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Thread: Need advice on a Gas block

  1. #1
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    Need advice on a Gas block

    I bought a 16-inch midlength barrel from a manufacturer called Alpha Omega. It is melonite coated and not the standard goverment profile.

    I bought a basic low profile gas block from a LGS and when I proceeded to install the gb it would not fit. I went back to the lgs and showed one of the AR armorers there. He told me that it is possible that the melonite coating on the barrel is a bit too thick (not really a bad thing) but now I would need a different gas block.

    What are my other options? I was looking at Midway and saw they have a lo-pro gas block that is slotted. It is the clamp-on style, not the usual set screw type, but I want to be sure this will work before I go ahead and buy it. If not, then I will sell/return the barrel and get a standard one. Thanks.

  2. #2
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    Melonite is a treatment not a coating. One of the 2 items might be out of spec. Do you have access to calipers? Check the barrels OD at the gasport before ordering another one. If it's larger than is should be, have the mfg take care of it. Dont sacrfice your gasblock options to compensate for it.

  3. #3
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    Melonite is a layer of nitride ranging from 0.0002 to 0.001" in thickness. Maybe it's too thick, but seems unlikely. Phosphate is usually somewhere 0.1 to 2 mils.

    I agree, I'd mic the barrel at the gas port.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Col_Crocs View Post
    Melonite is a treatment not a coating. One of the 2 items might be out of spec. Do you have access to calipers? Check the barrels OD at the gasport before ordering another one. If it's larger than is should be, have the mfg take care of it. Dont sacrfice your gasblock options to compensate for it.
    Thanks for the info. I don't have access to a caliper but I'll try to contact the vendor where I bought the barrel first, and then the barrel manufacturer. It's obvious that the barrel is too thick at the gas port since the gb would not slide through. But this is not a standard midlength barrel as I mentioned. I compared it side-by-side with another middy barrel at the lgs and the gas block fits on their phosphate barrels.

    Just to clarify, I bought the barrel from a gunshow vendor, and the gas block from a local LGS (2 different sellers). At this point I know the barrel is out of spec, (unless it requires a specific gas black from AO) like some Noveske barrels do.
    Last edited by JusticeM4; 11-10-13 at 20:45.

  5. #5
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    The standard barrel diameter for the gas block should be .750. Make sure your gas block isn't .625.

    If you don't have a caliper, you could check the barrel with a 3/4 inch and the gas block against a 5/8 inch open-end wrench.

  6. #6
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    Just to clear it.... you are using the correct diameter gas block for the barrel, right? There are two different common sizes, and a couple not-so common sizes..

    Assuming you are: how much of a difference is there? Have you tried with lubrication? It's not uncommon for gas blocks to refuse to slip on without some anti-friction applied.

  7. #7
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    What do you mean it "won't fit"? Is it tight or completely impossible to install? I have had to tap a few gas blocks into place to get them seated.



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  8. #8
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    I looked at your barrel brand and they make no mention of a specific gasblock diameter. Looking at the photos, it looks like the typical .750" at the port. Where it's different is under the handguards where it appears to be thinner than the typical government profile and towards the muzzle where it looks to be between .680" and .750".

  9. #9
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    If you want to keep it you can measure the barrel and BTE, Battle Tested Equipment, would custom hone you a GB to fit. He does that all the time for no extra charge. Top quality gear IMHO. I own about 12 in various sizes and styles.

    Greg

  10. #10
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    Col_Crocs is right on the money.

    Melonite add no significant thickness.

    The journal was probably just made too large.

    We make an oversized version of the MicroPin Gas Block specifically to fit nicely on Cerakoted barrels, but it works on plain oversized journals as well.

    http://www.blackrivertactical.com/co...pin-gas-block/

    You may also want to measure the gas port diameter on this gunshow special while you're at it.
    Last edited by Clint; 11-10-13 at 22:29.
    Black River Tactical
    BRT OPTIMUM HFCL Barrels - Hammer Forged Chrome Lined 11.5", 12.5", 14.5"
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    BRT EZTUNE Preset Gas Tubes - CAR and MID
    BRT Covert Comps 7.62, 5.56, 6X, 9mm
    BRT MarkBlue Gas Tubes - BRT EXT, EXC and PDW Lengths
    BRT MicroPin Gas Blocks - .750" & .625"
    BRT MicroTUNE Adjustable Gas Blocks
    BRT CustomTUNE Gas Ports

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