gas tube won't come unstuck

O

O6nop

New member
I followed the easy directions on AR15.com, but I can't get the gas tube out of the gas block, which is the original front sight. I am wanting to change it out to a 4-rail block.
So, I punched out the roll pin, removed the two pins that secure the gas block. Removed the handguards, I took it completely off the barell. The tube is supposed to come out fairly easily, but it's stuck. I tried lightly holding it with pliers and trying to tap it out, still no luck.
Anyone have any helpful hints or will I have to buy another tube?
 
Try soaking it

In solvent or even penetrating oil. Then after a day or so, try and remove it again. Other options are heating the gas block a bit (so it expands slightly) to see if the tube loosens. Some people like to take the opposite approach, cooling/freezing the assembly, as different metals will expand/contract at different rates, this sometimes frees up stuck parts.

Using a pair of parallel jaw pliers, firmly gripping the tube (clost to the front sight assy) and tapping on the pliers would free the gas tubes of the M16A1s I worked on in the Army three decades ago. As long as you don't crush the gas tube, a few scratches on the outside don't hurt the function any.

You probably ought to go ahead and get another gas tube anyway. They are not really expensive, and if you do wind up needing one, nothing else will work.
 
I believe 44 AMP is correct.

Old mechanics have a saying, "Don't force it, use a bigger hammer."

This is a humorous way of saying that something is wrong, take a second look. I also believe in some form of penetrating oil. I use WD-40, but many believe it dries with a residue that is just as bad.

If that is your belief, use 3 in 1 oil, or what people referred to as "sewing machine oil."

I use black moly oil on some parts of my sharpening fixture, but it is dirty, and once it gets on something it is impossible to launder.
 
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