DIY Pinned Gas Block

[K.L. Davis]

This is a new product from a local company, 87 Industries - the gas block itself is a very well made 17-4PH SS, low-profile arangement, the couple I was able to see fit on a 0.750 pin gauge perfectly!

The trick to these is that small pocket milled out on the side... at the bottom is a drillpoint dimple for aligning and starting a drill - this allows anyone to drill to pin their own gas block installation. Even with a cheap-ass drill press (or even a cordless hand held drill) you can drill a hole that clips the barrel perfectly. The included cross pin is splined to ensure a tight fit and the kit comes with the GB, drill bit, knurled set screw, allen wrench and lock-tite.

https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=687&pictureid=3333

[SeriousStudent]

Very interesting. Do they have a projected price at this time?

And when do they think they will be ready for sale?

[AKDoug]

Funny how something this simple took so long to make it to the market.

[Iraqgunz]

Clint from Black River Tactical has them also.

[Col_Crocs]

Do you happen to have a photo of the pin? Interested to see how it looks.

[Kissel]

I did one myself from Black River. Nothing to it.

[JasonB1]

That should be do-able with a standard FSB and the threaded hole under the sling swivel ears would barely be noticeable.

[K.L. Davis]

Funny how something this simple took so long to make it to the market.
This has actually been around for at least three years now... just never really produced for resale.

[AKDoug]

That should be do-able with a standard FSB and the threaded hole under the sling swivel ears would barely be noticeable.

I had to digest what you were saying for a second, but I think you are on to something. Holding it in place with a set screw long enough to drill and pin it would alleviate the need for a jig setup for DIY guys. Still lots of ways to screw it up, though. A lo-pro gas block can be off a couple degrees left or right without an issue, an FSB not so much.

[mtdawg169]

This is a new product from a local company, 87 Industries - the gas block itself is a very well made 17-4PH SS, low-profile arangement, the couple I was able to see fit on a 0.750 pin gauge perfectly!

The trick to these is that small pocket milled out on the side... at the bottom is a drillpoint dimple for aligning and starting a drill - this allows anyone to drill to pin their own gas block installation. Even with a cheap-ass drill press (or even a cordless hand held drill) you can drill a hole that clips the barrel perfectly. The included cross pin is splined to ensure a tight fit and the kit comes with the GB, drill bit, knurled set screw, allen wrench and lock-tite.

https://www.m4carbine.net/picture.php?albumid=687&pictureid=3333

KL, do you recommend the use of an alignment jig like the one sold by Rainier Arms for use with these "pin-ready" gas blocks? Is it possible for you to give us a tutorial on this?

[JasonB1]

I had to digest what you were saying for a second, but I think you are on to something. Holding it in place with a set screw long enough to drill and pin it would alleviate the need for a jig setup for DIY guys. Still lots of ways to screw it up, though. A lo-pro gas block can be off a couple degrees left or right without an issue, an FSB not so much.

It *might* be possible to zero it with the set screw prior to drilling it. I de-banned a barrel in 2004-2005 with a used lugged FSB(mod'd to use 8-32 set screws) and for some reason I think I was only snugging the bottom screw down to zero it prior to tightening the 4 upper screws.

Of course (even if the memory is right on that) getting it from the range to underneath a drill bit without something off getting out of alignment could be an issue.

[Col_Crocs]

KL, do you recommend the use of an alignment jig like the one sold by Rainier Arms for use with these "pin-ready" gas blocks? Is it possible for you to give us a tutorial on this?

It doesnt look like the guide-hole on the jig and the flat on this GB would line up.

[K.L. Davis]

KL, do you recommend the use of an alignment jig like the one sold by Rainier Arms for use with these "pin-ready" gas blocks? Is it possible for you to give us a tutorial on this?
I think the folks that are making them will be doing a video... and I don't want to talk out of school on it, but here is the rundown on what I do know.

I came up with this when I worked at Vltor (but I would be surprised if no one else had thought of it before that) - They are not really pin ready, they have a drill-point dimple machined in the side to start and guide the drill. Trying to poke the hole all the way through the gas block first didn't work out so well... as you are trying to drill "half a hole" when you hit the barrel; bits stick, walk, etc.

The idea is that you do not need a guide, or a mill/drill, or even a plunge cut end mill - you line up the bottom setscrew hole with the dimple (or index mark you make), install and tighten the setscrew, then put the barrel in a vice and drill the hole. I would strongly suggest using a drill press and a level and square to make sure the hole is straight - but I have seen it done with a cordless drill and a second set of eyes to keep things straight.

Anyway, a fellow Vltor alumn asked me earlier this year if he could offer them commercially, and here you are - he found a much better pin for these and the whole package is a very nice product. More info is at 87ind.com

[K.L. Davis]

It *might* be possible to zero it with the set screw prior to drilling it. I de-banned a barrel in 2004-2005 with a used lugged FSB(mod'd to use 8-32 set screws) and for some reason I think I was only snugging the bottom screw down to zero it prior to tightening the 4 upper screws.

Of course (even if the memory is right on that) getting it from the range to underneath a drill bit without something off getting out of alignment could be an issue.
It is easy to lock a standard FSB in place... tape up the jaws on a pair of vice-grips and lock them down on the sides of one of the "barrel bands" - it does not take much pressure to squeeze the sides of the band in enough to hold the FSB in place for drilling the pins...

[87 Industries]

Thanks Mr. Davis for the kind intro. There's been a lot of thought and consideration put into this despite being such a small part.

Here are some answers to questions posed thus far:

They're in stock and available now (http://87ind.com/products/pinblock) $64.95 MSRP.

The jig from BRDE appears to align perfectly as we both aimed to center the pin right on the edge of the barrel. So if you already have the jig, it should work just fine. That being said, the whole intent was to enable those with no jig or fixture to pin their block. After you lock the set screw down, it won't budge, even if you don't have a dimpled barrel. (though dimpled is certainly better)

The splined cross pin is half the magic. It makes for a tight fit and smooth installation under almost any circumstance. It's tapered, yet doesn't require any reaming after drilling the hole. Fewer ops. Less tools. Insanely durable fit.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5474/9460644219_3f1ce0881e_o.jpg

I'll try to get more pics or videos up shortly, but in the meanwhile the first couple of people using the promo code "M4C" should get free shipping. (http://87ind.com/products/pinblock)


Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear 'em.


http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0237/2895/products/Pinned-Barrel-PinBlock2a_1024x1024.jpg?1043

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0237/2895/products/PinBlock-Pinned-Gas-Block-Kit_1024x1024.jpg?1043

[Clint]

Looks good.

[87 Industries]

I just made a video showing what's included. I should have more clips up soon with assembly instructions. It's so easy with this kit.

Youtube Link. (http://youtu.be/FcoZXgbWon0)

We've got a bunch of other high-reliability parts in the pipeline that we hope to release shortly, so share it if you like it!

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/87-Industries/176658159163711) for discussion
Twitter (https://twitter.com/87ind) for news
Instagram (http://instagram.com/87industries) for pics

[rif4trbo]

any for .625 barrels in the works

[87 Industries]

any for .625 barrels in the works

If the demand is there, absolutely. Pencil barrels are awesome and I love that they're making a comeback of sorts.


87 Industries? lol.

http://www.ar15.com/images/smilies/smiley_bucktooth.gif

[haunas]

Any videos for use in installing the Pin Block? It is interesting and looking at either getting this or the BRD rig. Just mainly interested in setup in a vice and also, alignment. Is there a pilot hole through the gas block that one could use as a centering hole placing it in the drill/mill, aligning the gas block and vice to the centering rod in the mill/drill, locking the setup down, then placing the barrel in, somehow tightening, and then drilling?

Measure twice, cut once.

Thanks
Chris

[stonerAR]

Good info

[87 Industries]

Any videos for use in installing the Pin Block? It is interesting and looking at either getting this or the BRD rig. Just mainly interested in setup in a vice and also, alignment. Is there a pilot hole through the gas block that one could use as a centering hole placing it in the drill/mill, aligning the gas block and vice to the centering rod in the mill/drill, locking the setup down, then placing the barrel in, somehow tightening, and then drilling?

Measure twice, cut once.

Thanks
Chris

Hi Chris,

No installation videos... yet. It's on the list however.

There's a pilot feature cut into the block. It's not quite a hole, but a flat with a dimple that absolutely works to center your bit in a drill/mill.

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. The #1 piece of feedback we've received so far is "Wow, this installed way easier than I thought it would."

--Blaine
Guy In Charge

[ASH556]

I was looking for some gas blocks to use on a couple new builds. I came across this thread and decided to try the 87 Industries block. I own and have used the BRDE jig, and I find the 87 Industries block to be much easier to use and get right. Here's a video I made yesterday of installing an 87 Industries PinBlock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhEdJ6i7-HY

[mtdawg169]

I was looking for some gas blocks to use on a couple new builds. I came across this thread and decided to try the 87 Industries block. I own and have used the BRDE jig, and I find the 87 Industries block to be much easier to use and get right. Here's a video I made yesterday of installing an 87 Industries PinBlock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhEdJ6i7-HY

Nice work buddy!

[haunas]

I was looking for some gas blocks to use on a couple new builds. I came across this thread and decided to try the 87 Industries block. I own and have used the BRDE jig, and I find the 87 Industries block to be much easier to use and get right. Here's a video I made yesterday of installing an 87 Industries PinBlock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhEdJ6i7-HY

Awesome just what I was looking for. Thanks!

[karmapolice]

this is the upper that was used in the video, this gas block is great and a clean install for sure!

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3797/13153871665_79b275ec31_k.jpg

[karmapolice]

here is a close up shot of the gas block under the rail

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/13173050753_66951f3c0b_b.jpg

[Sparky5019]

Nice to see! The Syrac blocks come with this mill cut in them also. I did one yesterday with a taper pin. I didn't use a jig but just made certain the barrel was level in the vise and the block "flat". Came put perfect! Glad to see there's another option as well!