question on how to remove the gas block from an AR-15

[migkillertwo]

I just installed a set of Yankee hill machine free-float handguards on my ar-15, so I probably should have asked this question before doing it, but here goes anyway.

I heard that you need a special tool/block thingy from brownells to support the gas block when removing the tapered pins. At first I just rested the gas block on a piece of 2x4, and then I put the gas block and barrel in my vice (surrounded by a rag to keep from dinging of course).

Putting it in the vice worked like a charm, I think. My question was; was it a good idea to put the gas block in a vice and then punch the retaining pins out, or do I really need the block thingy from brownells?

 

[wally]

I just used a piece of 2x and a punch both in and out. What is most important is driving the taper pins from the correct direction

Since you've got the pins out, seems you answered your own question.

The special tools make life easier if you do it a lot, but for a one of they are not cost very cost effective.

A $20 AR multi-wrench is all you really need, maybe a vice if your legs aren't very strong, but I've never had to do anything but clamp the rifle between my knees to torque and un-torque things on an AR. Most free float tubes require replacing the barrel nut and I've never figured out a way to do it without the AR wrench.

 

[migkillertwo]

you were able to do this job without a vice?

Very interesting, but I think I made the right decision using the vice block from model1sales.

 

[highorder]

I once tore an AR flattop upper apart trying to loosen a barrel nut.

I didn't have a vice block and didn't think I'd need one just to get the nut off.

$80 mistake and learning experience for me. I've had good luck tapping pins out, provided you do go in the right direction! I have a few different bench blocks made of nylon, steel, and copper to help out. YMMV.

 

[riomedinamike]

Do yourself a big favor and go to Brownells and get the orange block specifically made for just this purpose. It makes a hard job really simple, but most pins need a really good whack with a big ball peen hammer to loosen them up. Some people put some penetrating oil on and let it sit for awhile, but honestly once you get the block from Brownells I couldn't notice a difference. The block isn't cheap = around $30 = but it's cheaper than busting up a nice barrel. You won't regret having the right tool for the job.