AR-15 Gas Blocks:

Update: November 28 2010. It’s getting hard to keep up with ever changing links from manufacturers and stores. To simplify the process rather than directing visitors to the exact product link I am changing the landing pages to be brand specific rather than part number specific.

The gas block is one of the major components that make up the gas system on which the rifle operates. Without a gas block the AR15 will not cycle. There was a time one there was only one gas block option, that option was the front sight gas block (FSGB). Today its a different world. There’s adjustable gas blocks, low profile gas blocks, railed gas blocks and folding front site gas blocks. The gas blocks are manufactured from aluminum or steel. Steel is preferred for AR15 rifles that will see high round counts.

Note: If you are removing a standard A2 style front sight gas block the pins that fasten it to the barrel must be removed and replaced in a specific direction. Brownells makes a special tool to make this easy and to prevent you from damaging the front site gas block. This tool is called AR-15 Front Sight Bench Block
. See the tool below and click the image to see more information at Brownells.

Noveske Switchblock Adjustable Gas Block

Adjustable gas block reduces gas flow to ensure reliable function during single-shot operation or when using sound suppression devices. Helps reduce felt recoil and minimize carbon buildup on the bolt carrier and inside the receiver for less frequent cleaning without compromising reliability. Three-position selector drum locks into position and is easily adjusted with the included wrench. Suppressed position reduces excess back pressure to safe levels when using noise limiting devices. Unsuppressed position allows normal weapon operation. Off position enables single-shot operation, preventing spent cartridge ejection while providing a reduced weapon sound signature. Replaces factory gas block, and clamps securely around the barrel with two steel Allen head screws. Gunsmith installation recommended.

Troy Industries Low Profile Gas Block

SGAS-A4L-00BT-00

Troy Industries offers a nice low profile set screw mount gas block.

JP Enterprises

JP Enterprises has a few gas blocks to offer AR15 shooters.

JPGS-5 Adjustable Low Profile Gas Block

Stainless steel adjustable low profile gas block. Rail-free design allows installation under handguards. Bore .750 View the installation instructions here.

JPGS-2FS Adjustable A2 Gas Block

Stainless steel A2/M4 front sight assembly replaces existing pin-on assemblies and provides a gas adjustment. May also be used as front sight only to extend the sight radius of any existing carbine or rifle.

JP Adjustable Gas Blocks with Picatinny Rails

JP Adjustable Gas System for AR type rifles. Picatinny rail design allows installation of quick-detach accessories such as front sights, lights and lasers. These gas blocks are available in various bores and materials.

PRI Gas Blocks

PRI has probably the widest range of low profile gas blocks available. The have adjustable, fixed and bores to .936

PRI Low Profile Steel Adjustable Gas Block

The AR15/M16 Steel gas block with ad us table gas porting. This is the same design as the original low profile gas blocks but the addition of some adjustments. The gas block offered in the .750 diameter.

PRI Low Profile Gas Blocks

These are available in various bores and materials.

PRI Gas Block with Top Picitinny Rail

This Barrel mounted gas block has a 2 1/2″ top rail same plain as the receiver. The rail is constructed of light wait hard coat aluminum. This gas block weights 2.5oz. Gas block fits over a .750 diameter barrel. Block locks into place with 2 crossbolts the same as our original gas block front sight.

PRI Gas Block with Top Picitinny Rail

PRI Flip Up Front Sight with .750 Crossbolt

PRI Flip Up Front Sight w/ .750″ Crossbolt Design FUFS-B Fits Barrels .750″ dia. M16 M4 and AR15 Eliminates the shadow cast on optical sights mounted on the M16 Flattop receiver Lightweight aluminum top post Low reflection matte black corrosion resistant coatings The sight post locks in the up and the down position Solid 4140 cast steel base with provision for the gas tube an integral part of the unit Accepts any standard retrofit M16 front sight post.

PRI Flip Up Front Sight with .750 Crossbolt

Yankee Hill Machine Gas Blocks

Yankee Hill offers low profile gas blocks similar to the PRI and Troy models. Additional they have a unit that’s similar to an A2 front sight with the sight portion removed. YHM most popular models though are the railed gas blocks which are available with 1-4 rails. Some models include provisions for a sling and feature a bayonet lug.

YHM Specter Gas Block

YHM also manufactures the unique Specter Gas Block. The design of this gas block allows the user to mount forearms that extend beyond the standard gas return system. Providing the inside diameter of the forearm is 1-5/8” or greater. It allows the mounting of our forearms without the removal of your pinned or welded muzzle accessory. This gas block consists of a simple, durable, two-piece design that is mounted by the use of four socket head cap screws. Made from high quality steel and finished with a Mil. Spec. phosphate coating.

Badger Ordnance Low Profile Mk 12 Gas Block

This is an exact replica of the gas manifold used on the Mk 12 SOCOM rifles. Fits rifles with a 3/4” (.75)

Vulcan Arms Quad Rail Gas Block

Machined, aircraft-grade, aluminum, gas block with picatinny rails attaches easily and lets you mount accessories to three sides. Grit blasted for a durable matte finish and hard-coat anodized as per mil spec 8625.

Midwest Industries AR15 Gas Blocks

MI offers a low profile and an upper height machined to the height of an A4 upper receiver.

Brownells AR15 Gas Blocks

Brownells offers two variations of AR15 gas blocks. The first is typical low profile, the second is a modular approach that allows for adding and removing picatinny rails and a bayonet lug.

DPMS Panther Arms Quad Rail Gas Block

DPMS produces a nice quad rail gas block with bores to suit most common AR15 barrel outside diameters.

G.B. Systems AR15 Gas Blocks

Manufacturer information not located.

EGW AR-15 Gas Block

Low Profile Provides Clearance For Optics & Free-Float Forend Tubes. Machined aluminum gas block properly directs gas and won’t interfere with optics, accessories, or free-float forend tubes. Installs easily with hex screws.

VLTOR Weapon Systems Low Profile Gas Block

VLTOR has some nicely profiled gas blocks available in various bores. With the various rail systems currently being offered for the AR15/M16/M4 weapon system, the Vltor Low-Profile Gas Block is small enough to fit inside most rail systems. These gas blocks are an excellent replacement for the archaic fixed sight tower gas block, which has been the standard since the early 1960’s.

The Vltor Low-Profile Gas Block covers one-inch of the barrel’s surface and is made to the tightest tolerance. These gas blocks are offered in two materials, 4140 carbon steel and 17-4PH stainless steel. The 4140 gas blocks are manganese phosphate (black finish) to match barrels with similar finish. The stainless steel gas blocks are blasted to give a matte gray finish.

All current models are made to fit barrels that feature a .750 or 3/4-inch gas block mounting surface. In 2007, Vltor will offer a gas block that will mount to a .625 or .5/8-inch diameter barrel.

AR-15 Bolt Catch Pin Punch

AR-15 Specialty Tools, Blog Posts

AR-15 Bolt Catch Pin Punch

Removing the AR-15 Bolt Catch Pin is easily one of the most frustrating tasks for those work on AR-15 rifles. The difficulty lies in that the pin is very close to the lower receiver. If the closeness to the receiver wasn’t enough of a challenge there is also a protrusion in an AR-15 lower receiver that blocks a straight on approach to the AR-15 Bolt Catch Pin.

Brownells has made the task of working with the AR-15 Bolt Catch Pin much easier with a modified roll pin punch.

The punch is modified to have it’s center line close the the receiver while straddling the hump in the lower receiver.

You can see how the Bolt Catch Pin gets close to the receiver with only minor interference from the hump.

Get the punch here at Brownells

AR-15 M4 M16 LASER ETCHED UPPER RECEIVERS

AR-15 Stripped Upper, Blog Posts

AR-15 M4 M16 LASER ETCHED UPPER RECEIVERS

Zombie Hunters Rejoice!!

Now this is a pretty neat idea that surely one ups the engraved ejection port doors. Brownells has is now stocking these laser etched stripped uppers.Click here for more information

Stripped, A3-style upper receiver is precision machined from a 7075 T6 aluminum alloy forging to USGI dimensions, ready to mate with the mil-spec lower and internal components of your choice. Includes M4-type feed cuts and alphanumeric position markers stamped into the rail slots. Extra hard 7075 T6 alloy offers superb strength to handle the battering of thousands of firing cycles. Hardcoat anodized to resist wear, add strength, and protect from corrosion. Hard dry-lube surface treatment protects the anodizing from scuffs and reduces friction between bolt carrier and receiver walls for ultra-smooth operation, less wear, and longer service life. Matte black finish matches most factory upper receiver and barrel finishes. Logos will not fade or wear off. Available with Rifleman’s Creed or Zombie Hunter logo.

DUECK DEFENSE – Rapid Transition Sight

AR-15 Sights BUIS, Blog Posts

DUECK DEFENSE – Rapid Transition Sight

Check it out at Brownells

Top 3-Gun shooter and IPSC Grand Master: Barry Dueck, has designed the RTS sight system which provides the competitive or tactical shooter with the quickest transition possible from optical to iron sights, greatly increasing efficiencies when dealing with near and far targets.

“I realized that when shooting close targets on the move I was more effective with standard M4/M16 iron sights than when using anything else. Being that I still performed better at longer ranges with an optical sight, I came up with a sight design that allowed for both. It also solved the problem of trying to co-witness sights because you now have two independent sighting systems that are always ready.”
~ Barry Dueck

Mounts At 45° Offset From Primary Optic For Instant Transition To Backup Sights

Rugged machined aluminum backup sights mount a on Picatinny-railed rifle at a 45° offset angle to enable instant transition from primary optic simply by tilting the rifle. Ambidextrous design can be mounted to on the left or right side of the receiver. Eliminates the need to co-witness backup sights through your optic. Provides the same bore height and sight picture as standard USGI A2 sights. Rear sight has A2 flip-up long- and short-range apertures, and is adjustable for windage and elevation in ½ MOA clicks. Mount rear sight to receiver rail and front sight to handguard top rail. Locking bar and cross-bolt attachment system clamps securely to MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rails and sits only .20″ above the rail, so there’s no interference with the main sighting system. No special tools needed; installs using a slot tip screwdriver. Compatible with military IR laser/illuminators, front sight base designed to clear beam path.

Battle Arms Development Inc – BAD ASS Ambidextrous Safety Selector AR-15 AR-10

AR-15 Ambidextrous Safety Selector, Blog Posts

Battle Arms Development Inc – BAD ASS Ambidextrous Safety Selector AR-15 AR-10

The Bad Ass Ambi Safety Selector is Oversized, Deeply Grooved Levers For Positive Operation With Either Hand.

Battle Arms Development Inc - BAD ASS Ambidextrous Safety Selector Specs

Machined, heat-treated steel safety selector has oversized contact pads on both sides of the receiver for easy ambidextrous operation. Large surface area lets you manage the safety while wearing gloves, and eliminates fumbling in the dark. Pads are deeply grooved for an ultra-secure grip under stress or when hand is wet. Can be customized by positioning the larger pad on either side of the receiver or with the application of high-visibility paint. Mounting hardware included.

Battle Arms Development Inc - BAD ASS Ambidextrous Safety Selector AR-15 AR-10