Installing Yankee Hill Free Float Rail - Step 1 Barrel Installation

[Jrhoney]

That barrel sure is different. I suppose the mill cuts make it more rigid right?

[foREVerA7X2012]

I'm sure someone has already asked this but where did you get the blacked out gas tube?

[fjcaron]

@foREVerA7X2012 From Yankee Hill.

[Mo7Vsta]

do they make blackened tubes in different lengths?

[fjcaron]

@Mo7Vsta Yes, they sure do.

[jmc7586]

@Mo7Vsta Their website only lists rifle and carbine length gas tubes - no mid lengths - just so you know.

[wheelsndealz]

anyone know if its better for a long range ar to have a flash suppressor on it or not? gonna get the yankee hill 20 inch fluted barrel but not sure if i should get it with the threaded end for suppressors and flash suppressors.

[fjcaron]

@wheelsndealz If your doing long range shooting, I'd just go with a barrel that's crowned on the end and no FH. I had built a varmitting type rig with a 24" barrel and it was just crowned that's it, functioned just fine, just a matter of personal preference or what your really looking to get out of the weapon.

[gunnyranger2]

I'm not knocking ya Buddy, but WHY would ya put anything shinny on an assault weapon?My weapons are ALL blacked-out.We never know when we're going to have to put them into action.Thanks for the vid!

[fjcaron]

@gunnyranger2 Oh trust me, if it was put into action, nothing a can of spray paint can't handle, but all my others are black or grey anodized.

[islandtime100]

No tourque wrecnch was used. I would not use this video; see Brownells.

[fjcaron]

@islandtime100 There was actually, in my rush to get it edited and uploaded I neglected to include that clip.

[19812000JR]

Great video... just wondering why you went with a black gas tube, if you have a silver upper receiver..? oh well... great video, thanks.

[fjcaron]

@19812000JR Just a contrast thing, keeping only the receiver in the nickel finish.

[19812000JR]

Great video... just wondering why you went with a black gas tube, if you have a silver upper receiver..? oh well... great video, thanks.

[ThatDudeSirraj]

I'm curious as to which point you would check head space when installing the barrel?

[EverythingisFire]

Would adding a A2 front sight defeat the purpose of the free float? I really dig them and kind of considering one of those in front of a Troy TRX Extreme rail. Also not sure if the sight wouldn't work with that particular rail without some kind of recess.

[fjcaron]

@EverythingisFire No, not at all, your right this particular rail won't work. But if you use the right rail, you'll be in business.

[EverythingisFire]

@fjcaron

Don't think it will work on the Troy rail I'm going for either, then. Ah well, will look decent with some fixed sights on top.

[fjcaron]

@EverythingisFire Check Daniel Defense's offerings, they have rails which fit around the front sight base.

[JobanFace]

i was a little skeptical of your style with the silver ar.. until i saw that big stack of mausers in the background!! aha awesome man.

[fjcaron]

@JobanFace Thanks brother, I like Mauser K98's, I have 38 of them. The AR's I like because I like building things, so I come up with various builds from time to time. That AR in this video I build is one of my BEST in terms of accuracy, a real tack driver once I get the red dot a bit more dialed in, but the groupings thus far were great, 30 shots in the size of a quarter diameter roughly. Though I'm on a Vietnam era kick now with the AR's, so more to come.

[zzanzak]

Thank you for your video

[VexxJam]

thanks a lot. very helpful 

[ghost280z]

thank u very much for posting this video, i wanted a free float and u showed me how to do it.... thx again....

[fjcaron]

@ghost280z Hey your welcome, that is what it's all about, I enjoy showing others the right way and just sharing in general, thanks again.

[ammosmith]

Just ordered all my parts for a kick ass rebuild!

[fjcaron]

@ammosmith So what did you end up ordering something like I have going on? I guess I can be blamed for making the bank account a little less, eh?

[ammosmith]

@fjcaron I ordered a bunch of MagPul parts and a YHM uppe and a specter length diamond handguard. I also got a barrel and a bunch of other stuff. Around $900 in parts.

[fjcaron]

@ammosmith Cool beans, so the barrel, is it a carbine length similar to what I did with the Specter length rail? Sounds like it, are you going to do a video on the subject? You know I've yet to fire mine, now that the indoor range allows rifles again, I can take it in there to get the red dot set up to start at 25yds and then go to the outdoor to work it up to 100yds. Should be a real tack driver with that YHM barrel, I also want to order a 14.5" and pin the FH to make it the legal 16".

[ammosmith]

@fjcaron I ordered a Daniel Defense 16" 1/7 twist barrel. It will be similar to your build but made to suit my needs. The only thing I need to get is the Timney 3# trigger for it.

[fjcaron]

@ammosmith Yea don't think YHM does any 1/7 twists on the barrels, can't go wrong with DD, they are top of the line too, and I'm sure in since your shooting your own loads it will be just one hell of a solid performer.

[ammosmith]

@fjcaron The YHM parts and the barrel are on back order. Hope they get in soon...love to build AR's

[007TheReaper007]

☆☆☆☆☆

[rlk8]

No proper torque on the barrell?

[fjcaron]

@rlk8 I have read varying degrees of torque specs in varied manuals that I own (Colt Army & USMC Manuals), I've read 20-80lbs, I've been going 40-65lbs depending on the rifle type. I thought I put a section on this part on the barrel installation, I guess it was deleted to save space, I seem to recall 45+lb on the barrel nut, I'll have to see if I can find the raw video and then post the text so others can see what torque spec I used Yankee Hill should have it listed too on their web site.

[TulaMosin1891]

very cool. I'm really digging the diamond fluting..looks pretty neat. I didn't know you were in the area already! I would have had to consider calling out "sick" to go to the ordnance museum with you! lol

[aaadream]

Is that a fairly heavy quad? Is there enough room for a piston conversion? I am considering options. Thanks!

[fjcaron]

@aaadream It's about average in terms of weight, though it's wide, and I think that would benefit you in your desire to do with a piston system. But I would consult Yankee Hill to see what they have to say, as I'm not running any piston systems. Though given the fact the pistol systems can fit under the standard M4 hand guards I see no reason why this wouldn't work, again I'd double check.

[StMichaelsCrew]

All your AR Vid.'s are going to be very helpful to me Frank. Thanks for taking the time to teach everyone on how to get it done right. Also thanks for sharing the supply shops where you purchase the parts. Again very helpful.

[glocklife]

Great instructional vid!!

[SauerTongues4]

@Frank great video brother !!!!!! You are awesome at making vids like this !!!! Keep up the great work !!!!!! That is one beautiful barrel !!!!!!!

[TheJamesinTexas]

Black Rain has some of the sexiest and best looking uppers/lowers on the market. What did you pay for your upper and lower?

[fjcaron]

@TheJamesinTexas I purchased them from Firearms4Less off Gunbroker, he has several different varieties of the uppers from plain old black, to the finish I have, to the digital and skull finishes. Yes your right fit and finish is dead on and a nice tight fit, I got the pair for $499, call Brennan the owner he can set you up if you need any he's a good guy I enjoy chatting with him from when i've ordered items from him.

[gblpst81]

Is that diamond fluting on the barrel?! That's beautiful. That's gonna be a very unique looking rifle with that upper receiver. But I think it's gonna look great. Can't wait to see the final. Take care.

[fjcaron]

@gblpst81 Yes, it's the diamond fluting, I won't be finishing up or adding more parts until I return next week from vacation, the next part will be the gas block and gas tube installation. Followed by the rail installation, and then front and rear BUIS and then the last will be the flash hider. Two others will be the bolt carrier group, also to assemble your own from parts and upgrading the charging handle with a Badger Tactical latch.

[gblpst81]

@fjcaron You're putting out some great videos for folks who haven't had the opportunity to see the assembly of an AR. You make me wish I had the money to build another one for myself. The one I have I built a few parts at a time and it's such an enjoyable process. Really looking forward to seeing how this one turns out. It sounds like you're gonna throw a lot of nice parts on there. Have a good vacation and we'll see you soon.

[fjcaron]

@gblpst81 Thanks I really appreciate the kind comments from everyone, all I want to do is share with folks and hopefully teach a bit from what I know. Your right building AR's is such and enjoyable experience, they are like Legos for men. I went to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds today, will post a video later on this evening, at the bar having a drink now in the hotel, lol. Though the small arms museum was closed, but I have all the armor and field guns on digital and video.