Question about replacing the gas block on an AR
- Thread starter Kingfish
- Start date
No difference provided the type with the set screws has a slight dimple drilled into the barrel for one of the screws to set into. Once you get it set just screw in a set screw nice and hard that will mark the barrel where you need to drill the slight divit.
Guess I would need to pull the old one off and see if the dimple is there before I order a replacement. No way I would try to dimple the barrel for a set screw. No skills for such things. If there is no significant advantage between the two styles, I'll probably go with the clamp type.
That’s easy. It requires zero skilz.
The dimple makes it lock in place easier but it’s not really necessary. Once you have it torqued, back out one at a time and use BLUE threadlocker and retorque. Repeat for the other one. It won’t go anywhere. Absolutely no RED or GREEN
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Loctite does not have a product, to the best of my knowledge that will handle the heat of being used on a gas block set screw or clamping screw. See below:
I have yet to use it, but vibratite does:
www.vibra-tite.com
I don’t know if it is any good though. I’m typically a loctite only kinda guy.
On my most recent build I had the barrel manufacturer pin the block to the barrel, which in my limited knowledge is far superior. Loctite and similar is just glue, with a little bit of lubricant built in to keep threads from galling upon tightening/removal. Pinning the block provides an index and a mechanical lock. The other thing you could do is dimple and set screw, still use loctite because of its lubricant properties, and then stake the set screws to the block. Would be pretty easy and is also easy to remove in the future.
I have yet to use it, but vibratite does:
Hot-Lock® Extreme High Temperature Threadlocker
www.vibra-tite.com
On my most recent build I had the barrel manufacturer pin the block to the barrel, which in my limited knowledge is far superior. Loctite and similar is just glue, with a little bit of lubricant built in to keep threads from galling upon tightening/removal. Pinning the block provides an index and a mechanical lock. The other thing you could do is dimple and set screw, still use loctite because of its lubricant properties, and then stake the set screws to the block. Would be pretty easy and is also easy to remove in the future.
Loctite, vibratite & permatex all make hightemp/high strength permanent locker.
I don't recall the type model number of any of them, know they're red shades.
I've used clamp on and set screw blocks on ar15s,
The clamp ons are easiest Install,
the set screw style on a few barrels had to divot, others already had a divot in right spot, did stake the head.
On both clamp on and set screw styles I just used blue loctite, none have ever backed out.
I don't recall the type model number of any of them, know they're red shades.
I've used clamp on and set screw blocks on ar15s,
The clamp ons are easiest Install,
the set screw style on a few barrels had to divot, others already had a divot in right spot, did stake the head.
On both clamp on and set screw styles I just used blue loctite, none have ever backed out.
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Super simple to do,
