AR-15 Noob trying to put on new forend.
- Thread starter CanadianBaconPancakes
- Start date
While I agree, There is no problem cutting the A2 gas block.
Where you might run into issues, is if your gas block is pinned.
It is nicer to be able to put it back if you decide to change/upgrade/sell/etc. later.
Remember they are taper pins.
Youtube has a few videos that show how to cut your A2 front sight. In my opinion this is the better option over an aftermarket low profile gas block. The stock sight/gas block is pinned and if you take your time will work perfect and will never move on you. The aftermarket gas blocks use set screws that tend to loosen and move over time and heat cycles. The extra benefit is that it doesn't cost you much to do if you're slightly handy. You will need to buy an AR barrel nut wrench either way.
Travis Bickle
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Upper Lower Middle Alberta
it is pinned, This sounds like allot of tinkering
There is two ways punching pins out are going to go.
1. You set up the block so it's supported properly and squared up all around. Then you get a heavy punch larger than the diam of the taper end of the pin and hit it ####ing hard with a heavy mallet to get it to smack back and end up flush with the gas block. Finish it off/push it through with a smaller punch.
Manage this twice and your block will come off.
2. Do all of step one and the pins don't move lol Then you heat it up with a torch, hit it with kroil etc etc smash them as hard as you can and they still don't come out.
Then you face the decision of $250 gunsmith bill with shipping and 5 months wait time or hacking the A2 off yourself.
Setup is everything with this if you set everything up properly and follow step one, they will come out. Some of them just don't though. I have removed two and failed on one. The norinco gas block pins are on there until the end of time it appears...this one had to be sent to Tier 1 so they could hack it off and rebore/repin my new one to my barrel.
I just went and did my 2nd A2 front sight. These were both on M&P 15's. The pins are tight and required some pretty good blows to get them to move but I had the whole job done in about 1.5 hours. That's removing, cutting, grinding and then re-blueing the gas block. Looks awesome and will work exactly as it did before.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147391782@N05/38623609902/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147391782@N05/38623609902/in/dateposted-public/
Last edited:
84wh1
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Another option is to cut the sight tower with a dremil leaving only a low pro gas block. Then remove the current 2 piece handguard and delta ring. LEAVE the barrel nut where it is, sell the ATI kit u bought and get a Troy industries handguard as they attach using a standard mil spec nut. This was u don't need to punch pins from the sight tower or apply a new barrel nut. Takes less tools and far less time. Food for though
Mumbles Marble Mouth
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Lower Mainland
You should of got a longer handguard. They look BA when the handguard goes almost all the way to the end of the barrel.
I just went and did my 2nd A2 front sight. These were both on M&P 15's. The pins are tight and required some pretty good blows to get them to move but I had the whole job done in about 1.5 hours. That's removing, cutting, grinding and then re-blueing the gas block. Looks awesome and will work exactly as it did before.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/147391782@N05/38623609902/in/dateposted-public/
With the M&Ps the pins are reverse of the norm, IE which way to drift out. You can determine this quite easily by inspecting them. One side of the pin is obviously bigger than the other.Once I had them started, they came out really easily. I had mine done, and the new low profile block installed in 30 minutes.
