Barrel Change

[mlevans66]

I have a Adams Arms 5.56 14.5" Midlength Tactical Elite ( See Below link)

http://www.adamsarms.net/details.asp?sku=UA-14.5-M-TE-556

and I want to change the barrel to that of a Adams Arms 16" MidLength Fluted Barrel
(also see below link)

http://www.riflegear.com/p-1323-adams-arms-16-midlength-fluted-barrel.aspx

Yes I am taking it to a skilled gunsmith and I was wondering do I need to get another gas/piston block? I had heard that those pined to barrels will only work on that barrel. Is this a truth or can I just switch the barrel and be done with it? Thanks for the info and for the record I just got tired of the 14inch and decided to go another route. I like the AA but I want a longer barrel on it and it's cheaper to do this then buy another upper.

[CRTguns]

the gas block does need to be ponned to the barrel. Can't stay put with just a set screw. When transplanting an existing GB to a new barrel, even a skilled guy cannot reliably and safely hit the holes on the new barrel to line up right with the gas block. Better to just use a se screw to locate the gb, then make two new holes for the taper pins. iirc, the adams GB has plenty of real estate for this. If you're using a long handguard, you'll not see the scars.

Some might say they can hit the holes to match- I say BS. Sure- locating the hole on center- easy. Drilling pilot with an endmill, no big deal. Convincing a little taper reamer to only cut one side... not your average day at work.

I;ve done this in a way that cannot be seen. You just put the "ends" on the taper pins in the holes to look good. The GB is held inplace by some specially made screw/pin that comes in the bottom.

You can do this with something like a 1/4x32 that has its business end turned down to a small registry- like .1" that will engage a hole reamed thought GB into BBL.

[kcstott]

As CRT said the gas block can be reused just can't use the same holes.
There is no way anyone can make a reamer cut on one side. Doing it that way the reamer will cut into the softer material first Which is the gas block and now you have a oblong hole.

Do it like CRT said drill and ream new holes to pin it then use the end of the old pins to hide existing holes.

[mlevans66]

the gas block does need to be ponned to the barrel. Can't stay put with just a set screw. When transplanting an existing GB to a new barrel, even a skilled guy cannot reliably and safely hit the holes on the new barrel to line up right with the gas block. Better to just use a se screw to locate the gb, then make two new holes for the taper pins. iirc, the adams GB has plenty of real estate for this. If you're using a long handguard, you'll not see the scars.

Some might say they can hit the holes to match- I say BS. Sure- locating the hole on center- easy. Drilling pilot with an endmill, no big deal. Convincing a little taper reamer to only cut one side... not your average day at work.

I;ve done this in a way that cannot be seen. You just put the "ends" on the taper pins in the holes to look good. The GB is held inplace by some specially made screw/pin that comes in the bottom.

You can do this with something like a 1/4x32 that has its business end turned down to a small registry- like .1" that will engage a hole reamed thought GB into BBL.

As CRT said the gas block can be reused just can't use the same holes.
There is no way anyone can make a reamer cut on one side. Doing it that way the reamer will cut into the softer material first Which is the gas block and now you have a oblong hole.

Do it like CRT said drill and ream new holes to pin it then use the end of the old pins to hide existing holes.

Thank you both for the info but let me see if I get this right. The gunsmith is going to need to drill need hole. BY hole you mean in the barrel right? If so then that will not be a problem seeing as how it's a new barrel and all.