Replacing Gas block?

GJ2nd

New member
I'm in the market for an Ar-15 and have seen a lot of A3 flat tops with front sight towers and I don't like the idea of a flat top with a front sight.
So how easy it is to remove that front sight? Is it part of the gas block or can it be removed without changing gas blocks?

What about adjustable blocks, to help keep lock time right?

I'm new to the black guns so please bear with me.

Thanks

GJ
 
The quickest and easiest way to eliminate that A2 sight base is to simply chop it off w/ a dremel tool. Look at bushmasters "optics ready" carbines or the remington R-15's. That's basically what they have. Pretty simple task, chop it off, reshape the gas block portion with a grinding stone on a dremel, touch up w/ some flat, black Krylon and you're in business.

They are pretty simple to remove and replace, just remember drive your pins out from left to right. Use a 2# hammer and a good solid punch, getting them started can take a few good whacks.

I have no experience w/ the adjustables, but believe they are primary use in the bigger bore (pistol cartridge) AR-15's.
 
Its real easy to remove, unless your muzzlebrake is permanantly attached, then you may have to cut it off. If the brake screws on, then all you have to do is take the brake off and knock the pins out of the sight and slide it off the barrel. the gas tube will come off with the front sight requiring you to knock the pin out of that also.

Id go to ar15.com...they probably have a sticky on how to remove the sight on there and with pics.

Good luck
 
what stormking and schultzy said, either chop it off , and touch it up or replace it, just remember to drive the pins from the small side, as they are wedge shaped.

The adjustable gas blocks are used for a number of things, such as tuning guns to non standard rounds / loads, and for when using with a suppressor.

On most AR rifles they are used to tune the rifle to be a bit smoother shooting, then without them.
 
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Thanks guy's

Is any one running Plum Crazy lower's? How do you like them?

A friend of mine is thinkin about selling his Ar but doesnt have a price. I'm trying to make up my mind if I want to buy his or gather one up on my own.

Thank you

GJ
 
The front sight tower also serves as the gas block. If you don't want to mess with removing the sight tower, and replacing it with a gas block, you can cut off the top portion of it with a cutting wheel in a dremel tool. You can round the edges where you made the cut then use some flat black paint to cover the bare steel. About a 15 minute job.
If you feel you need to remove and replace the front site tower you'll need to first remove your flash suppressor, then remove the gas tube, by driving out the roll pin that holds it in the site tower. Remove the gas tube from the site tower by carefully sliding it into the receiver. Next you'll need to punch out the pins that secure the site tower to the barrel. These pins are directional and should be removed by driving them out from left to right. You may need to break the site tower loose from the barrel by lightly tapping it with a brass or nylon hammer to get it to rotate as you move it forward. You can then replace the site tower with your choice of gas blocks.
 
I have different grades of ARs (4) and one is a low cost Plum Crazy with a JSE Surplus upper (Under $500 total) and for average shooting it's more than adequate...my goal was to have the least expensive one I could put together...I could upgrade the trigger and barrel, but that would defeat my primary purpose with the rifle..It puts a nice group at 50 yards with military hard ball ammo for plinking..

PCWorkoutA001.jpg

and produces nice groups with my handloads...

PCAR2.jpg


My others have various upgrades and that adds to the overall cost ($800-$1,400)...As stated above, removing the front sight is not a big deal...all of mine have optics of some form...
 
Just a thought on options, if you mount a scope 3 power or greater the sight tower will not show, if you want to run an EoTech you can sight the Optic in Simply by lining the dot up with a backup Iron sight and your front post (co witness) and if you are going to use your gun as a truck gun , house gun etc it is nice to be able to pull the scope (quick detachable mounts) and use irons.If it turns out you don't care for the setup it is simple to shave the sight and go over it with an appropriate length FFT or FFQR.
 


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