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Posted: 2/11/2008 8:16:17 PM EDT
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I've read the guides and the build your own section, but I cannot get my stupid gas tube to budge. I have a bushmaster upper that's had over 2k rounds through it. First I broke a 1/16" punch and small drill bit before finally getting the gas tube pin out. Now I've pulled and jerked and twisted the gas tube and cannot get it to budge. I've even tried using a pair of pliers and a hammer to tap the tube out, but with no success. Finally, I sprayed some wd-40 in/around where the gas tube enters the front site. Any other pointers before I rip the stupid thing out, breaking it in the process? |
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I inherited a very old upper with an unknown history that I stripped and had a VERY stuck gas tube too. I ended up using a thick piece of plastic (or wood block-watch the grain though), and a wooden rod to get the tube loose. I put the plastic on the exposed end of the gas tube, where the key fits over, and then tapped the rod until it broke loose. It was still a bear to get out, but it worked for me. YMMV Gas tubes are pretty cheap, just in case you bugger it up! It may not be worth the time |
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Thanks. I tried what you said but it didn't help. The gas tube moves freely near the upper/bolt nut, but is still rock hard within the front site post. I think for now I'm going to have to take out the pins in the front site and slide the whole assembly forward in order to remove this barrel. Unless someone else comes up with something before I go that far. I won't be doing anymore hammering tonight because I live in an apt. and I'm sure the neighbors would love me for it if I did. I also tried heating up the gas tube with a lighter where it enters the front sight but apparently a lighter isn't going to get it hot enough to make any difference. |
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The gas tube roll pin first has to be removed from the FSB, then with the gas tube clamped up in the below tool (will not crush the tube), you hit the tool to drift the tube out of the FSB. If the gas tube is not to be saved, then you can just clamp down on the tube with a set of pliers instead. 
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Just wondering, why didn't you just remove the FSB? When I change barrels I never bother with removing the gas tubes. |
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I tried, but the stupid pins in the fsb wouldn't budge. I used a large punch to try and get the pins started, but that didn't work either. I have a bushmaster and read in these forums that others had the same problem. I think Bushmaster puts the front sights on and then coats the barrel with whatever they use to finish them. At least that's what it looks like upon examining the pins closely. I'm a some-what mechanically inclined person, and I'm above average in size and strength. I don't think anything could be done to get those pins out short of using a dremmel to cut the damn things off...which I read someone else had to do with a Bushmaster. No worrys though, from here on out I'm sticking to building my own AR's. If the gun is assembled by hand, then I'll know it can be disassembled by hand. |
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