Okay, need help with low profile gas blocks for the installation. Are they all created equal?
Yes and no.
Is there a better set up to buy (ie. set screw, pinned)?
Depends on the gas block manufacturer.
Just buy this one. I affixed one to my 15-Sport. I can attest to it's quality and value.
Low Profile Gas Block (Pinch Screw)
Also, Cut the delta ring with a dremel (I don't have one, have to borrow a friends) or buy an Amorer's wrench and take the barrel off. Is it worth the investment in the wrench.
If you're the type to be happy with just one AR-15, then carefully remove the delta ring and spring with a dremel tool.
If you even think you're going to build an AR or do more AR mods, the wrench is an essential tool. Other essential tools: beam type torque wrench, roll pin starter punches, roll pin punches...
I am contemplating having a shop do it, because I want it to be right. How much do they normall charge? Any suggestions on just doing it myself, it's not that hard?
Depends on the shop. Don't assume that every gun shop has the personnel with the skill to do a good job. Just because the dude behind the counter sells the guns doesn't mean they know how to work on a firearm.
Are you a tinkerer? Do you like to fix things yourself? Do you have any mechanical aptitude? If yes, you can do this yourself. It's easy.
There was a video of a cute blonde chick who installed a Sampson rail via the dremel method. Once she became a sponsored competitive shooter, she too it down. Trust me. If she can do it, you can.
Between the Amorers wrench, gun block, buy a vise, punch set, I think I can probably have it done at the shop and done right with piece of mind. Thanks!
If you decide to go the dremel route, you don't need an armorer's wrench, upper vise block, vise, etc. You will need a roll pin starter punch. You're installing a handguard that uses the stock barrel nut. That makes it easy-peasy.
1. Optional: Spray the FSB pins with penetrating oil and let sit overnight.
2. Remove stock handguard.
3. Using a 19mm(?) wrench, remove the flash hider.
4. Drill a hole in a scrap piece of wood.
5. Lay the FSB on the wood so that the pin you're pounding out is above the hole you drilled.
6. Hammer that pin out.
7. Repeat 5 & 6 for the other pin.
8. Slide the FSB & gas tube off the barrel. You might have to tap the FSB with a hammer to get it off the barrel. If it's giving you issues, spray the FSB and barrel with penetrating oil. Lube that sucker.
9. Using the appropriate size pin punch (and I can't remember the size), tap out the gas tube retaining roll pin from the FSB. Remove the gas tube. Hold onto that little roll pin.
10. Wearing eye protection, hearing protection, and gloves dremel off the delta ring. Cut one side to just before you break through to barrel. Cut the opposite side the same way. Carefully use a screw driver to pry on the delta ring and break through the last bit holding the delta ring together.
11. Use the dremel to cut the delta ring spring in the same method outlined above. Carefully pry off the delta ring spring.
12. Remove the delta ring spring retaining snap ring.
13. Using non-chlorinated brake cleaner, spray off the exterior surface of the barrel that you just gooped up with lube.
14. While the gas port is exposed, check it for any blockages or build up. There shouldn't be any.
15. Install the gas tube to the low-pro gas block.
16. Install the low pro gas block w/gas tube on the barrel.
17. Install muzzle device using new crush washer. Now would be an opportune time to swap out muzzle devices if you are so inclined.
18. Install the Sampson adapters onto the standard barrel nut.
19. Slide on the Sampson rail so it interfaces with the adapters.
29. Make sure the top rail on the handguard lines up to the top rail on your upper.
30. Tighten handguard retaining screws.
Done.
