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Posted: 10/29/2015 9:32:27 PM EDT
| I have been looking at building the upper for my next rifle so I can get the handguard I want, but I have a few questions. Which manufacturers barrels are dimpled for set screw low pro gas blocks? I really like the ALG handguards, and I like that no torque wrench is needed. What vice blocks are you guys using? Anything else I need to know? |
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Don't worry about dimples for two reasons....
Gas blocks have varying set screw locations. A barrel dimpled for brand A may not work with brand B. Dimpling a barrel isn't hard, there are several videos on it. But to make it REALLY easy, you can buy a jig. Again, you need one to match the block you intend to use. For instance SLR offers one for their gas blocks. ETA: I like dimples, but there are many who say they're not needed. I think I have this vice block and it works well: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/210021/wheeler-engineering-delta-series-upper-receiver-vise-block-clamp-ar-15 Forgot to mention, for $10 Adco will dimple your barrel. https://www.adcofirearms.com/shopservices/shop_qnew.cfm?code=Dimple%20for%20gas%20Block I've never used ALG products, but their video looks good. Not having to use a torque wrench is nice, but aside from having to buy or borrow one, it's easy to use it. The best part of the ALG system I believe is that the barrel nut does not have to be timed to align for the gas tube to pass through. That can often be a real pain with traditional barrel nuts (and shims are the answer). ALG is not the only manufacturer with this advantage though. |
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Also, ADCO says that dimpling is unnecessary. I prefer the YHM clamp on gas block anyway. http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/462/462151.jpg This! Though I prefer the Vltor clamp-on gas block...its a little better design. You can also get Faxon barrels with factory pinned gas blocks from Aim Surplus. |
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This! Though I prefer the Vltor clamp-on gas block...its a little better design. You can also get Faxon barrels with factory pinned gas blocks from Aim Surplus. Quoted:
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Also, ADCO says that dimpling is unnecessary. I prefer the YHM clamp on gas block anyway. http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/462/462151.jpg This! Though I prefer the Vltor clamp-on gas block...its a little better design. You can also get Faxon barrels with factory pinned gas blocks from Aim Surplus. If the gas block was already pinned, I would just put the barrel nut on over the chamber end of the barrel before installing athe bareel into the upper? |
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If the gas block was already pinned, I would just put the barrel nut on over the chamber end of the barrel before installing athe bareel into the upper? Quoted:
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Also, ADCO says that dimpling is unnecessary. I prefer the YHM clamp on gas block anyway. http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/462/462151.jpg This! Though I prefer the Vltor clamp-on gas block...its a little better design. You can also get Faxon barrels with factory pinned gas blocks from Aim Surplus. If the gas block was already pinned, I would just put the barrel nut on over the chamber end of the barrel before installing athe bareel into the upper? Barrel nuts don't work like that, they can only go on from the muzzle end and torque against the shoulder of the barrel extension. my 12.5'' Faxon barrel came with the gas block uninstalled and in a package with the straight pin for it, its very simple to install. |
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Barrel nuts don't work like that, they can only go on from the muzzle end and torque against the shoulder of the barrel extension. my 12.5'' Faxon barrel came with the gas block uninstalled and in a package with the straight pin for it, its very simple to install. Quoted:
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Also, ADCO says that dimpling is unnecessary. I prefer the YHM clamp on gas block anyway. http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/462/462151.jpg This! Though I prefer the Vltor clamp-on gas block...its a little better design. You can also get Faxon barrels with factory pinned gas blocks from Aim Surplus. If the gas block was already pinned, I would just put the barrel nut on over the chamber end of the barrel before installing athe bareel into the upper? Barrel nuts don't work like that, they can only go on from the muzzle end and torque against the shoulder of the barrel extension. my 12.5'' Faxon barrel came with the gas block uninstalled and in a package with the straight pin for it, its very simple to install. Thanks. Where did you buy your barrel? |
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If the gas block was already pinned, I would just put the barrel nut on over the chamber end of the barrel before installing athe bareel into the upper? Quoted:
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Also, ADCO says that dimpling is unnecessary. I prefer the YHM clamp on gas block anyway. http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/462/462151.jpg This! Though I prefer the Vltor clamp-on gas block...its a little better design. You can also get Faxon barrels with factory pinned gas blocks from Aim Surplus. If the gas block was already pinned, I would just put the barrel nut on over the chamber end of the barrel before installing athe bareel into the upper? You would have to remove the pinned gas block to install the barrel nut. The pin is not held in with any type of glue, just friction like the bolt catch pin. If you will be using a standard barrel nut, someone like BA will have one that you can purchase and they can install it on the barrel before pinning the gas block. |
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Thanks. Where did you buy your barrel? Quoted:
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Also, ADCO says that dimpling is unnecessary. I prefer the YHM clamp on gas block anyway. http://media.midwayusa.com/productimages/880x660/Primary/462/462151.jpg This! Though I prefer the Vltor clamp-on gas block...its a little better design. You can also get Faxon barrels with factory pinned gas blocks from Aim Surplus. If the gas block was already pinned, I would just put the barrel nut on over the chamber end of the barrel before installing athe bareel into the upper? Barrel nuts don't work like that, they can only go on from the muzzle end and torque against the shoulder of the barrel extension. my 12.5'' Faxon barrel came with the gas block uninstalled and in a package with the straight pin for it, its very simple to install. Thanks. Where did you buy your barrel? Aim Surplus I believe is the only one selling the barrels with the pinned block for Faxon. |
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Thanks for the help guys. With the pinned block on the Faxon barrel would it be necessary to dimple for the set screws? Would you guys go with the Pencil barrel or the Govt/Socom profile? No need to dimple if the block is pinned on or has been pinned and removed like the Faxon barrels. I would also look at the new Ballastics Advantage Premium Pencil Wilde barrels. Per BA, they are supposed to be soft shooters. They are about $30 more than the Faxon though if you use the save10now code. I would like to try one out but I'm going to wait until one of the 20-25% off sales BA has. |
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I have a parts list, does this look good to you guys? Aero assembled upper (FA and dust cover installed) ALG EMR v2 MLOK 13" Faxon 16" barrel w pinned gas block (pencil or govt profile?) A2 flash hider Gas tube The barrel is a personal choice. If you want a really lightweight rifle, the pencil barrel is the way to go. But many run standard govt barrels and consider those light enough. I've used Bushmaster and Faxon pencil barrels and have never had a problem with them. They're more accurate than I am. They may drift a little bit when getting really hot from multiple mag dumps, but that wouldn't bother me. I'm primarily interested in the weight savings. Also, you can consider a 14.5" barrel and pin/weld your muzzle device. That will save you some weight too. But then you can't remove the gas block (and hence the barrel nut), so you'd be stuck with ALG rails. Many people choose this route. |
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I have a parts list, does this look good to you guys? Aero assembled upper (FA and dust cover installed) ALG EMR v2 MLOK 13" Faxon 16" barrel w pinned gas block (pencil or govt profile?) A2 flash hider Gas tube Looks good to me, I'd be tempted to throw in one of AIM Surplus Evo BCG when you order the barrel from them. as far as what profile to go with I prefer the socom but it's up to you. |
| I love my ALG rails. They're priced right, the fit and finish is excellent, they look great and feel great in hand and they're reasonably light weight. Installation is a bit unusual. While you don't use a torque wrench, you do need to use the proprietary wrench that comes with the rail and need to use some timing shims. Just be sure to read the instructions (and watch the video).....it's not a difficult install, but it can be tricky. |
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I have a parts list, does this look good to you guys? Aero assembled upper (FA and dust cover installed) ALG EMR v2 MLOK 13" Faxon 16" barrel w pinned gas block (pencil or govt profile?) A2 flash hider Gas tube Make sure the A2 flash hider comes with a crush washer. Some don't. It should state whether or not one is included. You might also consider ordering an extra gas tube roll pin just to be on the safe side. With tiny parts like that, I like to have extras on hand just in case one gets "misplaced". |
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