Best Gas Tube Roll Pin Install Method

[BluntForceTrauma]

Bunch of great ideas to try! Thanks. Got a 20" build coming up.

[grayfox]

T25 security torx. or, I have a 9/64 hex fitting that also has a hole that works for the gas tube roll pin.

[LRRPF52]

I modified my Brownell's bench block tool to fit low profile gas blocks for this very purpose.




You can also secure the gas block in a vice with inserts, and tap the roll pin in that way to get it started.

The most critical part of installing the gas block, gas tube, and roll pin is aligning the gas tube correctly to ensure no clipping of the carrier key. This is the most overlooked operation of gas block installation, along with mis-alignment along the longitudinal axis (back-to-front) with the gas port.

The other most overlooked aspect of gas block installation is incorrect gas block ID relative to the barrel's OD around the gas port area.

Competent and experienced manufacturers are able to spec their gas blocks to have an interference fit for a right gas seal, whereas the after market caters to ease of assembly to DIY types who lack proper tools for an interference fit. The end result is a gas block with a gap between the journal and ID, allowing gas leakage and resulting short-stroke FTExtract or FTFeed malfunctions.

The TDP calls for a tight gas block fit to the barrel and the big manufacturers that know what they're doing have fixtures in place to set up the operation correctly and easily.

[FLshooter]

I have a set of Grace roll pin holders.But Clem’s idea of the T25 torx security bit is brilliant.If you have a set of security Torx bits.Me,I love specialty tools,so I have both.

[DCC83501]

Vise-grips, electrical tape, and steel punch works decent. Just broke down and bought a set of Geissele gas block punches among some of their other tools though.. will find out later this week how well they work.

I bought the Geissele set up, but only use the starter to get pin stated. then just use a good pair of channel locks with tape on them to squeeze it home. easy as pie!

[gwtx]

I bought roll pin starter punches($6.49), and the regular roll pin punches ($11.50) on ebay. Don't remember the seller. A hemostat clamp works well to hold the pin. I use another pin punch from the other side as a "slave" pin that was mentioned. It also keeps the block from rolling around. Seems like things like this are much more trouble than they "used to be" ,,,for some of us.

[Bdlot]

I am a newbie, and I am on my first build, but I found out that my house base trim has the perfect profile to fit my 0.750 gas block. Tape the tube/gas block for alignment and it holds it perfectly for pin install.

[Bdlot]

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[FRB6.5]

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That is awesome. Surprised some enterprising soul isn't selling that in 2" sections as an install jig.

[Bdlot]

That is awesome. Surprised some enterprising soul isn't selling that in 2" sections as an install jig.

Menards and Home Depot have the market covered already. It did work pretty well for my first. I bought a few extra pins after hearing what a pain in the butt the procedure is.

[olde sarge]

I second the channel locks with painters tape and I round the leading edge of the roll pin a bit and use a little grease. In fact the channel locks will insert all pins I have encountered on my rifles as long as they have been properly taped.