Should I pin over set screw?

[Renegade04]

So I'm at the stage in my build where I am assembling the upper -specifically the gas block.

One of my barrels is a LaRue* Stealth which has three dimples and I have the matching gas block. Beefy.
Should I get this pinned? Thoughts? *sidenote: I am having an multi-month ongoing CS issue with them right now.

Another of my barrels is a Ballistic Advantage Hanson. Comes with a pinned gas block, but no dimples. Should I send it off to have it dimpled?

Lastly, I have a GMR barrel with no dimples or pins. I originally wanted a FSB install, but I can't find someone who will do it because the barrel is nitride'd. Should I dimple & pin? On this one I am using a nitride low-pro Brownell's gas block. Weird set spacing at .415.

What's the thoughts on dimpling? Pinning? Is it a must? - All of these rifles could potentially be duty use.

How can I make sure the gas block is properly aligned without the barrel being dimpled? Can I do any of this work myself -I haven't found anyone in the mid-Michigan area I trust anymore.

Sorry if my thoughts are varied and scattered -ADHD like a mother.

On that LaRue Tactical Stealth barrel with their gas block, there is no need to pin it. Just use the supplied Loctite and you are good.

[Hulkstr8]

Furthermore, if I was to have the gas block pinned but then change the block to another in the future, would the pin hole size be applicable to other gas blocks?

[LookAtYourself]

i was told by a fairly well respected gunsmith that pinning a low profile gas block is completely unnecessary.

[tylerw02]

Geissele
Superlative
Ballistic Advantage
Syrac

Any links that have data? Would be an interesting read.


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[Ned Christiansen]

Just my opinion but pinned is better, always. Screws come loose, Loctite makes it less likely but not impossible.

Not saying "if it can come loose it will", but I will say "if it can come loose it might".

The good thing about a lo-pro GB is that it doesn't need to be so elaborate as two tapered pins-- because you don't have a 2 1/2" steel lever (front sight base) to attach. There's no big lever in place to get bumped. many lo-pro GB's will be well protected under the hand guard.

For me the set screws are there to hold it in place while I cross-pin it. A 1/8 or 3/16 split pin is adequate.

[jataylor11]

I pin all mine. Just too easy to do. Granted I dont taper-pin them I just use a coiled stainless roll pin I pick up from BRDEngineering. My go to lo-pro block is the SLR GB7-PIN with a pinning flat already on the block ready to go.

Rainier Extended .750 on a Spikes Optimum Profile Barrel
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IMG_0745.jpg

[Hulkstr8]

So if I get a BRD for SLR jig, do I need a drill press or a vise + hand drill?

Also, I emailed Jake Carlson of BRD and asked if it matters which dimpling jig I get if I only intend to drill one dimple -making sure it's the same profile width. He replied, "No sir, all of the jigs do one dimple under the gas port."

[jataylor11]

So if I get a BRD for SLR jig, do I need a drill press or a vise + hand drill?

Ive only used a good drill, bit, vise, NO-MAR vise jaws, low drill speed, patience and some cutting oil.

[hdrolling]

So if I get a BRD for SLR jig, do I need a drill press or a vise + hand drill?

Also, I emailed Jake Carlson of BRD and asked if it matters which dimpling jig I get if I only intend to drill one dimple -making sure it's the same profile width. He replied, "No sir, all of the jigs do one dimple under the gas port."

Yes, I would use a vice. Lots of dimple jigs out there, I use the SRL because I already had an SRL gas block and my SRL jig does two dimples not just one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m203m8jMYOk

[Rogue556]

Wasn't there a thread here a while back where pinning, set screws, and clamp on blocks were compared? I want to say dimpling the barrel had some affect on the bore, where pinned had much less of an affect. I can't remember if the difference was enough to even matter, but I decided to pin the Geissele gas block on my most recent SPR build anyway due in part to the info posted in that thread.

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