Smyth Busters: Do You Have To Pin an AR-15 Gas Block?

This guide, presented by Dave Timm, details the expert installation of AR-15 low-profile gas blocks. It emphasizes the superior reliability of the pinned method for duty rifles, while also covering set screw installation with barrel dimpling and high-temperature thread locker. The instruction highlights the importance of precision tools and techniques for ensuring a secure and functional gas block, crucial for rifle performance under stress.

This video details various methods for attaching AR-15 gas blocks and front sight bases (FSBs), emphasizing the superior durability and reliability of the military-standard drilling and pinning method using taper pins. It contrasts this with clamp-on and set screw designs, highlighting their advantages for home builders and hobbyists but also their potential for migration and failure in demanding conditions. The instructor stresses that for critical applications, drilling and pinning is the only acceptable method, while other methods require careful installation and mitigation techniques like dimpling and Loctite.

This video provides a step-by-step guide to assembling a complete AR-15 5.56 upper receiver. It details the process of greasing and seasoning barrel threads, torquing the barrel nut to 40 ft-lbs, and precisely aligning and securing the gas block using the handguard for reference. The guide also covers the proper installation and timing of the muzzle device, emphasizing the use of specific tools like a lug lock vise block and torque wrench.

This video provides a comprehensive overview of AR-15 gas blocks, explaining their critical role in the direct impingement system. It details standard block types, attachment methods (set screw vs. clamp-on), barrel diameter considerations (0.625", 0.75", 0.93"), and the importance of proper fit to avoid rail interference. The guide also covers adjustable gas blocks for tuning recoil and suppressor performance, while cautioning they add potential failure points.

This video provides a step-by-step guide on how to install the Brownells Wrenchman Lightweight Handguard for the AR-15 platform. Gun Tech Caleb Savant details the necessary components, including the handguard, barrel nut, and tools. The installation process covers removing the barrel nut, greasing the barrel extension, hand-threading and torquing the barrel nut, installing the gas block and tube, and finally attaching the handguard, emphasizing the anti-rotation tabs and indexing plate for proper alignment and secure fit.

This guide details the process of building an M38-style rifle using a Brownells BRN-4 upper receiver. It covers the installation of an M27 profile barrel, an 11-inch quad rail handguard, and an HK-style gas block. The build also includes mounting a Leupold Mark 5 HD optic and the piston system, emphasizing proper torque specifications and alignment for a functional rifle.

This guide details the installation of a Geissele MK8 Super Modular Rail on an AR-15 platform. It covers securing the upper receiver, installing the barrel nut, gas system, and the rail itself, emphasizing the use of specialized tools and proper torque specifications. The process requires an intermediate skill level and careful attention to detail for a secure and functional build.

This guide, based on expert instruction from Brownells, details essential practices for proper ammunition storage. It emphasizes using airtight containers, managing humidity with desiccants, and maintaining stable temperatures to ensure ammunition reliability and safety. Proper storage is crucial for preventing corrosion and propellant degradation, especially for sensitive components like primers.

This guide details the process of upgrading an AR-15 from standard A2 furniture to Magpul components. It covers the removal of the A2 pistol grip and installation of the Magpul MIAD Grip and Magpul PRS Stock. The video demonstrates efficient assembly using specialized tools, highlighting the ergonomic benefits and adjustability of the Magpul parts. Instruction is provided by Brownells, a recognized industry authority.

This entry details the creation of a movie prop suppressor for a Remington 11-87 used in 'No Country for Old Men.' Prop master Larry Zanoff explains how the suppressor was designed to look homemade and was non-functional, with sound effects added in post-production. The process highlights the creative problem-solving involved in film armory.