Cutting front sight to make low profile?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Cutting front sight to make low profile?

Posted: 2/22/2014 12:01:10 PM EDT

Just wondering on opinions on doing this? I have 13" Troy rail to cover. Its either this or a budget low profile gas block. I like the idea of being abble to pin it back on and not using a gas block with screws. Suggestions welcome on the gas block

Posted: 2/22/2014 12:25:34 PM EDT

[#1]

Angle grinder, cold blue, and a little patience.

Posted: 2/22/2014 12:35:00 PM EDT

[#2]

I do have a saw and a bench grinder to smooth it out. The reason I ask is because I was at a shop yesterday and they were talking a bunch of crap about doing it.

Posted: 2/22/2014 1:22:54 PM EDT

[#3]

I plan on cutting one of mine either today or tomorrow and installing a Troy 13" Alpha rail (over the DD LW16" mid). Plenty of FSBs have been chopped and it makes one of the most solid gas blocks you can have.

Posted: 2/22/2014 1:25:59 PM EDT

[#4]

I cut mine with a dremel so it would fit under a DD Omega rail.

go for it, but as others have said, be patient and use the cold blue.

Posted: 2/22/2014 1:26:32 PM EDT

[#5]

Nothing wrong with it, if the posers at the local shop want to make fun of you that's their problem. People pay good money to have gas blocks drilled and pinned. All you need is a hack saw, a file and some high temp black paint. You don't even have to remove it from the barrel, just put it in a vise and go to work. I've done several over the last few years, never had a bad result.

Posted: 2/22/2014 1:42:04 PM EDT

[#6]

Any extras out there let me know as I want to do one on my flat top.

Posted: 2/22/2014 1:53:18 PM EDT

[#7]

It's an easy task, nothing wrong with doing it

If you look around here on the site, you'll find plenty of people who have done it with nothing more than a Dremel.

Posted: 2/22/2014 2:09:07 PM EDT

[#8]

I just finished this exact task last weekend. I also have the 13" Alpha rail and just make sure you grind enough to fit. The inside diameter is quite small and requires a couple test fits to be sure it wont touch or hang up. These are the steps I used and it went smooth and looks like it came from the factory:

1. Used hacksaw to cut of sling swivel, bayonet lug, and sight post (take your time and draw lines with a crayon or something and you can get it close for less grinding)
2. Used a cheap bench grinder to smooth out and finalize shape and contours (do a bit at a time and monitor your progress as there is no going back if you go too far)
3. Used Perma Blue to touch up areas that were now exposed metal (3 coats and it looks like it came that way from the factory)

This is just what worked for me and if you can get your hands on a bench grinder it will cut the time drastically from using a dremel. Just take your time and pay attention and it is an easy task. Good Luck!

Posted: 2/23/2014 4:25:36 AM EDT

[#9]

Quote History

Quoted:
I do have a saw and a bench grinder to smooth it out. The reason I ask is because I was at a shop yesterday and they were talking a bunch of crap about doing it.

View Quote

Typical gun store bs.

A pinned A2 fsb is the best potential lo pro sight available.

Unique to its own barrel and a perfect fit.

Posted: 2/23/2014 6:40:43 AM EDT

[#10]

I'd choose a chopped down, pinned in place fsb over a set screw/clamp on anyday. I did a few of my rifles this way. I used a cutting wheel in a Milwaukee grinder to cut of the top and the swivel/bayo lug below. Then I used a grinding wheel to smooth it out. Next came the dremel to smooth out all the edges. Then I hit them with high temp black paint.

They fit find under a Troy Alpha rail, a DD Lite, and an Apex (308).

Posted: 2/23/2014 6:53:10 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
I do have a saw and a bench grinder to smooth it out. The reason I ask is because I was at a shop yesterday and they were talking a bunch of crap about doing it.

View Quote

I did mine with a Dremel. Take your time and touch it up with some cold blue when finished.

Posted: 2/23/2014 4:55:48 PM EDT

[#12]

Thank You Everyone. Has been chopped and rail installed.

Posted: 2/23/2014 4:59:47 PM EDT

[#13]

I did mine and then hit it with some high temp paint. A lot cheaper and probably more secure than an aftermarket gas block.

Posted: 2/23/2014 5:48:14 PM EDT

[#14]

I used some paint for a grill since i already had it. Would have been nicer if I had some proper tools but I happy to have it installed.

Posted: 3/1/2014 2:49:56 AM EDT

[#15]

Anyone know if grinding down my FSP will allow clearance for a 13" Troy BRAVO rail? I, too, have the same problem with a pinned/welded FH.

Posted: 3/1/2014 3:20:18 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
Anyone know if grinding down my FSP will allow clearance for a 13" Troy BRAVO rail? I, too, have the same problem with a pinned/welded FH.

View Quote

Yes it will. I did exactly the same thing with the same rail on my BCM middy.

Posted: 3/1/2014 8:26:23 AM EDT

[#17]

I've done a few. Easy to do if you have some tools and a little patience.

Posted: 3/1/2014 9:02:46 AM EDT

[#18]

IMO cutting the fsb is the way to go. Its free, you know its going to be secure, and a different project than bolting something on. You get the feeling that you actually built it and not just pressing "add to cart". My LGS told me i should i never cut my fsb...like its some collectible item. I walked out, cut it up 5 minutes later.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o296/skd_88/8F769C63-D591-44DB-A45D-EE7202E19785_zps721oijpr.jpg

Posted: 3/1/2014 10:22:31 AM EDT

[#19]

The local guys just wanted to talk you into buying a new gas block from them.

Posted: 3/1/2014 1:20:44 PM EDT

[#20]

I've done it. You can do a nicer job if you remove it first.
I used a Dremel, Bench grinder, Emory cloth, Oxi blue from Brownells.
Edit; I might have used a Hack Saw. Done more than one.

Posted: 3/1/2014 3:12:50 PM EDT

[#21]

Personally, I would respect a person more if they had a cut down front sight over a low profile factory gas block. Putting on a factory gas block is simple, but cutting one down takes time and effort. Don't listen to the idiots at your shop.

Posted: 3/1/2014 5:07:25 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
Personally, I would respect a person more if they had a cut down front sight over a low profile factory gas block. Putting on a factory gas block is simple, but cutting one down takes time and effort. Don't listen to the idiots at your shop.

View Quote

Exactly. IMO people who put in the little bit of extra effort to cut their fsb appreciate it for what it can be (or are that cheap

), compared to people who spend $ because its easier. I like having a feeling of accomplishment no matter how small the project is. Next step is to take down my barrel profile on my lathe...

Posted: 3/1/2014 5:12:51 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:

I do have a saw and a bench grinder to smooth it out. The reason I ask is because I was at a shop yesterday and they were talking a bunch of crap about doing it.

View Quote

Then they're idiots. Taper pins are the most secure way to connect the gas block/fsb to the barrel. Whether it makes a difference, I have no idea. All I know is its practically free if you own the barrel and some tools and is sure not to move.

I did mine with a dremel and some hand files and it turned out pretty good. Not as great as the one above, but I'm not embarrassed to say I did it myself.

Posted: 3/1/2014 5:32:37 PM EDT

[#24]

if it serves its purpose then who cares what it looks like.

Posted: 3/1/2014 6:19:17 PM EDT

[#25]

^^^ exactly!!!

Posted: 3/1/2014 7:48:28 PM EDT

[#26]

Quote History

Quoted:
if it serves its purpose then who cares what it looks like.

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I sure would. I take pride in my work. So I care what stuff I work on looks like.
Having been a T&D Maker for over 30 years. Tends to make one a "Picky Bitch"

Posted: 3/2/2014 9:18:33 AM EDT

[#27]

Quote History

Quoted:

I sure would. I take pride in my work. So I care what stuff I work on looks like.
Having been a T&D Maker for over 30 years. Tends to make one a "Picky Bitch"

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
if it serves its purpose then who cares what it looks like.

I sure would. I take pride in my work. So I care what stuff I work on looks like.
Having been a T&D Maker for over 30 years. Tends to make one a "Picky Bitch"

You know the idea I was trying to get across. I was comparing how people "look down" on this because we cut it up and didnt buy a low pro for $40+ I am beyond picky when it comes to machining, I guess on this i didnt really care..

Now that I think about its getting to me. time for a re-do

Posted: 3/2/2014 10:03:23 AM EDT

[#28]

The only negative is if you ever want to go back to the fsb, as I want to do. Yes, I can get a new one and get it pinned but it's just not worth the cost.

Posted: 3/2/2014 10:12:33 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
I've done a few. Easy to do if you have some tools and a little patience.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Nickel_Gas_Block.jpg

View Quote

This gas block shave down is BAD ASS. -W

Posted: 3/2/2014 10:16:54 AM EDT

[#30]

"I was at a shop yesterday and they were talking a bunch of crap about doing it."

Keep in mind that a shop makes its money by selling things and services......................

Posted: 3/2/2014 11:17:01 AM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

This gas block shave down is BAD ASS. -W

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've done a few. Easy to do if you have some tools and a little patience.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/Nickel_Gas_Block.jpg

This gas block shave down is BAD ASS. -W

Bright nickel plated to match the polished SS barrel. My local decorative chrome shop did it. Its the step just before the final chrome layer would be applied.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Cutting front sight to make low profile?

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