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Posted: 1/19/2023 2:09:37 PM EDT
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Samson has a new take on the old AC-556 sbr front sight. Replaces only the top of the factory gas block. Attached File |
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I like the Samson folding stock but why would I use a gas block mounted front sight? It’s all downside: - If I ever remove or even retorque my gas block I’ve just screwed up the zero; and - I’m willingly accepting a shorter sight radius. Just to look cool? That’s stupid.  Something really useful would be a sling mount on the side of the gas block *without the stupid sight* in order to avoid the current work rounds we are stuck with. And I’d really prefer to have the swivel on the lower gas block, not the upper. .jpg?width=590&height=590&fit=bounds) .jpg?width=590&height=590&fit=bounds)
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Not trying to argue about this but I'm trying to figure out the reason for it. The only purpose I can see for this product is to provide a front sight if you have a non-threaded barrel threaded. I have never thought to myself "I'd sure like the front sight on the gas block and not at the end of the barrel" |
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Originally Posted By TrailerTrash556: Not trying to argue about this but I'm trying to figure out the reason for it. The only purpose I can see for this product is to provide a front sight if you have a non-threaded barrel threaded. I have never thought to myself "I'd sure like the front sight on the gas block and not at the end of the barrel" This is a modernized copy of the original Ruger short barreled AC556 front sight. There wouldn't be any good reason to use it on a 16" or 18" barreled rifle. |
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Originally Posted By BPR: This is a modernized copy of the original Ruger short barreled AC556 front sight. There wouldn't be any good reason to use it on a 16" or 18" barreled rifle. I see now. I've seen pictures of the AC556 and even seen one in person but I never noticed the short barrel and lack of barrel mounted sight 
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Originally Posted By DakotaFAL: I like the Samson folding stock but why would I use a gas block mounted front sight? It's all downside: - If I ever remove or even retorque my gas block I've just screwed up the zero; and - I'm willingly accepting a shorter sight radius. Just to look cool? That's stupid. https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/h470/SDBB57/IMG_1225.HEIC?width=590&height=590&fit=bounds Something really useful would be a sling mount on the side of the gas block *without the stupid sight* in order to avoid the current work rounds we are stuck with. And I'd really prefer to have the swivel on the lower gas block, not the upper. https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/h470/SDBB57/001(67).jpg?width=590&height=590&fit=bounds https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/h470/SDBB57/001(63).jpg?width=590&height=590&fit=bounds |
Promoted to Member by Ed, Sr.
| A lower gas block with a machined QD limited rotation sling hole would be nice. In fact, have them on both sides, and on the bottom. A thicker steel top would be ideal, too. Yes, thicker alloy tops are available, but I’d prefer steel. As far as the struts. All my Minis are 584 series, so I don’t need one, but I know some users have had their struts loosen up even after using red Loctite. I’d recommend Rockset or similar which can take the heat. |
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Originally Posted By LIONHART: A lower gas block with a machined QD limited rotation sling hole would be nice. In fact, have them on both sides, and on the bottom. A thicker steel top would be ideal, too. Yes, thicker alloy tops are available, but I'd prefer steel. As far as the struts. All my Minis are 584 series, so I don't need one, but I know some users have had their struts loosen up even after using red Loctite. I'd recommend Rockset or similar which can take the heat. It's basically a situation that is easily and inexpensively overcome by most folks. Waiting for some mfr to make the "ideal" sling attachment gas block overlooks more affordable and likely better alternatives. YMMV. |
Promoted to Member by Ed, Sr.
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Originally Posted By raf: I think you make some excellent points about re-producing a lower gas block with a side-mounted sling loop, preferably a 1-1/4" loop. The only thing I would add is that the "new" side-sling lower gas block should be compatible with barrel struts such as the Accu Strut and others. Folks with a Mini-30 (always had a "heavy barrel"), and the folks with later Mini-14s which have the "heavy Barrel" are not likely to need such struts, but for owners of early Mini-14s (with "Pencil Barrel") the dual clamp barrel struts are a valuable aid to accuracy, going on essential. Originally Posted By raf: I think you make some excellent points about re-producing a lower gas block with a side-mounted sling loop, preferably a 1-1/4" loop. The only thing I would add is that the "new" side-sling lower gas block should be compatible with barrel struts such as the Accu Strut and others. Folks with a Mini-30 (always had a "heavy barrel"), and the folks with later Mini-14s which have the "heavy Barrel" are not likely to need such struts, but for owners of early Mini-14s (with "Pencil Barrel") the dual clamp barrel struts are a valuable aid to accuracy, going on essential. All my Minis are pencil barrel rifles and all of them have the short SOCOM single clamp Accu Strut. I don’t think the second strut adds much more stiffness. But I agree any after market gas block should be compatible with an AccuStrut. Originally Posted By LIONHART: A lower gas block with a machined QD limited rotation sling hole would be nice. In fact, have them on both sides, and on the bottom. A thicker steel top would be ideal, too. Yes, thicker alloy tops are available, but I’d prefer steel. As far as the struts. All my Minis are 584 series, so I don’t need one, but I know some users have had their struts loosen up even after using red Loctite. I’d recommend Rockset or similar which can take the heat. I milled divots into the gas block for the ends of the Allen screws to sit in. It gives you another couple threads of engagement and a much more solid installation. Locktite 272 is good to 450 degrees F. That’s about where wood starts to slowly char. Loctite 2422 (yes there’s an extra 2) is good to 650 degrees F. That’s only 50 degrees short of where wood bursts into flames almost immediately. Originally Posted By raf: Most Mini users overcome this non-issue by installing short pic-rails onto the sides of the stock fore end. This allows attachment of pic-rail mounted sling attachments as well as other things, such as lights and so forth. It's basically a situation that is easily and inexpensively overcome by most folks. Waiting for some mfr to make the "ideal" sling attachment gas block overlooks more affordable and likely better alternatives. YMMV. You’ll note a couple of low cost options used in my prior post, including a piece of 550 cord. It doesn’t get much cheaper than that, and it’s a practice that dates back to the Colt XM177E2 and attaching a general purpose sling. I don’t think anyone is just waiting around. But some folks still prefer a more elegant solution and one in line with what was done in the past with the side folding Ruger Mini 14. Your comment is also a bit ironic on an AR-15 site, given the wide range of aftermarket solutions for various needs and issues with a number of options that involve only very minor differences. Shooters wanting a gas block with an actual provision for a side mounted sling isn’t any different. |
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Originally Posted By DakotaFAL: All my Minis are pencil barrel rifles and all of them have the short SOCOM single clamp Accu Strut. I don't think the second strut adds much more stiffness. But I agree any after market gas block should be compatible with an AccuStrut. I milled divots into the gas block for the ends of the Allen screws to sit in. It gives you another couple threads of engagement and a much more solid installation. Locktite 272 is good to 450 degrees F. That's about where wood starts to slowly char. Loctite 2422 (yes there's an extra 2) is good to 650 degrees F. That's only 50 degrees short of where wood bursts into flames almost immediately. You'll note a couple of low cost options used in my prior post, including a piece of 550 cord. It doesn't get much cheaper than that, and it's a practice that dates back to the Colt XM177E2 and attaching a general purpose sling. I don't think anyone is just waiting around. But some folks still prefer a more elegant solution and one in line with what was done in the past with the side folding Ruger Mini 14. Your comment is also a bit ironic on an AR-15 site, given the wide range of aftermarket solutions for various needs and issues with a number of options that involve only very minor differences. Shooters wanting a gas block with an actual provision for a side mounted sling isn't any different. Originally Posted By DakotaFAL: Originally Posted By raf: I think you make some excellent points about re-producing a lower gas block with a side-mounted sling loop, preferably a 1-1/4" loop. The only thing I would add is that the "new" side-sling lower gas block should be compatible with barrel struts such as the Accu Strut and others. Folks with a Mini-30 (always had a "heavy barrel"), and the folks with later Mini-14s which have the "heavy Barrel" are not likely to need such struts, but for owners of early Mini-14s (with "Pencil Barrel") the dual clamp barrel struts are a valuable aid to accuracy, going on essential. All my Minis are pencil barrel rifles and all of them have the short SOCOM single clamp Accu Strut. I don't think the second strut adds much more stiffness. But I agree any after market gas block should be compatible with an AccuStrut. Originally Posted By LIONHART: A lower gas block with a machined QD limited rotation sling hole would be nice. In fact, have them on both sides, and on the bottom. A thicker steel top would be ideal, too. Yes, thicker alloy tops are available, but I'd prefer steel. As far as the struts. All my Minis are 584 series, so I don't need one, but I know some users have had their struts loosen up even after using red Loctite. I'd recommend Rockset or similar which can take the heat. I milled divots into the gas block for the ends of the Allen screws to sit in. It gives you another couple threads of engagement and a much more solid installation. Locktite 272 is good to 450 degrees F. That's about where wood starts to slowly char. Loctite 2422 (yes there's an extra 2) is good to 650 degrees F. That's only 50 degrees short of where wood bursts into flames almost immediately. Originally Posted By raf: Most Mini users overcome this non-issue by installing short pic-rails onto the sides of the stock fore end. This allows attachment of pic-rail mounted sling attachments as well as other things, such as lights and so forth. It's basically a situation that is easily and inexpensively overcome by most folks. Waiting for some mfr to make the "ideal" sling attachment gas block overlooks more affordable and likely better alternatives. YMMV. You'll note a couple of low cost options used in my prior post, including a piece of 550 cord. It doesn't get much cheaper than that, and it's a practice that dates back to the Colt XM177E2 and attaching a general purpose sling. I don't think anyone is just waiting around. But some folks still prefer a more elegant solution and one in line with what was done in the past with the side folding Ruger Mini 14. Your comment is also a bit ironic on an AR-15 site, given the wide range of aftermarket solutions for various needs and issues with a number of options that involve only very minor differences. Shooters wanting a gas block with an actual provision for a side mounted sling isn't any different. "The single-clamp Socom was developed in response to sustained customer request for a shorter, more compact strut. It is already known that the double-clamp configuration is greatly superior for stabilizing a rifle barrel. As such, there is less certainty that the Socom model will provide any measure of accurization at all, although it does happen. In the frequent instances that no improvement is seen, the benefit is mainly ornamental. In any case, our Socom model continues to sell very well." You did offer some reasonable alternatives for a front sling attachment point. Thing is that pic rails mounted on sides of rifle's fore-end allow for a wider range of attachment types and attachment points, not to mention the option of mounting light etc. What I meant to say is that there are reasonable alternatives available now (including yours), instead of waiting for someone to make a replica of the original Ruger lower gas block. Hopefully the makers of the "new" replica gas block with side sling attachment point will make it with a 1-1/4" sling loop. IIRC, original Ruger item had a 1" loop. |
Promoted to Member by Ed, Sr.
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