Lockhart Raven Questions

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ZeusDragon

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Hey all new here have a Raven 556 on order with the option they're offering now with no handguard/barrel nut. Was just wondering for anyone who has swapped the handguard out or done any other gunsmithing on their Raven what products do you recommend? Looking at getting a vise but otherwise unsure about the best clamping mechanism for the upper.

The NcStar VISM & Wheeler Delta AR Upper Block both look really solid but unsure of fitment - do Raven takedown pins align with standard AR15?
https://www.wheelertools.com/gunsmi...ries-ar-upper-pic-rail-vise-block/156888.html
https://www.ncstar.com/optics-acc/tools/ar15-tools/vtaruvb-upper-receiver-block-for-ar-15

The Midwest Industries Upper Receiver Rod has rave reviews but again unsure if this is compatible with the Raven?
https://midwestindustriesinc.com/upper-receiver-rod/

Any other tools you recommend for doing work on the Raven platform?

Probably noob questions but I've never owned an AR15 (got PAL just last year) and this will be by far my most ambitious project in the last year of firearm ownership. Installing a new trigger in the X95 was a herculean effort and had to do it twice. That barrel lock was a real pain in the ****ing a$$.

Really appreciate any info you can provide to help out here. Thank you!
 
I've used a Magpul BEV Block to work on my Raven upper. I ordered a stripped upper and installed a 300blk barrel. I would recommend it, but I haven't tried anything else, so I don't have much to compare it to.
 
I would go the Reaction Rod route personally as that goes through the upper (but doesn't touch it / put pressure on it at all) and holds via the barrel bolt lugs. Crazy strong with no pressure at all on the aluminum receiver.

I generally put mine at a slight upward angle in a vise (so the upper / barrel cannot slide off easily due to gravity) and slide the receiver & barrel on then torque / whatever.
 
I think a reaction rod is more practical than any of the tools you listed. The ones that are listed are purpose built for the ar platform which has a known mil spec dimensions.

With a reaction rod as long as the receiver doesn’t have a solid block at the end and it uses a standard barrel with an ar extension the reaction rod can be used. For example the raven, ws mcr, wk 180, crypto all can use a reaction rod.
 
Of the tools you listed, only the Midwest one will work with the Raven.

The pins do not line up with the standard AR, which is part of how they get around not being a variant.

I have used the BEV Block from Magpul, but it feels a little flimsy for my liking. If i was to do it again, which I probably will at some point now that I have a "spare" Raven upper, I would use a reaction rod. There isn't anything wrong parse about the BEV, but I wasn't a big fan of it.

The reaction rod would also give you better options for how you want to set everything up in the vise.

One thing I will add too....don't cheap out on the vise. Make sure it's a solid one. The chances of you using it for more than just the odd rifle build are in credibly high, specially if you like to tinker and fix things around the house.
 
Just to complicate things, I am not a fan of reaction rods. In my opinion, the problem is that they place all the stress on the indexing pin.

I used one when I was building my MRA Renegade. Despite using an accurate torque wrench, I ended up "peening" out the barrel index pin slot which misaligned the extension and bolt. Ended up getting a second upper from warranty, with the same thing happening.

As noted above, I believe this happened because the torque is transferred to the receiver when the bolt is tightened. If it isnt supported properly, then the index pin is taking all the force.

Anyhow, just my thoughts.
 
BKnill1 said:
Just to complicate things, I am not a fan of reaction rods. In my opinion, the problem is that they place all the stress on the indexing pin.

I used one when I was building my MRA Renegade. Despite using an accurate torque wrench, I ended up "peening" out the barrel index pin slot which misaligned the extension and bolt. Ended up getting a second upper from warranty, with the same thing happening.

As noted above, I believe this happened because the torque is transferred to the receiver when the bolt is tightened. If it isnt supported properly, then the index pin is taking all the force.

Anyhow, just my thoughts.
Click to expand...
Yeah this is what I was seeing in my research that the Midwest Industries Upper Receiver Rod seems to alleviate
 
No matter how you clam it unless you use the old school alumimum barrel clamp shell vice block, the index pin will be under "stress" if the barrel nut is not torqued properly. It is very important to have the barrel nut torqued properly ( and have a proper barrel nut)

The muzzle device is torqued at 18 to 25ft/lb - but people also use rocksett or whatever so use water or heat depending what it is used
 
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