Even if you have the proper tools like a mill or a good drill press, you would have a hard time installing a new front sight base with bayonet lug on your existing barrel.
The front sight bases are generally installed on barrels womb to tomb, the two taper pin mounting holes are not exactly the same with each barrel, if you're only a couple of thousands of an inch off you can't install the second pin.
Expert AR gunsmiths could do it using a front sight base without mounting holes, but they also have a very hard time and long time getting it right, and by the time you paid for their labor it is cheaper to just buy a new barrel with the front sight base and bayonet lug and just swap your barrels.
Most AR owners just replaces their barrel assembly with either an A4 or A2 government profile barrel which is lighter and easier to carry than a HBAR heavy barrel, and they either sell their old barrel to help pay for their new barrel or just keep the old barrel for spares.
Gunsmiths in my local area usually charge around $50 or less for changing barrels (also includes installing any new rail system), or you could buy your own upper receiver action block and barrel wrench, you would also need a shop table vise to hold your upper receiver and action block.
The front sight bases are generally installed on barrels womb to tomb, the two taper pin mounting holes are not exactly the same with each barrel, if you're only a couple of thousands of an inch off you can't install the second pin.
Expert AR gunsmiths could do it using a front sight base without mounting holes, but they also have a very hard time and long time getting it right, and by the time you paid for their labor it is cheaper to just buy a new barrel with the front sight base and bayonet lug and just swap your barrels.
Most AR owners just replaces their barrel assembly with either an A4 or A2 government profile barrel which is lighter and easier to carry than a HBAR heavy barrel, and they either sell their old barrel to help pay for their new barrel or just keep the old barrel for spares.
Gunsmiths in my local area usually charge around $50 or less for changing barrels (also includes installing any new rail system), or you could buy your own upper receiver action block and barrel wrench, you would also need a shop table vise to hold your upper receiver and action block.
