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Posted: 11/24/2012 11:35:46 AM EDT
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I ordered a Troy Alpha Rail for my Colt LE6920 and I was originally just going to shave the FSB down but now I'm thinking that just sounds like a bunch of extra work, when I can just buy one. Plus I could sell the FSB and offset some of the cost.
I was looking at the different kind/brands of gas blocks and I think I will go with this one unless you think something else will be better?? I also wanted to make sure this would work with my Colt? http://yhm.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_6&products_id=41 Thanks for the help, Mac |
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Quoted:
I ordered a Troy Alpha Rail for my Colt LE6920 and I was originally just going to shave the FSB down but now I'm thinking that just sounds like a bunch of extra work, when I can just buy one. Plus I could sell the FSB and offset some of the cost. I was looking at the different kind/brands of gas blocks and I think I will go with this one unless you think something else will be better?? I also wanted to make sure this would work with my Colt? http://yhm.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_6&products_id=41 Thanks for the help, Mac While hypothetically simple - with the way Colt press fits their FSB taper pins - it will be a lot more work to remove and replace the FSB than to simply take a Dremel to it and spray paint it. Getting those Colt pins out will take the right tools and/or a lot of heavy hammering and excessive cursing. If you have to remove and replace the barrel nut - you'll still have to do this - but again, you'll still have to align and install the new gas block and dimple for set-screws if using a set-screw model, again, more work than really necessary when your FSB already comes with pre-drilled holes that will ensure proper alignment and sturdy attachment. Also, because FSBs are individually drilled to the barrel, you might not get as much return on your investment for a pre-drilled FSB as you might think. Basically, they're a once use only, and for all intents and purposes are "married" to the barrel once drilled. Yes you can re-ream them and/or use set screws, but generally, that's more work than most people are willing to put into it compared to just drilling a new FSB for taper pins. The only time I recommend using an aftermarket gasblock when a taper pinned FSB is already present if you think you may at some point want to return the weapon to its factory configuration, in which case, you may not want to go destroying the FSB. To directly answer your question, though, yes, that gas block, and any others with a .750 internal diameter will work for your rifle. That particular model is a clamp on version. ~Augee |
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Augee, thanks for the reply and I feel like I learned something here.
I feel confident I can do the modification. The Alpha rail uses the factory barrel nut and I will never return it back to the factory look. You said, "the only time I recommend using an aftermarket gas block when a taper pinned FSB is already present if you think you may at some point want to return the weapon to its factory configuration, in which case, you may not want to go destroying the FSB." Does this mean that you think it would be better to go with a cut down FSB? I'm trying to justify doing the work involved in shaving down an FSB, if it's a better option, and to learn why it would be a better option. If it doesn't matter and would save me time, I would rather just buy and install a new gas block. And if I do go with the new gas block, I would like to know if the set-screw type or pinch type is better. Looking for type and brand recommendations. Thanks |
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Quoted:
Augee, thanks for the reply and I feel like I learned something here. I feel confident I can do the modification. The Alpha rail uses the factory barrel nut and I will never return it back to the factory look. You said, "the only time I recommend using an aftermarket gas block when a taper pinned FSB is already present if you think you may at some point want to return the weapon to its factory configuration, in which case, you may not want to go destroying the FSB." Does this mean that you think it would be better to go with a cut down FSB? I'm trying to justify doing the work involved in shaving down an FSB, if it's a better option, and to learn why it would be a better option. If it doesn't matter and would save me time, I would rather just buy and install a new gas block. And if I do go with the new gas block, I would like to know if the set-screw type or pinch type is better. Looking for type and brand recommendations. Thanks The only time it is better to use a low profile gas block to replace a taper pinned FSB is if you may want to return to stock configuration. Otherwise a FSB reprofiled to a low profile gas block is vastly superior. It will be much stronger. It will not ever move or come loose. It will always be properly seated over the gas port. If you have a hack saw, a bastard file and a Dremel tool with cutting discs and sanding drums it is an easy task to reprofile the FSB. When done, hit it with some high temp black spray paint or cold blue treatment. |
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Quoted:
Augee, thanks for the reply and I feel like I learned something here. I feel confident I can do the modification. The Alpha rail uses the factory barrel nut and I will never return it back to the factory look. You said, "the only time I recommend using an aftermarket gas block when a taper pinned FSB is already present if you think you may at some point want to return the weapon to its factory configuration, in which case, you may not want to go destroying the FSB." Does this mean that you think it would be better to go with a cut down FSB? I'm trying to justify doing the work involved in shaving down an FSB, if it's a better option, and to learn why it would be a better option. If it doesn't matter and would save me time, I would rather just buy and install a new gas block. And if I do go with the new gas block, I would like to know if the set-screw type or pinch type is better. Looking for type and brand recommendations. Thanks A cut down FSB will be the strongest option available. Even most taper pinned low profile gas blocks are pinned using a single pin versus the two on the FSB. I would go with the cut down. ~Augee |
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