gas tube removal help

[goldshlagerxx]

I'm in the process of rebarreling my AR15. I've removed the roll pin that retains the gas tube, but I can't get the tube to budge. It's stuck in the FSB pretty good. I've tried clamping a visegrips to it and hitting it w/ a hammer and it doesn't move at all. Do you guys have any tips or hints on how to free a stuck gas tube?

[TaylorWSO]

Put some kroil on the gas tube/FSB to loosen up the carbon. It is probably stuck in there with the buildup. I use a pair of pliers and some rubber bicycle tube wraped around the gas tube. Just grip it and tap with a hammer.

You can also leave the tube in the FSB and just remove the base.

[goldshlagerxx]

Originally posted by TaylorWSO

You can also leave the tube in the FSB and just remove the base.

Wow, I missed the obvious. This would be the easiest way, I won't even have to align the hole in FSB w/ the gas tube.

Thanks!!

[ratas calientes]

Whatever you do, be careful to not crush the gas tube. First time I had this happen, I used to pieces of soft wood, 2 x 4 inches, about 3/4" inch thick. I then used two C-clamps to clamp the gas tube betweeh the edges of the two pieces of wood. Then I tapped on the two wood blocks with a hammer, in the direction towards the chamber, to force the gas tube out of the front site base. Worked very well. I since made a couple of aluminum blocks with slots and a set of bolts that do the same thing.

Also - I have never been able to remove a front sight base from an AR barrel. I will figure it out some day. http://chilirat.com/emoticons/chilirat.gif

[338GT]

Goldshlager,

Pad your Vice jaws with and old leather belt, or proper pads.

Clamp the upper by the gas tube, muzzle down.

Use a lead babbet or block of wood as a pad and give the rear of the upper a good sharp tap or two.

As stated above, don't go all caveman clamping down on the gas tube or you will may crush it.

Best of luck!
338GT

[Ssarge]

You can also use oil as above to break up the carbon, turn the receiver upside down and go in from the inside of the receiver with a nylon punch and give it some gentle whacks towards the muzzle. This will break the carbon fouling loose and let it come out. The main thing is, be gentle and don't bugger the gas tube where it joins up with the bolt carrier key.

[goldshlagerxx]

Thanks guys, I finally got it out. Rifle is rebarreled and ready to go. I function tested it and it works fine, gotta go clean it as it was raining out when I tested it.

BTW, Ratas I did get the FSB free. I soaked it in WD40 (CLP didn't seem to do the trick) and hit it w/ a big rubber mallet.

[ratas calientes]

Originally posted by goldshlagerxx
. . .
BTW, Ratas I did get the FSB free. I soaked it in WD40 (CLP didn't seem to do the trick) and hit it w/ a big rubber mallet. Did you remove the tapered pins? http://chilirat.com/emoticons/chilirat.gif

[goldshlagerxx]

yep, don't think it would have went anywhere w/ out doing that. I then twisted it side to side a bit, then BAM brought the hammer down on it hard. I've got a phantom flashhider on the barrel and it actually got stuck in the floor... the fiance loved that :shades: