Who makes a low profile gas block that is pinned on rather than bolted that will fit under a LaRue handguard? I would like to go the way of the 9" handguard on my next carbine upper but I am a bit hesitant about using bolted on low-pro gas blocks.
Thanks for the info.
Ernie
Companies like Adco will pin any gas block.
Last time they did one for me it costs $25 w/ $5 shipping and was back in under a week.
As I understand it, and despite my previous misconception otherwise, a stock FSB can be shaved down to fit under a Larue handguard. I haven’t done it, but I have heard here and elsewhere that it is possible.
What I do know is possible is a shaved FSB undera Daniel Defense, and this is the setup I use.
I prefer a shaved FSB to all other low-pro gasblocks as it (obviously) uses the original mounting holes/pins and I believe this to be the most secure.
This is true and a lot of metal must come off of the FSB for fit under the LaRue rail. I’ve done maybe 8 builds like this.
It’s time consuming but like you I think it’s best surefire way to ensure nothing can move. The way I install these after cutting/grinding them down with LaRue rails is to install and torque down the barrel nut. Slide the rail over the barrel. Slide the gas block with the gas tube already installed on it onto the barrel and manipulate the rail around so that I have access though one of its bottom side vent holes so that I can knock in each taper pin. There’s a little less room to work in on a LaRue vs a DD Lite Rail. I use a large roll pin starter to the pins more than 1/2 way in and then use a large brass punch to finish. I apply a tiny bit of blue or green Loc-Tite to the pins.
This is the only way to do it on a DD Lite Rail as they can’t slide over any gas block because of the way the gas tube passes through the rail vs a LaRue where the gas tube and barrel pass through the center of the rail (same oblong hole).
The only time I don’t do a shaved FSB-to-gas block is when the customer doesn’t take my advice. Or wants its ‘right now’ and can’t/doesn’t want to wait the few days it takes to shave, sandblast and refinish. But instead opts for a set screw gas block which I dimple the barrel for one of the set screws to keep it from moving.
I was discussing a new AR with Tina Elmore. She explained that shaving the factory installed FSB is Ken’s prefered method. That over a LaRue rail is probably the way I’m gonna go.
Bob
That’s what I did… shaved that puppy and it’s the only way to go as far as I’m concerned.
Harv, did you happen to take a pic of the shaved block before you installed the rail.
I have a shaved FSB in-progress at home that I’ll try and remember to take pics of today at lunch when I’m home working on it. I got the front half down small enough to get the DD rail over, but I’m still working on the back. Should have the back ground down today, the FSB refinished with norrells on Thursday, and the carbine put together on Friday.
Here ya go
Wow! You shaved the HELL outta that sumbitch!
I’m just doing the minimum I need to do to get it to fit on mine.
Harv, nice job.
That looks great.
Some various crummy pics of mine before and after the work I did at lunch today.
Before:
After:
I was going to hit it with the alumahyde when I was done to avoid having to drag out all the airbrush crap for the Norrell’s, but the damn can had seized up and even a spare tip wouldn’t un-seize it.
It’s looking like this one might get Krylon just 'cause I’m tired of messing with it and hidden under the rail it’ll never have a wear issue.
Does Alumahyde work good on steel?
It does if you’re protecting it and it’s not getting alot of wear. Frankly I’ve been more than underwhelmed with Norrell’s as a whole and find Alumahyde to be just as durable, albeit thicker.
I actually copied the shape from a guy over at TOS. I was blowing Mettalic Dust particles out of my nose for about two days.
He suggested a round wood sanding bit and it did work. I went thru about half a dozen of the ceramic cutting disks to carve away the heavy stuff and then finsih up with the round wood bit.
I then slapped on a few coats of Krylon and that was it. I figured it was under the Hand-guard so who cares about the finish. it fit just fine under the 12.0" Samson rail (I know…I know… but I got it used for $190 shipped)
Harv-
Nice work. What’s that thin flat plate behind the block?
I love DIY & Dremels!
That was the Hand Guard Cap cut down to just a shim to fill in the gap behind the Gas block. I didn’t really need it as the pins determine the blocks location, but added it any how.
[b]Our Wire EDM does a nice job of “shaving”.
ML [/b]
Sweet!