I found an FN barrel on sale at Midway for $188. Looked like a screaming deal on a known good barrel, so I snagged one. I posted it in the good deals thread and when I tried to post a link, it was gone.
This is the sticker on the box, it came in a sealed Metal-Guard plastic sleeve.
When I went to install the gas tube it was short. I had a carbine length tube in stock and it didn’t even make it to the hole in the upper.
This raised some red flags as it is clearly marked carbine gas, yet when I measured, sure enough it’s a mid length. No issue for me as either will work when properly gassed.
Next step was to gauge the gas port. Turns out it was smaller than my smallest pin gauge of .061, no way that would cycle a mid length gas system.
What to do? I figured if I return it I won’t get another barrel and I had already dimpled the side opposite the gas port, so I decided to try and carefully drill out the gas port to .077 which is the closest I could get with a bit I own.
I went slowly, with a new bit, using my Bosch hand drill. (I don't have a drill press at this house, but I have several at another.) It went perfectly, I was able to stop before punching through and hitting the inside of the barrel. I scoped the inside of the barrel and the inside of the hole is extremely clean and free of any burrs.
Guaged it again and it measured .077 which should cycle perfectly once my mid-length gas tubes arrive.
Bottom line here is to have the tools on hand to check and fix your shit. Even the best companies can produce garbage, at times.
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