Front Sight Tower to Low Profile Gas Block. BCM

[speeddreamz]

Can anyone let me in on any issues I might have switching from a front sight tower to a low profile gas block?

I'm concerned that the front sight tower may be pinned?

Also, if I manage to punch out the screws holding it to the barrel, is the barrel typically notched? Will this cause any issues?

I've got the appropriate roll pin punches, a padded vise?

Which way do these things tap out? right to left or left to right (lets say the barrel is pointed down range and I'm standing behind it)

I will be throwing on a 12 railed free float.

[bender152]

First off, BCM FSB pins can be difficult to remove.
Read the thread here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_2_138/1...aper_Pins.html

Upon removing the FSB, you barrel will look like this:




Adding a low profile gas block will be cake, just slide on the gas block and screw down the set screws. But keep in mind that a standard length gas block will not cover both holes.

If you want something to cover the entire section, you'll need a longer gas block. Larue and some other companies make them.

[bender152]

I've got the appropriate roll pin punches, a padded vise?

Get yourself a heavy hammer and a heavy duty punch. Those suckers are in tight.

Which way do these things tap out? right to left or left to right (lets say the barrel is pointed down range and I'm standing behind it)

The pins are tapered, one side is larger than the other. If I remember correctly, they go out from left to right. (Double-check this first, it's been a while since I last did this.)

[speeddreamz]

First off, BCM FSB pins can be difficult to remove.
Read the thread here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_2_138/1...aper_Pins.html

Upon removing the FSB, you barrel will look like this:




Adding a low profile gas block will be cake, just slide on the gas block and screw down the set screws. But keep in mind that a standard length gas block will not cover both holes.

If you want something to cover the entire section, you'll need a longer gas block. Larue and some other companies make them.

I was afraid of them being a bear to remove (the taper pins).

I'm considering just buying a brand new barrel/receiver and starting from there.

Selling this one.

[strongpoint]

the taper pins aren't that hard to remove if you get the direction right. unfortunately, the direction isn't standard -- most are left-to-right, but mine was right-to-left. if you measure the ends carefully (or at least more carefully than i did at first), it's pretty obvious which way to go.

[pacrimguru]

it's a throw of the dice. sometimes the pins drift right out after giving them a good hard smack and sometimes they seem like they're seized in there.

make sure you have the barrel held down nice and solid (this helps A LOT: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2...HT_BENCH_BLOCK), make sure you're using the correct sized punch (this helps A LOT: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=2...ER_PIN_STARTER), give the pins a good hard hit with a heavy hammer from left to right. you may need to use a torch to heat the barrel/pins to help it along.

use the right tools and the job should go smoothly.

[speeddreamz]

wish me luck!