AR gas block

[quinnjoblow]

I have a 14.5 barrel that I got from SFRC. Really nice and great price. It doesnt have a notch cut at the front of the barrel to pin a standard gas block/front sight. On my two other builds the barrels came with the gas blocks already installed and pinned.
My question is, are the clamp on gas blocks as reliable as the pinned ones? Do you just bolt the on and loc-tite screws in place? If I was to go standard gas block would have to get a drill jig to do both gas block and barrel notch at same time? The ones ive seen online dont come pre drilled for the pin.
I thought I might end up getting a low profile block so I could use a longer one piece handguard.

 

[quinnjoblow]

anyone...

 

[Hilo71]

get a BRDE pinning jig from brownells.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/cid=...EERIN/Products/BLACK_RIFLE_DISEASE_ENGINEERIN

 

[heckler]

Clamp-on ones are OK if done correctly(proper alignment,proper torque,and a med.strenth thread locker) Set screw type are better IMO. Again proper methods and torque are important. I have used the drilling jig a few times and depending on barrel material can be a PITA. would not personally recomend but to each their own.

 

[Hilo71]

Clamp-on ones are OK if done correctly(proper alignment,proper torque,and a med.strenth thread locker) Set screw type are better IMO. Again proper methods and torque are important. I have used the drilling jig a few times and depending on barrel material can be a PITA. would not personally recomend but to each their own.

True, a drill press, reamer and other tools are needed to get the jig job done with minimal headaches.

 

[quinnjoblow]

I guess this build is going to be a learning curve.

 

[StylinMike]

If you want easy, use the set screw type but dimple your holes with a drill. Line it up, insert one of the two set screws and tighten it. Dimple the other hole with a drill bit. Insert set screw in that hole and remove the first one. Repeat. Add loctite.

I would say this isnt "as good" as pinning it, but for 99.9% of us on this board, our rifles will never see enough action for it to come loose.

 

[TSE_Justin]

Red Loctite melts at ~230C. Don't rely on it alone to keep your set screws in place (i.e. torque them properly as per mfg. specs).

 

[StylinMike]

Agreed, Make sure to use high temp loctite

 

[badboybeeson]

4800 rds in my on sj hardware bbl with set screw low profile gas block no issues yet

 

[TSE_Justin]

None of my set screw gas blocks have ever come loose either.

 

[quinnjoblow]

4800 rds in my on sj ohardware bbl with set screw low profile gas block no issues yet

That's great news. Like I said I love the barrel and have no qwams with it. Best deal in town I think. Do you remember what brand low profile you used?