cutting front sight tower

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

has anyone cut the front sight tower down to use just as gas block while on rifle??

2

I have a few times. Makes for the most reliable gas block.

3

Yes, it’s easy! Cut with a hacksaw then grind with a dremel or 4" grinder w/ a flapper wheel to shape it

4

thanls,would anyone have pics of the project as this is what i think i want to do instead of changing to a aftermarket gas block,sure appreciate the help.

5

Here’s a few I’ve done.


6

I’m sure this has been covered here, but are there any issue doing the work while the sight is secure on the bbl or is it better to remove??

7

I’ve done it that ways in just a lot harder and you have to refinish the entire barrel.

8

i plan on leaving mine in place as i am gonna take time and hope it comes out nice,is there a spray finish to use to cover up cutting and finishing marks?

9

Is this because the barrel usually has a perm. attached FH/MB?

I would like a longer rail, but because of having a FH pinned on, i’ve been hesitant of the additional costs.

The downside for me is the only really true freefloat would be the Omega 9 or 12, and i’m sure the FSB would REALLY have to be ground down to fit between those rails.

10

gotm4 - are you still cutting fsb’s down and can you refinish them and the barrel with gun-kote? thanks.

11

It’s a real PITA to get a FSB small enough to fit under an Omega rail with a gas block seat of .750" Damn near impossible. I’d rather go with a Troy rail if using shaved FSB on a barrel with a perm. muzzle device.

I’m doing FSBs but I can’t spray barrels at this time, just shaved FSBs and small parts.

12

I did one for a DD lite rail, it was a pain to get it to fit, it just took some time, I would not recommend leaving it on the barrel to do the grind down

13

I cut and ground down the front sight on my Colt. If you’re going to do it, remember the front sight is forged, which means don’t even think about a hack saw. Go straight for the die grinder. Not a Dremel, an industrial strength, pneumatic die grinder. That son’va bitch is tough!

14

Here’s what’s used when I do them.

Plasma cutter, bench grinder, die grinder, sand blaster then refinished in Norrells moly resin (dark gray).

15

I went low tech and used an angle grinder

16

Wrong! It is cast…

17

Actually you’re wrong, colt FSBs are forged, as are most other manufacturers.

18

Any problems getting them to fit under the DD Lite rails?

19

It’s easy well for me to make them fit under Lite Rails, LaRue rails or Troy Extreme rails.