Will it fire or blow up?

[flash-bang]

Sorry about the phone/camera pic...Here is what I have.
<span style="font-weight: bold">HAVE/HAD:</span> New, stock Windham Weaponry "HBC" 16"
<span style="font-weight: bold">Stock Specs: </span>http://www.windhamweaponry.com/pdf/TechSheets/Windham%20Weaponry%20HBC%204-25-12.pdf
<span style="font-weight: bold">Bought for $175:</span> Ace stock, DPMS A2 Buffer tube, (Both off safe queen, never used) MI SS series free float hand guard,(NIB, quality sticker seal unbroken) A1 flash hider (in my tool box), already have Harris bipod and Troy sights, need Harris adapter and will purchase glass optic for 300-400 meters...
<span style="font-weight: bold">Purchased:</span> Timney Gold 2lb trigger. Name brand (can't remember which one...) low-pro gas block.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Questions:</span>
1.Do I need to change to a rifle buffer and buffer spring? I have a takeoff DPMS rifle buffer and spring if necessary. Also a MGI 2xpower piano wire spring with 50 rds on it.

2. First timer. How do I know that this is not going to blow up and kill me? LOL, no really. I have done minor "gunsmithing" on handguns (1911 and Glocks) and am mechanically inclined. Its just that like many of you, I have had no formal training. Was in the military, Infantry, so I am "familiar" with the rifle. Have owned two Colt rifles for years. This is the first time I have removed a FSP and replaced with a gas block. Read and Reread instructions. Watched 3 different videos on this hand guards installation (handy). I know the new Colt roll pin I installed went in correctly. It all lined up perfectly, torqued to 45 ft/lbs for gas tube hole/gas tube/gas key to line up correctly. I put black Sharpie marker on gas key end and cycled BCG 20 times, no uneven wear/rub marks. Put "witness marks" on hand guard to watch for loosing. Outside, used the charging handle to quickly cycle 5 rounds, releasing the charging handle after every "pull". Cycled perfectly and had telltale dimples on primers. Sorry so long. I am ugly enough, don't want to loose my face.

 

[Silverbullet2]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

Sounds like your good to go. Built my first one in 1985. Had many a strange look pulling the trigger the first time with a 5 foot long string! Was all good, and was fairly accurate to boot. Good luck, jpg

 

[country888]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

Sounds great! If you have a rifle lenght stock then yes, you need a rifle spring and buffer. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Beef82]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

Yes rifle spring and buffer must accompany rifle length receiver extension.
The absolute worst things changing a gas block could do would be, the block and tube come off/loose, or the rifle fires but doesn't cycle or short strokes, none of which are dangerous.
Change the buffer stuff, shoot a bit to verify function, inspect for carbon streaks around the gas block indicating leaks, if all's well, shoot allot more and enjoy that good looking rifle.

 

[338RUM runner]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

Run, she's going to blow!! Should be good to go. If we don't hear back from you, we will know for sure that things didn't go so good.

 

[mtrmn]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

Everyone else verified you need the rifle buffer/spring. Only tip I can add is this:
Push out your pins and remove the upper from lower.

Remove the bolt carrier group and charging handle.

Disassemble the BCG and then insert ONLY THE STRIPPED BOLT CARRIER into the upper with the upper turned upside down.

Allow the carrier to slide forward into battery position. Is there any resistance when the carrier gas key meets the gas tube? If so, and you can see the tube move when you push the carrier fully forward, then you may need to "tweak" or bend the gas tube very slightly to center it in the gas key. You can take a Sharpie marker and color the inside of the gas key to see where the tube is hitting hardest. That way you know which way to bend it.

Also inspect the staking on the gas key screws to insure they won't back out under hard use.

 

[flash-bang]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

@silverbullet: yea, was considering 550 cord and 500MPH tape to my table, lol...

@country888: thanks for the confirm, easy fix, have the take off parts.

@beef: Whew, I feel a lot better. I know 99.9%, it is right, but until you fire it... Now at least I know I'll live to shoot again. Had a friends son shoot an old cheap 9mm and saw the slide fly off and split his lip and knock out one tooth. (It was an old cheap gun he was not familiar and shouldn't have shot. "But it was too good a deal to pass up". Now he knows why...) So I am a lil' gun-shy right now.

@xp100man: I'll shoot it tomorrow for function, but until I get glass and it cools down any meaningful pictures I get will be useless. I'm just going to function fire it. It is 110d+ and then in the sun, mirage and wind... Too much like Iraq. And I have to work on "cloverleaf" patterns. I am used to qualification as hitting the timed "pop-ups" on the qualify range. I know I can hit a man size target out to 600 meters. Just probably can't group for poop. Need another set of glass, now! (Building, aka, "assembling" a Larue lower and adding a 20" Larue Stealth upper.) Have Nightforce 3.5-15x50 F1 Mil contract overrun waiting on Larue to send me my lower. That will be my long range.)

@mtrmn: THAN YOU! after initial function check I will go back and stake the set screws, check for gas leaks and all the other fine advice given by yourself and the others. This info you provided will give me that extra boost of confidence. Really like the carrier test...

ALL! Thank You! Newbie learned something, thanks for your support! Have a short range "designated marksman" rifle, the Larue will be me "Long range target" rifle. Now I need to start a sexy CQB rifle.

*I have no stake or association With Windam Weaponry, but this was/is a fine rifle. The castings or forgings were great, parts, great, price great. Dislike 1-9" twist. I like the rifle.
But as someone else stated, "Why build more of the same?". Now they are just another AR builder. But taken apart, the machine work and gunsmithing was GREAT. Could of been a stand out.
My buddies HBC 1-9" 16" shoots great at 200m+ with 68g bullets. I didn't pay that close attention. they were Black Hills bullets. He is a "marksman" and every group impresses me, even ones he cusses. Oh well, my 2c.

 

[flash-bang]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

It was a fun build. I got two Windhams for CHEAP! Figured I'd hone my gunsmithing build skills on them and have spare take off parts. Have to be DPMS parts. (My opinion). But in hindsight, it would have been cheaper to buy a ready made rifle. This has changed? It used to be cheaper to build them. But I think if I do my part, this Windham above will be a stunner at less than 600 meters...
The highest serial number is 16xx and other is 14xx. Someone told me, "Probably their first shipment." Who know or cares, lol.

 

[mtrmn]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

Unless you are military or LE there's not a damn thing wrong with these "lower tier" weapons for 90% of the shooters out there. I would want my Colt or similar if my life depended on it, but it doesn't-for now anyway.

The only thing I've really found to my disliking is that all the barrels <span style="color: #FF0000">I've</span> gotten from the lower tiers that were marked 5.56--really weren't 5.56 and showed pressure signs with 5.56 ammo. I fixed that by buying a Ned Christensen reamer.

The 1/9 twist barrel is fine for 70 gr and under projectiles unless you're shooting copper bullets etc. I've never tried any bullets heavier than 69gr and all my AR's-including my Colt-have 1/9 bbls.

I built most of mine as well, and saved money at the time, but like you said it's cheaper to buy already assembled now unless you're after something really special.

 

[flash-bang]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

@mtrman: did "bolt carrier cycle test" came out absolutely perfect. The shiny spot on the top of the port is "flash bright light shine" as it does not show up in "real life". There is no rub what so ever. I even took a 6" flexible rule and the amount of gas rod protruding into the upper receiver is the came as my stock Colt. I am having fun and am learning a lot. Like I said I have ordered a lower from LaRue and will have to assemble it. I've ordered the parts (most as I'm sure I've forgotten a pin here or there.) to get it together. There is a pride that comes with maintaining your own weapons, as I'm sure is common knowledge here. And spending the money to do the right the first time with the right tools. But now I have all the tools to fix/modify all I want. As a Noob, I'm all excited!

I bought the Windhams with the intention of punching paper/self defense/learning to modify. They are great money for the guns. I bought them early on when still realitivity unknown. With shipping and FFL about $720 for 16" HB model. Seemed too good to be true. Like I said, my marksman friend shoots 68 (or may be 69gr) grains, lights out. I will research the .223.

And yea, I'm not anybody important anymore. I just need them reliable for the "slim" chance of self defense. And as a Vet during Iraq, I appreciate these riflers as a WWII Vet would an M1 rifle. Paper and steel are my targets of choice now. My Winny 1300 Defender Speed Pump and Remington 870 do a marvelous job at HD.

Now that saving money is out the window and I have the tools, I am comptemplating buying a Noveske barrel and bolt. Its a hobby, like restoring cars. Its not about the money. Unless you don't have it.

THANKS ALL! Still open to more advice...

 

[flash-bang]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

The have read that Windham uses Wylde chambering. I'll research more...
And one last thing. When I use bolt release button on empty chamber, it "rings" like a bell, almost. My Colts are just a dull thud. Different steels? (I don't do this often)

Like I said I have a friend that turned me on to these. He just changed the trigger and shoots well within my acceptability. May/want to learn to shoot clovers, each rifle different range. Fun, fun, fun. I like one way ranges! -Matt

 

[mtrmn]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

I learned on Blackthorne kit guns. These are by far the absolute worst quality controlled people in the business. Any thread asking about them gets instant "RUN AWAY" answers. Consequently, I learned many lessons about the AR the hard way whether I wanted to or not. Out of spec uppers and other parts, loose barrels on pre-assembled uppers, little/no staking on bolt carriers, bent charging handles and mag catches, on and on and on. Things I never would have learned about troubleshooting ARs on better quality stuff. All in all it was worth it for the knowledge, but it sure was a PITA.

My AR15s don't have that ring you're describing, but my AR10 does--like a midaevil knight drawing a sword of the finest steel. I saw a video of the Barret 50 cal where Ronnie tore one down in the field. It had the same cool ringing sound when he installed the bolt.

ETA: good job on the gas tube install!

 

[K_4c]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

The ring your hearing is your flash hider....

 

[flash-bang]

Re: Will it fire or blow up?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: K_4c</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The ring your hearing is your flash hider.... </div></div>

HA! I though you were pulling my leg but when my hand around it, it is a totally different sound like I'm used to hearing. That was cool. I was thinking metal differences between the Windham and Colt. I would have never got that. Thanks! -Matt

@mtrmn: Thanks again! The tips such as dimples on gas port set screws will go a long way towards making me comfortable. I'll fire off a full mag or two and red loctite and dimple where needed. Yea the Windam was easy, it was never shot. See above about "ringing"

I appreciate everyone's help, I feel confident; if something great or bad happens I'll let you know.