Removing OR gas block

Gatorade

Gatorade

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Hey folks, I'm new here. Picked up my first AR (M&P 15 OR) a couple months ago, and I love it, but I've decided to make a few changes. Among other things, I've got a mid-length free float quad rail and a low profile gas block on the way, but I can't seem to get the original gas block off. I've read all the threads on here that I can find (at least in half an hour messing around with the search function), and I still can't get the pin to budge.

I'm driving it from the ejector side with a hardened steel punch and a 4 lb sledge. I've held a soldering iron on each side of the pin for 15 min stretches, I've left it sitting over a candle, I've insulted its mother and threatened its children and it still just sits there, silently mocking me as I scratch the gas block up a little bit more every time the punch slips off the rounded pin head.

Does anyone have better ideas? I doubt it's a question of force, though I suppose I could be wrong. I'm more inclined to think I'm not getting enough heat to the right place. Would a butane torch be better?

Thanks
 
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So, the torch didn't do much. Destroyed 3 "hardened steel" (though I'm dubious about how well hardened they are) punches and the pin has yet to budge. I got the roll pin and gas tube out pretty easily, and I was figuring I'd take off the barrel nut so I could work on just the barrel without bringing the whole upper around with me. Naturally the friggin' barrel nut won't budge either. I think I'll try freezing the whole assembly this time - maybe that'll shrink things down enough to get some play.

The whole reason I bought an AR is because I'm an incorrigible tinker - I love taking things apart and messing with them, and there are just more ways to tinker with an AR than any other rifle. But I'm starting to think S&W doesn't feel quite the same way - they don't seem to want me to do anything fun with it!
 
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Wow Dude I am sorry, I did chip one of my cup tipped punches, and the pins on my sport front sight were in backwards from any other brand, could it be that you have been trying to drive it out from the wrong side. honestly that is the only thing that makes sense being as they are a taper pin or I believe that they are on the OR but I dont own one but you are having too much trouble and that would make sense.
 
Have you tried WD-40 or the like? I soaked mine for a day before going at it and the pins came out pretty easy using a small hammer. What type of surface is the upper receiver on while you're hitting at the pins...maybe too much cushion???
You can definately tell the head of the pin from the other end. If you're hammering with a 4 lb sledge and it's not budging (and you're trying to get them out the correct way), I'm at a loss.
Can you post pictures of both sides of the GB now?
Keep us posted.
 
When I removed the tapered pins on my A2 post gas block, before I started I noticed that about .060 thousands (1/16th) of an inch were sticking out on each side of the block. So I took a pair of calipers and measured each side of the pin. One side measured .125 thousands and the other side measured .140 thousands, so i knew right away that the smaller side was the side to start hammering on. I read a lot of posts saying right to left or left to right. You got to try to measure if possible. I don't know maybe the OR gas blocks are different, maybe the pins don't stick out at all. But you really need to make sure your are going the right way.

Also if they are (the tapered pins) sticking out a little bit you got to use a big punch (like the 5/16th one) and give it one hell of a hit. This will put the pin flush with the gas block surface (busting it loose) then you tap it out with the 1/8 punch.

Good luck Dude, I hope you get them out
 
ZeroTolerance6 said:
Have you tried WD-40 or the like? I soaked mine for a day before going at it and the pins came out pretty easy using a small hammer.
Click to expand...

I'll give that a shot too. I'm definitely driving it the correct direction - I've measured the ends. I've got the gas block in a vise, with a chunk of 3/4" plywood underneath it (standing lengthwise up from the floor to support the other side of the block, with a hole drilled out where the pin would go if it ever moved). I wonder if the pressure from the vise is working against me - I'll try it without next time I have time to work on it (which will be a couple days - busy weekend coming up)
 
I've exhausted all means at my disposal. Taking it to a gunsmith would cost me well more than the gas block is worth, so with my head hung in shame, I went the bush-league route and cut it with a dremel to the point that it was thin enough I could hit it with the hammer and crack the gas block - the pin came out easily then. I've never had that much trouble with a pin before (this is my first AR, but not my first rifle or first project)
 
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