For some folks, today’s subject is tricky to pin down, but don’t worry! Brownells Gun Tech™ Caleb Savant shows us how to remove the pins from an AR-15 front sight gas block assembly. The task sounds simple, and really it is. But if you don’t do it correctly, you can damage the gas block or the barrel. The pins go all the way through the gas block and through a channel cut in the exterior of the barrel. The channel anchors them to prevent the gas block from shifting under recoil. The pins are tapered, so they go in and out only ONE way. You push them out from the SMALL side.
TOOLS FOR THE JOB: Safety glasses, of course! The Brownells AR-15 Bench Block is super handy in protecting both the gun and your workbench top from damage. One side is for removing the gas block pins and the other is for installing them. Caleb has his handy set of Starrett punches, though only two sizes are needed for this job. A brass-nylon head gunsmith’s hammer is a little light for this task. Caleb prefers a standard ballpeen with a little more heft to it.
FIRST CRACK: Press the barrel and front sight gas block into the “PINS OUT” cutout on the bench block. To apply as much mass and energy to the pin as possible, use your largest punch. The ends of the pins are rounded, so a small punch will slip off and ding the gas block or the barrel. Hold the tip of that big punch securely on the pin, making sure the punch isn’t touching any portion of the gas block. Hit the punch with the hammer until the pin’s tip is flush with the surface of the surrounding metal.
THE REST OF THE WAY: Get a smaller punch that matches the diameter of the pin. (Caleb is using a 1/8″ punch.) Tap it lightly with the hammer until the pin drops out. Because the pin is tapered, it will move more freely the farther you push it. The gas block should be pretty loose. You may need to wiggle it a bit to fully break contact and slide it off the barrel.
TURNABOUT = FAIR PLAY: The installation steps go in the opposite order, except you’ll need only the large punch. Putting the pins in is easier than taking them out.
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If you want a link to every too used, go check out this video in the Trigger Times section of our webpage! Oh also, no I do not like using cup tipped punches for this task, I find that they do not transfer enough energy to do this effectively on the more stubborn pins you sometimes run into.
How much does it normally cost to have someone put a free-float gas blocks system on an AR-15 Smith & Wesson
Awesome, thanks…… is that an AT4 in the safe? Lol.
Nice job on this one, I mean " this one". Now try the other ones that the pins were pressed through in the factory such as Adams Arms gas block and Olympic Arms.
Excellent review, outstanding thanks Caleb.
The mystery has been solved!
a pinned FSP is my favorite gasblock
Heat it and beat it
I really need a safe with a AT4 as well!
Now i just bought a retro barrel from you guys (brownells) and the front site is very canted to the right side! Now i ordered new pins and was going to try to remove the old pins and straighten the front site block. I tried what your doing and was beating the you know what out of them and they will not budge, and yes im driving them out the right way, do you have any helpful ideas?? Please help! Thanks
Every one needs a brass hammer copper hammer lead hammer is Riley handy for me.
brass ball pen hammer, brass punch or steel punch if needed
..you can hear as well as feel the pin moving…
..buy the front sight block from Brownells…like I did…
And here I was breaking out the cutting torch.
If you want the maximum amount of energy to go into the pin, then you need to use the lightest punch; you don't have to move that mass as well at the mass of the pin.
College physics strikes again.
Awesome, Caleb! You made that look easy bro. Nice video. Thanks.
Do you have to take the barrel off to remove the gas block and install another one? Can the whole thing be done with everything else still assembled?
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Got my own rhythm ( -_･) ︻╦̵̵͇̿̿̿̿══╤─ ▸▸▸▸▸Get a 🧠 Vote 2A
Hey Caleb! I changed my front sight gas block to a low profile gas block, but now I have a ring of unfinished metal around where the FSGB used to be. I was wondering if there was a way to get that little ring to match the finish of the rest of the barrel, or if it even really matters, I noticed that it does kind of gather rust a little faster that any other part on my gun. Thanks!
Thanks that's a good tidbit I don't work on them much but if I need it I will know thanks again
I know one you won't get out with a punch…unless they've changed their process….
CMMG, they hydrologically press the pins in and they are not Tapered like normal pins. In case you are wondering, I got that from them. A video I did along time ago I broke 3 punches before I called them. I had to cut the A2 block off or send it to them…
I have a specifically cut block of wood I put under the chamber end of the barrel to stabilize it…because it is a pain fighting it…as a rule of thumb, after you get one out the other is a piece of cake…usually.
Yeah…I definitely tried at one point to remove a BCM pinned front sight post and…failed.
Use a gas block pin punch with the special shaped punch end that keeps the pin from mushrooming and follow Caleb’s instructions and use a solid surface to bang on.
How come Brownell's is always out of stock for a majority of their items.😢
Is OK to reuse the same taper pins , or should you always use new pins ?
i love your haircut
Good morning America!
always enjoy the vids. Thank you…
Excellent
This guy is like the Bob Ross of firearms.
Great stuff! Subscribed. 🤠👍
Good stuff
My question is are these pin positions standardized. I have a ban era AR without a bayonet lug and an AR pistol with one. If I remove these two can I swap them and put them on the opposite firearms? Both have .750 gas block areas
Sabre defense pins are backwards….they made really nice barrels
Third time I've subscribed to y'all
Thanks for another great video
Unless you have a smith and wesson then they're red loctited and hammered down on both sides…
I didn't need to watch this for my rifle because they fell out on their own. I had to order 2 because I lost them somewhere somehow