Gas Block?

[SHTFplz]

I'm looking to redesign my AR-15 with a free-float tube (not that I 100% agree with them, it just suits the look I'm going for). I need to remove the standard front sight post and replace it with a gas block. But my question is, what is a good gas block? I was looking at Brownells Modular AR-15/M4 gas block, the one with the picatinny rails, but a lot of the reviews I read said that the metal it was made with was kind of cheap. They also said that it slipped down the barrel a bit after firing.

Bottom line: I need good gas block recommendations! Please.


P.S. Related experience only please.

[rareair]

I like the design of the JD Machine gas block. Easy on the wallet too @ $65

[AfisBoy]

Will the float tube cover the gas block? If so, the low profile Yankee Hill worked just fine for me. It was around 35 bucks.

[kahai808]

if you want low pro i used, Troy Low Pro Gas Block.

[killshot44]

If you don't mind paying extra, get one with a clamp rather than one that pins to the barrel. No pressure put on the barrel.

Nothing mysterious about how Free Floaters work. They do.

[tomd1584]

Daniel Defense low pro gas blocks are good.

[captbilly]

What do you mean "you don't agree with free float tubes"?

I suppose that given enough time I could come up with some downside to a free float tube, but everything else being equal you would always want a free float tube over a not free floating barrel. The whole idea behind the free float tube is to keep any variable pressure off of the barrel so that your point of impact doesn't vary with the same sight point of aim. Without a free float tube your aimpoint will change depending on how you hold the handguard, or how much pressure you do or don't put on the handguard when you rest the rifle on a sand bag or tree branch. I actually do have one AR with a standard handguard but that was simply because I wanted one totally basic and cheap AR for plinking. All my other AR's have free float tubes, and I cannot see a downside to them.

[NewbieDave]

I've used non-free floated AR15 since the late 80s... unless you're planning on putting holes into quarters at 100 yards, free floating doesn't really effect over-all accuracy of the AR system. Especially if you're planning on just using a RDS.

While I have both floated and non-floated barrel, I feel the market-hype have sold more free-floated foreend then the science of accuracy in the AR system. I feel having a good barrel goes way farther in the accuracy department over a floated barrel. I've been on the firing-line where standard M16A2s was used to great effect out to 100 yds on a standard human silhouette target.

Just my 2 cent.


~dpc

[OutbreakPLZ]

The whole idea behind the free float tube is to keep any variable pressure off of the barrel so that your point of impact doesn't vary with the same sight point of aim. Without a free float tube your aimpoint will change depending on how you hold the handguard, or how much pressure you do or don't put on the handguard when you rest the rifle on a sand bag or tree branch. I actually do have one AR with a standard handguard but that was simply because I wanted one totally basic and cheap AR for plinking. All my other AR's have free float tubes, and I cannot see a downside to them.

beautifully said. all about pressure and weight manipulating the force and trajectory. as far as gas blocks
TROY low pro
KAC low pro
YHM low pro
and ya the guy above is right , the clamped ones do not apply pressure but that prolly wudnt matter to ppl like me and you.
FREE FLOAT OR DIE!! delta rings are for N00bz! lulul..

[SHTFplz]

The whole idea behind the free float tube is to keep any variable pressure off of the barrel so that your point of impact doesn't vary with the same sight point of aim.

That's why I do not 100% agree with them. The reason I say that is because the bend in your barrel (if any) would be so slight, that I doubt there's much of a difference in the effective range of a .223 round. And if your barrel is bending any more than that, you've got bigger problems.

I'm not an incredibly experienced shooter or anything, far from it in fact. But just trying to rationalize it in my mind, your barrel should not be bending. You should have it tightened. Or stop sitting on your gun. Or, don't by rubber.


I think it's all a big myth that got exploited to get people to pay more money. Until someone shows me some good proof (at least 2 or 3 youtube videos), the only reason I'll be buying a free float is for looks.

Thanks for all the info on the gas blocks btw guys, I completely forgot I made this thread.

[jumbopanda]

That's why I do not 100% agree with them. The reason I say that is because the bend in your barrel (if any) would be so slight, that I doubt there's much of a difference in the effective range of a .223 round. And if your barrel is bending any more than that, you've got bigger problems.

I'm not an incredibly experienced shooter or anything, far from it in fact. But just trying to rationalize it in my mind, your barrel should not be bending. You should have it tightened. Or stop sitting on your gun. Or, don't by rubber.


I think it's all a big myth that got exploited to get people to pay more money. Until someone shows me some good proof (at least 2 or 3 youtube videos), the only reason I'll be buying a free float is for looks.

Thanks for all the info on the gas blocks btw guys, I completely forgot I made this thread.

It's very well established that free floating a barrel does make a difference in accuracy. Sure, it's only noticeable if you're a skilled shooter and you have to use quality ammo as well, but the difference is there.