View Full Version : Gas block question.. Is it salvageable???
Alright guys, I'm needing some help.. (Warning: This probably belongs in the gunsmithing hall of shame thread).
A friend mine bought a BCM Recce carbine and decided to swap barrels for a lighter weight barrel. After the swap he asked if I wanted the old barrel assembly since he wasn't going to use it, so naturally I said "hell yes" with the intent on using it to build a beater/training rifle.
The barrel is a 14.5 BCM government profile barrel with a pinned BCM comp.
Well this is what he gave me..
http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o753/Rogue556/20170219_191443_zpsmlkhzghj.jpg (http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/Rogue556/media/20170219_191443_zpsmlkhzghj.jpg.html)
http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o753/Rogue556/20170219_191945_zpsrlrowwiu.jpg (http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/Rogue556/media/20170219_191945_zpsrlrowwiu.jpg.html)
http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o753/Rogue556/20170219_192034_zpsjqyhqax8.jpg (http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/Rogue556/media/20170219_192034_zpsjqyhqax8.jpg.html)
http://i1341.photobucket.com/albums/o753/Rogue556/20170219_192100_zps11zic7l0.jpg (http://s1341.photobucket.com/user/Rogue556/media/20170219_192100_zps11zic7l0.jpg.html)
Apparently instead of heating the barrel up to remove the screws, he decided to *attempt* to drill the screws out. He didn't drill deep enough to contact the barrel, and from what I can tell it doesn't look like he drilled past the screw head, so the gas block is still installed in the correct position. He didn't know the muzzle device was permanently attached via pin either, and didn't understand you have to slide the gas block off to remove it.
As of right now it probably still functions, but I'd prefer to fix it before assembling it into a complete rifle. So what route would be best? Send it off to have the BCM comp and gas block removed and replaced (most expensive option), buy a jig from BRD engineering and just pin this gas block in place and call it good, or attempt to run it as is (not sure how I feel about that). I'm leaning toward buying the BRD jig (I have a few other builds that I need it for anyway) and pinning it and leaving it be. It currently has a standard barrel nut on it, and I planned on running a Centurion C4 rail, so that's no biggie there.
What do you guys think? Would pinning this block be worth it, or is it damaged to the point that it warrants being replaced?
Thanks!
You could salvage the barrel by sending it to ADCO.
If you are careful, you could do the work yourself without damaging the barrel or it's finish.
I wouldn't pin the gas block like that. If it functions, it's probably ok, but it's ugly and would bother my CDO
Yo I told you what to do on imgur!
As long as it functions pin it and call it a day.
You could salvage the barrel by sending it to ADCO.
If you are careful, you could do the work yourself without damaging the barrel or it's finish.
I wouldn't pin the gas block like that. If it functions, it's probably ok, but it's ugly and would bother my CDO
Oh it's most definitely ugly. I may try it out and see if it still runs with a spare stripped upper I have laying around. If it wasn't for it being a pinned 14.5 I'd probably find a way to carefully dremel it off and just swap gasblocks. Oh well, it was free so I shouldn't complain.
Yo I told you what to do on imgur!
As long as it functions pin it and call it a day.
Lmao Man I just KNEW you had to be an M4C member. I created an Imgur account to link images here since photobucket has had electronic aids here lately, but for the life of me can't figure Imgur out. I thought the pictures were posted in a private album until everyone started commenting on the hack job haha.
I actually have been waiting on BRD's Geissele jig to come back in stock to finish an 18" SPR build, and was looking for an excuse to buy the BCM/Vltor jig as well anyway since over half my rifles are factory assembled BCM's. Looks like I have an excuse now.
Dionysusigma
02-19-17, 23:48
I created an Imgur account to link images here since photobucket has had electronic aids here lately, but for the life of me can't figure Imgur out. I thought the pictures were posted in a private album until everyone started commenting on the hack job haha.
https://www.reddit.com/r/IgnorantImgur/ :D
Edited to add actual help: If I were to salvage the barrel (the most pricey bit of the upper) I'd drill the pins further, and use an EZ-Out (https://www.amazon.com/piece-Easy-Screw-Bolt-Extractor/dp/B0002UJNWE). Replace the gas block, gas block screws, and compensator (which by law would have to be destroyed during removal anyway). That's a big If, though. By the time all that's said and done, I'd rather just get a new upper assembly.
Maybe there's a way to drill the comp's blindpin, EZ-Out the gas block pins, reinstall the barrel and comp, and then blind-pin and weld both the comp and gas block... but then you'd be completely stuck with that final configuration. I'd still just get a new, complete upper instead of going to such great lengths to maybe get something that might work. :(
Do it correctly. Remove the pinned MD, replace the gas block & repin the MD back on. If you're not capable of doing the work yourself, find someone who is.
556BlackRifle
02-20-17, 02:46
I'd do what MistWolf suggested and send it to ADCO. If it can be fixed they'll fix it. If it can't, they can remove the muzzle device, replace the gas block and pin & weld a new muzzle device. This could get more expensive than it's worth.
Good luck!
You MAY and I stress MAY be able to salvage that muzzle device. Your buddy most likely couldn't remove the screws because they are very hard to remove, even with heat. That said, I would seek some qualified assistance in the removal.
Why he did so anyways is beyond me, since the barrel can be removed by simply removing the gas tube.
[url]...EZ-Out the gas block pins...
There's nothing left to EZ Out. Drilling any deeper will result in drilling into the barrel itself
By the time you ship it out, ship it back, pay the labor and replace the GB/MD you're gonna have 200 bucks in a free barrel. For 200 bucks you could buy a Faxon 16" barrel, GB and A2 FH. If it were given to me I would TIG the GB on and put it away for a real rainy day.
There is absolutely no reason to throw any money after that thing.
NONE.
Pinning the gas block will make it 100 percent functional and duty reliable. If you can't bring yourself to just pin it and use it as a beater sell it to someone who will and put the money towards your new safe queen...
So then a clamp-on rail is the only future for this barrel assembly?
Why he did so anyways is beyond me, since the barrel can be removed by simply removing the gas tube.
I'm not sure what he was thinking (This is his first rifle and he's not exactly mechanically inclined). He was already sending the upper off to ADCO to be assembled so there really was no need to take it apart him self. I think he was attempting to save a few bucks. (We see how that turned out [emoji52]. Once again history repeats itself on M4C)
By the time you ship it out, ship it back, pay the labor and replace the GB/MD you're gonna have 200 bucks in a free barrel.
This^
This could get more expensive than it's worth.
And this ^
.. are what I am trying to avoid, but ultimately is what I was expecting. If it comes down to that I'll probably just sell it for cheap to someone with the tools to fix it, or throw it in the spare parts bin. I may still pin it with a BRD jig and run it in a spare upper but I don't think I'm going to dump any more than that into a free barrel. I have plenty of other go to rifles so I don't think it would be worth it in the end.
So then a clamp-on rail is the only future for this barrel assembly?
Yes. I was going to find a used Centurion C4 rail to throw on it, with a BCM blem upper and run it like that.
Good deal!
Yes. I was going to find a used Centurion C4 rail to throw on it, with a BCM blem upper and run it like that.
jackblack73
02-20-17, 13:17
Personally, since it seems like the set screws are still engaged with the barrel and you're just going to use it as a beater, I'd just install it as-is. I'd do it more out of curiosity than anything. BCM gas blocks are known to be difficult to remove, and I always have more than one rifle at the range anyway. So I'd just shoot it to see if it holds up. If the gas block ever shifts you could pin it then. Definitely wouldn't pour any money into it.
The set screws look like they're gone.
Some of you guys wouldn't make over at the FAL Files. Or survive long enough to earn a degree from WECSOG. Over on the Files, this thread would be about how the muzzle device had been removed, the gas block cut off, new parts installed, the upper reinstalled and how well it shoots
The head of the screws are definitely gone, but from the depth (just eyeing it as I don't have the right tools to measure) it definitely wasn't drilled deep enough to contact the barrel. I'd say there is still 25%-50% of the screw threads still in there, but obviously that's not ideal. The pictures I posted make it look deeper than it is.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
jackblack73
02-20-17, 14:58
My thinking was based on the fact that, if the set screws were gone, you'd be able to move the gas block. Since you can't, I figure they're still there. Also BCM is known for using red loctite. Like I said, out of curiosity I'd run it like it is as a beater rifle. I wouldn't go to war with it or anything. That said, my opinion is based on the fact that I don't have the tools to fix it as is, and I wouldn't want to put any money into it. If I already had the ability to fix it, I'd fix it.
Toyoland66
02-20-17, 15:09
If you drill and pin the GB then your issue is only cosmetic. Pin the GB, round off the sharp edges from
The drilling toss some paint on it and run it. It's going to be covered by a rail anyway.
Sidneyious
02-20-17, 15:13
I can't help with the barrel but for imgur you need to set the photo as private.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170220/3b53724d423bc09ca85115be528975a0.jpg
With all the love for jive ass lightweight parts, I'm surprised this hasn't caught on as hip new lightening cuts.
Seriously, just use it. It's probably fine if the tips of the screws are still there, and if not, pin it and call it done. That's a pretty sweet set up for free and if you spend $50 on a jig to pin it you're still winning. You could do a lot worse than having good friends who give you free barrels.
With all the love for jive ass lightweight parts, I'm surprised this hasn't caught on as hip new lightening cuts.
Seriously, just use it. It's probably fine if the tips of the screws are still there, and if not, pin it and call it done. That's a pretty sweet set up for free and if you spend $50 on a jig to pin it you're still winning. You could do a lot worse than having good friends who give you free barrels.
No joke. I suppose that means I can list it on Gunbroker for tree-fiddy now that it's been "customized".
I'm just going to pin it since I'm ordering the jig anyway. If it fails to function properly I'll chunk it in the spare parts bin and buy another BCM middy barrel. I like giving them my money anyway.
Thanks guys
Dump it on gunbroker for $50 or throw it in the trash and move on.
I would not have that shit installed on any of my guns. It brings your competency into question when someone else is "sizing you up"
Do not listen to others in this thread.
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