Been lurking for quite awhile, and gained enough knowledge to build several AR's. I am changing out the hand guard, muzzle brake, and shaving the FSB on a S&W M&P-15 for a friend of mine. I know the taper pins are backwards from standard, and may require quite a bit of force to remove. I've beat on the pins with steel punches, and no good. I'd like to find a smith near Birmingham that could just punch the pins for me, preferably while I wait.

Nevermind, found someone after many phone calls.

Yeah, taper pins are a major pain sometimes.

There are a few good resources on here if you still need someone.

The biggest issue I was running into yesterday was finding a smith that was actually working. Alabama Training Institute is down the street from where I work. Called them at lunch and asked if they had a smith. I was told he wasn't in yet. I drove there after work, and he doesn't work on Mondays. Called several other places, trying to stay on the east side of town, and finally ended up going to BPW. At least the price was right. I'll go home tonight and shave the gas block, and bring it into work in the morning to spray it.

ETA: tried using the search, but it doesn't search hometown threads

Yeah, search is kinda wonky.

In the future, you can know that Hoover Tactical has a guy on here and a top notch gunsmith on staff (not just ARs too, the guy is amazing in what he can do on repairs and such for other guns. a true craftsman).

TS Arms in Pelham is also on here, and they are more than capable for anything you need for ARs.

And, as you found out, BPW is out there in Trussville.

There are all kinds of folks around here in the gun business.

TS arms is a great bunch.  They are on my side of the mountain and i buy small parts there.    They won't pin a lo pro gas block so they really aren't capable for everything ar15.