How to Replace an AR-15 Gas Block

How to Replace an AR-15 Gas Block

 

How to Replace an AR-15 Gas Block
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I wanted to add a free float rail to my AR-15, but my A2 Style front sight was in the way.  I had to remove it and replace it with a a low profile AR-15 gas block.

This was not complicated, but it did take some effort.  Proper tools of good quality make this process much easier.

The recommended tools are:

  • Cupped Punch
  • Good Punch set
  • Hammer
  • AR-15 Gunsmiths block
  • Vise
  • AR-15 Upper Receiver block
  • AR-15 Barrel Wrench

Here is the basic process.

  • Remove hand-guards and upper receiver
  • Unscrew the flash hider and crush washer if present
  • Remove the tapered pins holding the front sight/gas block
  • Remove the pin holding the gas tube to the front sight/gas block
  • Pull gas block off end of the barrel – a block of wood may help is the gun suggest the block move.
  • Put the gas tube into the gas block, align it so the large roll pin hole lines up with the roll pin hole in the block.  Also you must make sure that the gas hole in the tube lines up with the gas hole in the block.
  • Slide the new gas block onto the barrel, be sure to line up the large gas hole in the block with the smaller gas hole in the barrel.  If the holes do not line up the gun will not work as a semi-auto
  • Tighten the set screws to tighten the gas block into the barrel

AR 15 Solvent Collectors

AR 15 Solvent Collectors
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I am going to give you my opinion and tell you some common thoughts on the idea on solvent collectors but remember I am not a lawyer, am not familiar with the state laws of your state, and am not responsible for you getting arrested for breaking the law.

At gun-shows across the country, and all on the internet people sell adapters that screw to the barrel of your firearm on one end and on the other it is threaded to some device designed to trap cleanign solvent.

I have most commonly seen such solvent collector adapters for oil filters, soda bottles, and maglites.

I have also seen people adapt oil filters, soda bottles, and maglites into DIY firearm noise suppressors.

One of these uses is legal, the other probably is not.

Now I have, in the past owned one of these solvent traps, but the temptation of trying it with a oil filter was great and so I parted ways with it.

Because, unless you have the proper federal paperwork and tax stamp showing you have paid your money it is a federal crime to have an adaptor, a gun, and a collector with a hole though it.  The BATFE considers this to be an unregistered suppressor.

Now, you can make a legal suppressor if you first pay money and fill out the proper forms.  I really want to do a video of a maglite suppressor build.  I don’t because the BATFE has ruled that once the suppressor is built the entire device is a single non-repairable unit if a non-manufacturer builds one.  Meaning when I shoot out the freeze plugs that make up the baffles I am out the $200 tax stamp.

What makes this so irritating is that I have a friend that is a licensed manufacturer, and if he makes the same thing he can repair his (or mine if I bought it from him).

I don’t revolt against the law, but the confusing and nonsensical regulations that are not law but are enforced as law is the main reason I am 100% in support of dissolving the BATFE.

How to Use the Keymod Rail System

 

AR-15 Keymod Rail System
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In a recent video I showed installing a free float rail on an AR-15.  In this video I explain the Keymod rail mounting system and why I like it.

I used a Keymod rail, which is a way to attach accessories.

The keyhole shaped mounting holes are secure.  They are easy to slid the part in, and tighten it down.

This allows parts to be installed and removed easily.  I have this rail on several rifles.  It is inexpensive and holds my accessories easily.

I find the keymod system to be both easy to use and sturdy.  A plus is that I like how it looks.

In conclusion, I would not pick a firearm accessory strictly on looks because I’m not a mall ninja, but it is nice when you can get function and looks.

How to Measure Shotgun Barrels to Ensure Legality

 

Measuring Shotgun Barrels for Legality
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There is a lot of confusion, miscommunication, misconceptions, and flat out lies in the gun world.  This is especially true when it comes to the National Firearms Act and how it regulates things like suppressors, machine guns, destructive devices, short barrel rifles, and my favorite – Short Barrel Shotguns.

Today I want to clear up some of the confusion with some information on how the BATFE goes about measuring shotgun barrels for legality.  This actually works for any firearm measurement so it also works for Short barrel rifles as well.

The length measurement has to be standardized so that different people won’t measure the same gun and come up with different measurements.  Otherwise I can cut a gun and be 100 per cent certain I am legal and some agent can measure their way and arrest me.

The measurement is from the breech face of the closed bolt through the barrel to the muzzle.

I think that if I was doing this a lot, I would get me a dowel rod and paint a red mark at the exact legal limit, as long as I dripped it down the barrel on a closed and empty action and saw wood in between the mark and the muzzle I would know I was good on length.

The Whys and Hows of Contact Shooting

The Whys and Hows of Contact Shooting
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Contact shooting is just what it sounds like. Putting the muzzle of the weapon in contact with the target and shooting it. This is done when you absolutely cannot afford to miss. An example of this would be your spouse or child being attacked and they are wrestling on the ground. Traditional aiming would be unsafe as there is too much movement and the good guy is too close to the bad guy.

The technique shown in the video is for locked breech guns that won’t fire when they are out of battery. Out of battery means the slide is depressed enough so that the gun is no longer locked.

This is particularly useful with Glocks, but it is applicable to many other makes and models.

Please take note that the gun not firing out of battery does not apply to all guns. I have owned semi-automatic pistols that would fire when the slide was depressed. Also, in class demonstrations with unloaded guns I have had the slide depresses, but not depressed enough so that the striker will fall.

Therefore:

Do not demonstrate the technique shown on the video with a loaded gun, mistakes can allow the gun to fire out of battery.

I have done this demonstration many times, and have guided students to do it hundreds of times. It is “scary” as many students are afraid the slide will come back and break their thumb.

This will not happen if pressure is placed on the back of the slide. This keeps the barrel locked and prevents the slide from moving under recoil. Do not let the slide move….

If you do not press the slide closed, and movement to the rear is started, it can hurt your thumb.

This is not a technique that needs a lot of practice, as it is a close proximity shot under extreme circumstances. Very few people will ever use this technique, but having it the tool box can be a lifesaver.