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Posted: 7/16/2004 11:47:36 AM EDT
| Okay I read Falarak's tacked faq on how to change the barrel, but not the 3-4 pages of endless discussion on barrel vise vs. action block. That was a great faq Fal but I need to know how to change a standard A2 front sight base to a Gas Block with a rail like a RRA or DPMS or something like. Do I need to just buy a Varmint upper and machine the barrel down or is it possible to change the gas block/FSB without incuring a lot of shop expense? |
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If all you want to do is remove the A2 front sight tower and replace it with a clamp-style railed gas block... Make sure you either have no muzzle attachment, or remove it to get the FST off. Make sure the new gas block has the same inner diameter as the outer diameter of your barrel at the gas block. Drive out the roll pin holding the gas tube in the old gas block. Drive out the two pins in the bottom of the front sight tower front L to R. Tap the FST gently and it will come off the front of the barrel. Replace the gas tube in the new gas block with the roll pin, and replace the new gas block onto the barrel, secure in place. -z |
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Aligning it vertically (that is, timing it) is pretty easy. You can use a pen to draw a line on the barrel in line with the hole, and you can make a mark on the gas block even with its hole with it off the barrel. Then just line them up. Alternatively, you can level the top of the new gas block rail with the receiver flat-top rail. This is a real good idea if you're planning to mount a fixed or BUIS on the new gas block rail. Then, to get the horizonital position correct, you need to leave enough space between the gas block and the barrel shoulder for where the thing steel handguard cap would usually go.. about the thickness or two business cards from the bbl shoulder. You can be off a little bit and the gun will still run fine. -z |
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Unless you are actually going to clamp something on that gasblock, here is something that is so easy, and looks pretty cool (in my opinion)... Get a hacksaw, and carefully cut off the front sight. Then finish file it nice and clean. Paint the exposed steel with spray paint. I think I used a C-clamp to hold things steady. Simple, looks good. Pete |
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