I have searched and have not found this so I thought I would ask.
Does anyone make a low profile gas block designed like a “shaved” FSB?
Or in other words, is there a “drop in” pinned option available that doesn’t need modification to the block or the barrel?
I don’t think it would be possible. The location of the pins on a FSB is different on every rifle. (i.e. you cannot take the FSB off of one rifle and put it on another) Now I’m sure someone somewhere found two that were close enough, and got it to work, but as a general rule, they are not interchangeable.
OK. I didn’t realize that but I had considered it in the realm of possibilities.
I could not otherwise understand why no one would make something like this.
Now I’m wondering how different the specs are between manufactures.
Would this work for you?
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=1398
http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=588
pins available here
Thanks for the links. Can you not use the taper pins from the FSB?
I’m assuming the next more secure method would be set screws and dimple the barrel(?).
Yeah you can reuse pins just in case one runs away from ya its good to know where to get spares.
taper pins are drilled into the barrel with the fsb in place. they are unique to each barrel, your best bet would be a clamp on gas block if you dont want to modify your barrel
How are taper pins drilled in? I have only seen fixtures used to drill or milling machines. In either case the fsb/gb is not in place.
Sure there are many ways to do this so dont take it as a pissing contest just wondering how else it can be done.
I can’t believe they have not standardized this in a platform that’s know for its interchangeability.
From what I’ve read there are some concerns about clamping the block but I have not found any posts claiming actual failures.
By the time you’ve re-drilled and re-reamed for a new gas block, you’ve got as much time and labor invested as simply shaving your existing front sight.
But I agree that pinned gas blocks are the correct way to go. Clamps and set screws are strictly bush league.
I have moved a Bushmaster shaved FSB/Gas Block from one Bushy barrel to another with no ill effects.
I realize that it doesn’t work with a sight as it will be off, but for a gas block, it worked for me that time.
Bill
It’s all about getting the tightest fit between the FSB and the barrel, to prevent gas leaks and misalignment. THAT is why each one is done individually.
The FSB has tolerances, the barrel has tolerances, but by being drilled/reamed together, those tolerances don’t matter (as much) and the FSB is held PRECISELY over the gas hole.
I would like to know about failures as well.
I did find this is an old post here:
http://www.militarymorons.com/weapon...s2.html#torque
Being that I intend this to go UNDER a free float hand guard I’m thinking a clamp on will do the trick. Also, I would prefer to not cut/drill the barrel of my new Colt.
Thanks ! 
If you intend to have the GB under a handguard I would not hesitate to use a set screw type GB.
Unless I dimple the barrel I would think the clamp would be more secure (see link above).
Also if I want to put the rifle back together stock, I can with no barrel modification.
Link not working for me.
By dimpling do you mean dimple for the set screw or dimpling the barrel to cut weight?
Dimple for the set screws.
Gotcha, just checking. Sort of sounded like he was thinking of dimpling the barrel to include the gas block area.