Quote History Originally Posted By AggiePhil:
If/when I can get this gas tube out, I guess I could upgrade to the new ferrule style, even with my older gas block? Also, do you think the tube is held in with Loctite or is it just the ferrule and pin?
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I'd be afraid to try to say whether the new ferrule would be compatible with your block... it will depend on the dimensions of ferrule/cut in the gas block.
On mine, there was no locktite/etc in the GB/tube/ferrule interface. The ferrule fit over the tube is loose until the ferrule is press fit into the block. This constricts it down and locks it up
tight. I don't think I'd have much chance of removing mine at all, much less without damage, without the tool.
My block is not open in the front though... if your block is ported all the way through, can you remove the retaining pin and then tap (who am I kidding?
HAMMER) the tube out the back of the gas block? (you might have said it doesn't line up this way). I think that would be your only hope if your ferrule is as tight as mine and has no exposed groove for the tool to grab.
The other issue I had was getting the gas block screws out... I believe they are Rocksett. An impact got two of them out and snapped the bit on the third. (I guess I should have soaked it, but I'll never understand why anyone wants to put Rocksett on tiny gas block retention screws that never come loose anyway) I couldn't recover it and ended up having to take it to a gunsmith to have it cut off and was then into the whole project for a gunsmith fee, AGB that didn't work, and a new stock gas block/ferrule/tool, just to end up exactly back where I started. $400 down the drain. I guess the moral of the story here is Larue locks this stuff up tight, so don't go ham on it without a good plan or you might end up like me.