Who to install A1 FSB on barrel?

June 15, 2025, 04:12 PM

I have a project that I'm working on. It's kind of a RetroMod/WWSD AR15. I want it to have an old school vibe, but be modern at the same time. I want a kind of Model 601 vibe.

So I have a OD green anodized A1 upper, an Aero Betsy Ross lower, and MagPul fixed stock, and pistol grip in OD green.

I'm looking for a OD green anodized handguard that will fit rifle length gas system, and just come to the fixed FSB.

I haven't gotten the barrel yet, but I want a Faxon Gunner barrel that 18" and have a A1 FSB installed. This barrel has a rifle length gas system. It's going to wear a JP Enterprises 3 prong Flashhider, to kind of give it a Model 601 vibe along with the OD green furniture.

So, who do you recommend to install the A1 FSB on the barrel? I'm looking for someone that's skilled and have a good price.

Also, what handguard! Want M-Lok but KMod is OK. I want OD anodized that comes right up to the FSB. Any recommendations?

This is a fun project/build, but I want it to be able to be used for serious use.

Thanks for any help.

ARman

June 16, 2025, 08:59 AM

ibanda

The two names I see over and over again with positive feedback for AR work are D. Wilson in Colorado and ADCO in Ohio. I'm sure there are many more.

For a long time I didn't pay attention to carry handle ARs but I might be getting the bug. For my 5th birthday in the 1970s I got a plastic Mattel M16 which I thought was so cool. I might have to have a real one (well semi-auto anyways). I have been thinking retro modern also and maybe an Otter Creek OCM5 suppressor leaning towards a Gordy clone.

June 17, 2025, 03:30 PM

ARman

quote:
Originally posted by ibanda:
The two names I see over and over again with positive feedback for AR work are D. Wilson in Colorado and ADCO in Ohio. I'm sure there are many more.

Unfortunately ADCO doesn't work on PQP ( Melonite® ) finished barrels, which
is what the Faxon Gunner barrel has.

That's the problem I have been running into. Most don't. But that's silly since most barrels now are Melonited now.

I looked and D Wilson doesn't say one way or the other, so I'll contact them.

I'm looking for a OD anodized handguard that will fit rifle length gas system.

I have had this idea for this project for a few years. I have picked up a piece here and there, and have most everything but the handguard and barrel ( with the work done).

The whole idea is/was a KISS rifle, that was old school with a modern twist, kinda a Model 601 vibe.

ARman

June 18, 2025, 05:43 AM

Mars_Attacks

A1 upper or the KISS slickside upper?

Installing a FSB on a blank barrel is not a simple job as it must be properly aligned, clamped and drilled, then reamed. It requires a jig to hold the barrel properly to the drill press. Better yet, a lathe under a drill press.

June 18, 2025, 11:42 AM

ARman

quote:
Originally posted by Mars_Attacks:
A1 upper or the KISS slickside upper?

Installing a FSB on a blank barrel is not a simple job as it must be properly aligned, clamped and drilled, then reamed. It requires a jig to hold the barrel properly to the drill press. Better yet, a lathe under a drill press.

It's an A1/C7 type upper.
Yeah, I can buy jig for about $550.00, I have access to a nice drill press, but I would hate to spend that much, even though I plan on an FSB install in the future.

I'm going with a A1 FSB because it's 1 MOA click instead of the A2 FSB @ 1.25 MOA. This is going to be an iron sights only build.

ARman

June 19, 2025, 11:02 AM

IndianaBoy

John Thomas at Retro-Arms Works did mine. He installed a previously used original Colt 603 FSB from a parts kit on a new barrel. Everything looks original and I was one click from mechanical center on the rear sight when I was done zeroing it.

He is also very prompt on his work. He does not keep a 6 month backlog.

https://retroarmsworks.com/

June 20, 2025, 11:36 PM

ARman

quote:
Originally posted by IndianaBoy:
John Thomas at Retro-Arms Works did mine. He installed a previously used original Colt 603 FSB from a parts kit on a new barrel. Everything looks original and I was one click from mechanical center on the rear sight when I was done zeroing it.

He is also very prompt on his work. He does not keep a 6 month backlog.

https://retroarmsworks.com/

Do they do work on PQP ( Melonite) barrels? I looked at their website and didn't say anything. The big problem I have been having is most don't.

The 18" barrel Faxon Gunner barrel is PQP ( Melonite).

ARman

June 22, 2025, 09:00 AM

powermad

quote:
Originally posted by ARman:
Do they do work on PQP ( Melonite) barrels? I looked at their website and didn't say anything. The big problem I have been having is most don't.

The 18" barrel Faxon Gunner barrel is PQP ( Melonite).

ARman

Not sure what the big deal is working with a QPQ treated barrel.
I dimpled my Faxon barrel for the gas block set screws easy enough with a carbide bit.

June 22, 2025, 04:38 PM

ibanda

quote:
Originally posted by powermad:
quote:
Originally posted by ARman:
Do they do work on PQP ( Melonite) barrels? I looked at their website and didn't say anything. The big problem I have been having is most don't.

The 18" barrel Faxon Gunner barrel is PQP ( Melonite).

ARman

Not sure what the big deal is working with a QPQ treated barrel.
I dimpled my Faxon barrel for the gas block set screws easy enough with a carbide bit.

Well some things are starting to make sense to me now. I had a hell of a time dimpling a Hanson .300 Blackout barrel a couple of weeks ago with two different cobalt bits. Just looked it up and it has a Melonite QPQ finish. I will try a carbide bit next time.

June 22, 2025, 05:36 PM

powermad

I did two dimples with the same bit.
The first almost went to deep as it went easier than I had been expecting.

June 23, 2025, 09:15 AM

ARman

quote:
Originally posted by powermad:
quote:
Originally posted by ARman:
Do they do work on PQP ( Melonite) barrels? I looked at their website and didn't say anything. The big problem I have been having is most don't.

The 18" barrel Faxon Gunner barrel is PQP ( Melonite).

ARman

Not sure what the big deal is working with a QPQ treated barrel.
I dimpled my Faxon barrel for the gas block set screws easy enough with a carbide bit.

You figure that a machingshop/gunsmithing service would be set up for it! But most won't touch a Melonite barrel.

ARman

June 23, 2025, 10:33 AM

powermad

I would have to say that they never tried.

Drill bits and such are a consumable item at my shop, we buy them in bulk and they are kept in stock by the vendor we use for nuts and bolts.

June 23, 2025, 02:57 PM

powermad

Depending on how handy you are and how set up you are for tools you could try doing it yourself.

There's a hole in the bottom of the FSB for drilling the gas port.
Drill out the hole with a #21 bit and tap it with a 10-32.
Dimple the barrel and use a 10-32 set screw to locate and hold the FSB in place.
On the front hole drill out the base hole, finish with the taper reamer and set the taper pin.
Remove the set screw and repeat for the rear.
Assuming everything is checked before drilling.

Or for around $750 you can get a FSB jig, bits and reamer from BRD Engineering.

June 23, 2025, 05:45 PM

limblessbiff

quote:
Originally posted by ARman:
I have a project that I'm working on. It's kind of a RetroMod/WWSD AR15. I want it to have an old school vibe, but be modern at the same time. I want a kind of Model 601 vibe.

So I have a OD green anodized A1 upper, an Aero Betsy Ross lower, and MagPul fixed stock, and pistol grip in OD green.

I'm looking for a OD green anodized handguard that will fit rifle length gas system, and just come to the fixed FSB.

I haven't gotten the barrel yet, but I want a Faxon Gunner barrel that 18" and have a A1 FSB installed. This barrel has a rifle length gas system. It's going to wear a JP Enterprises 3 prong Flashhider, to kind of give it a Model 601 vibe along with the OD green furniture.

So, who do you recommend to install the A1 FSB on the barrel? I'm looking for someone that's skilled and have a good price.

Also, what handguard! Want M-Lok but KMod is OK. I want OD anodized that comes right up to the FSB. Any recommendations?

This is a fun project/build, but I want it to be able to be used for serious use.

Thanks for any help.

ARman

I’d skip the faxon gunner barrel. I had one on my AR and it shot like shit. As soon as it heats up a little the groups open way up, and they never were impressive in the 1st place. I replaced it with with a Criterion barrel and I’m not looking back. They do a profile similar to the faxon which I have and I’m telling ya it’s a way better barrel, chrome lined too

June 23, 2025, 09:08 PM

ARman

quote:
Originally posted by limblessbiff:
quote:
Originally posted by ARman:
I have a project that I'm working on. It's kind of a RetroMod/WWSD AR15. I want it to have an old school vibe, but be modern at the same time. I want a kind of Model 601 vibe.

So I have a OD green anodized A1 upper, an Aero Betsy Ross lower, and MagPul fixed stock, and pistol grip in OD green.

I'm looking for a OD green anodized handguard that will fit rifle length gas system, and just come to the fixed FSB.

I haven't gotten the barrel yet, but I want a Faxon Gunner barrel that 18" and have a A1 FSB installed. This barrel has a rifle length gas system. It's going to wear a JP Enterprises 3 prong Flashhider, to kind of give it a Model 601 vibe along with the OD green furniture.

So, who do you recommend to install the A1 FSB on the barrel? I'm looking for someone that's skilled and have a good price.

Also, what handguard! Want M-Lok but KMod is OK. I want OD anodized that comes right up to the FSB. Any recommendations?

This is a fun project/build, but I want it to be able to be used for serious use.

Thanks for any help.

ARman

I’d skip the faxon gunner barrel. I had one on my AR and it shot like shit. As soon as it heats up a little the groups open way up, and they never were impressive in the 1st place. I replaced it with with a Criterion barrel and I’m not looking back. They do a profile similar to the faxon which I have and I’m telling ya it’s a way better barrel, chrome lined too

I have a couple of Faxon Gunner barrels already and mine shoot well. I have a Faxon Pencil barrel 16" and a FN Pencil 16" and the Faxon blows the FN out of the water in accuracy, not even close. Plus the Faxon was half the cost.

I also have a couple of Faxon Gunner and Pencil barrels in .300 AAC Blackout. They shoot well also.

One of the reasons I picked the Faxon Gunner 18" rifle length gas system was, it's pencil profile in front of the handguard, which will give me "the look", it's rifle length gas system will shoot softer, and with the 18" barrel, by time I add the JP Enterprises 3 prong Flashhider will give it the overall length of a 20" barrel with the original 3 prong Flashhider. Giving my "the 601 vibe" I'm going for.

I'll give Criteriona look.

ARman

June 23, 2025, 09:13 PM

ARman

quote:
Originally posted by powermad:
Depending on how handy you are and how set up you are for tools you could try doing it yourself.

There's a hole in the bottom of the FSB for drilling the gas port.
Drill out the hole with a #21 bit and tap it with a 10-32.
Dimple the barrel and use a 10-32 set screw to locate and hold the FSB in place.
On the front hole drill out the base hole, finish with the taper reamer and set the taper pin.
Remove the set screw and repeat for the rear.
Assuming everything is checked before drilling.

Or for around $750 you can get a FSB jig, bits and reamer from BRD Engineering.

I have looked at them before, that's a lot of money for a total of 3 projects, but it might be my best, only true option. As the two gunsmiths I have found that will work on Melonite barrels their services are $200.00+ bucks, not counting shipping costs. So the jig would pay for itself by then.

ARman