Looking at M5E1 uppers and it seems somewhat similar to the Larue system (but much less precise of course). Does anyone have experience with changing barrels on M5E1's and trying to do a poor man's barrel change? I'm not expecting 0.5" return to zero, but any experience would be appreciated.
Aero Precision M5E1
- Thread starter rlsmith1
- Start date
Shouldn't be an issue.... however, you still need to time the barrel nut for the gas tube.
Quote...
"The M5E1 Handguard Barrel Nut is used to connect Aero Precision M5 Enhanced Handgaurds to DMPS pattern threaded upper receivers. This product comes with 5 shims to properly time the gas tube with the upper receiver."
As for the barrel change, just make sure to buy a DPMS pattern barrel.
And I am a fan of lapping the upper receiver face, and loctiting in the barrel.
I think thats for putting a M5E1 handguard onto a regular receiver.
The actual Aero M5E1 receiver has that built into it.
It takes about 5 minutes to change a barrel on the m5e1. Provided you have all your tools, vise and work station already set up. There is no timing the barrel nut on the E1 version.
Its similar to any other barrel change. Yeah there's no timing but theres other handguards that dont require timing either. I think M5E1is supposed to be sort of a semi monolithic free float. I have one, its ok. Dont change barrels often.
Have you guys measured POI change between barrel changes? Of course swapping a 308 for 6.5 barrel is going to have a change but if you swap 308 to 6.5 and back to 308, how close is the 308 to the original zero?
Way easier to pop a couple pins and just change uppers.
Yeah I dont think people swap barrels on ARs, its cheap enough to just built multiple uppers.
I know it's $250-300 for an upper / handguard but that's $ I'd rather spend on ammo to actually shoot if possible. If $ didn't matter I'd go Larue OBR and MRAD for 2 platforms and any number of calibers
Multiple uppers would be my choice. Sounds like a pain in the ass to disassemble an upper every time you want to swap barrels
You should really do a little more research.
If you bought two M5E1 uppers and barreled them you could share a handguard. I'm not sure how minimal purchases like another gas block and tube or rail would greatly impact your shooting given the price of ammo now. Sticking to one caliber is probably the best plan these days.
M5e1 uppers can have loose fits to the barrel extension depending on brand. With my JP barrel I have to shim two thousandth and it's still a little wiggly. I don't see how you would get the same POI every swap.
Along with others mentioning it, you will get tired of trying to swap frequently.
Along with others mentioning it, you will get tired of trying to swap frequently.
And if you are gluing your barrel extension into the upper with Loctite it will be that much more of a pain it the ass to get apart. I second the separate barreled uppers. If you follow the Aero website they frequently have deals on blemished uppers and lowers. Frankly, that's all I buy.
Fine I'll stop being poor thanks guys. I just had found a great deal on a 6.5 barrel and didn't want to jump into a whole other upper but I guess complete ARs have been built around smaller parts
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