Installing Armalite Gas Block - argh!

skeetgunner

skeetgunner

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I'm one small step away from completing my new AR, but being the network geek that I am (actually, more like "Thundar the Librarian"), I'm stumped. :oops:

I spent the better part of last night trying to install the small roll pin that secures the gas tube in an Armalite stainless-steel front gas block. This is the block that has the picatinny rail machined into the top edge. The roll pin hole is in the bottom groove of the picatinny rail. None of the tips and tricks on AR15.com seem to work (or work for me).

I tried the vise-grip trick, tried starting the pin with grease and pliers etc. But after a fun filled evening (NOT!) of smashing my fingers with drifts and hammers and losing the ^%$#-pin once or twice I've had to take a quick time out.

Has anyone else installed this particular FSB? What did you do to make it work? There's just gotta be an easierway.....
 
If you can get it started it should go in easy enough. If you are having trouble getting it started, chuck it in a drill and spin the end on an angle on a file to give it a slight taper.
 
Thanks Hitzy I may give that a try. Its also been sugguested that I use a "roll pin starter."

Does anyone know where to find such a beast in Canada?
 
Without having a clear understanding of what exact problem you're having, are you aware that there are two types of pins available? Tapered pins and straight pins. Which are you trying to fit and which type is your sight base and barrel made to accept?

Looking down the muzzle, tapered pins are inserted from the left side. Sight base pins are made to fit tight, I'm not surprised you're having some difficulty.

Regards.
 
Easy,

The pin I'm talking about is a 1/16" spring steel roll pin, and not the solid tapered/straight pins you are describing. Its the pin that holds the gas tube in the base.

The FSB I'm using has hex screws to clamp to the barrel.
 
Ah crap!

In that case maybe you can see to buy some coiled spring pins. I use these as a replacement to conventional pins. Armalite sells these with their kits.

EDIT: The best part about these is that they are reusable compared to the usual ones that should be replaced with new ones once they are removed.
 
- always with new pins -

I have a pin starter - Brownells sells a kit with all the ones "needed" on an AR. The advantages are enough to ensure you dont waste needless pins - nor mar the receivers or other parts you whacking on...
 
Gang, thanks for all the tips. I was able to start the pin with a pin-vise (it was staring at me on the bench the whole time.....lauging), and then drive it home. Pics soon, after I mount some studs and do some function testing/tuning.

Just ordered a set of roll pin punches and starters for the "next build."
 
Skeetgunner: I had the same problem. I ended up destroying a couple of (correct spec) pins in (escalatiing) frustration. :x

Then after having a bowl of chicken soup, I sat back and designed a roll pin "starter" by using a (wouldn't you know it... :roll: ) a bent paper clip. Smaller paper clips are sized perfectly and with the single end pointing up and extending about 1/4" through the gas tube's little hole. My barrel and front sight base were resting to a contoured wooden block. The bent paper clip with the single wire end poked through the gas tube's hole and the roll pin sat gently positioned in line with the corresponding target hole. :wink:

A few gentle taps was all it took. :? Who's the dummy now ? :lol:

The solution was so simiple. It was staring at me all the time. That's it. I'm gonna be just like Rooster33 and market this invention to the Brownell's people. :shock:

I went to University for 5 years to figure this one out ! :mrgreen:

So, if anyone can locate a cheap source for these roll pins, I would gladly appreciate knowing where to find them and not have to pay $ 1.00 USD plus taxes, plus duty plus Export / Import paperwork through the US Homeland Secuirity and Export laws. Anybody find them at say..... Home Depot ? or Princess Auto ? :roll:

Cheers,
Barney
 
Just go to any good auto parts store, hardware or machine supply store and get some , 1/16" spring steel roll pin and cut them to length.

And if your having trouble starting pins and such, I have some various sized C-lamps that I have drilled sized holes for the pins in one side of the face and then you can just press the pins in nice and straight.
 
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