5" with FSB and you'll see what I mean.

However, in the OPs case finding a 20" with FSB installed shouldn't be too bad. Stag has them.
 
Thanks for the input everyone, I've ordered a new 20" barrel with FSB for this build. I'm going to give mounting the FSB I have a go and chalk it up as a learning experience. Tapered reamer is on its way from Mcmaster!
 
Here's an idea...

Get a form 6 NIA and drive it down to Camp Perry when the Nationals are going on. It's a cool experience to spectate anyway.

The US Marines will have a tractor trailer there with a bunch of armorers with just about nothing to do most of the time.

I'll bet dollars to donuts they will fix it while you wait. They are about as friendly as a guy could ever ask and I'm sure they'd be all over it for you.

If you are in the GTA, it's not that far to drive... near Cedar Point.
 
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Calgary shooting center did mine recently, it turned out very nice. However I was pretty disappointed at waiting 5 ####ing months for them to get one reamer in to complete the job. But it was worth the wait at the end of the day, especially since finding barrels with non F marked FSB's is really tough.
 
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