Adjustable Gas Block?

[txgunner00]

Has anyone tried the paladin machine 3 position gas block? I was wanting a 3 position block for when I get my suppressor

I have one on my 10" 5.56 upper and it's OK. The owner is a good guy and will customize the block (port sizes) to your needs. I need to take mine apart and measure the ports though. They may have burned out some already as the upper seems to be getting over gassed. I'm not sure of the hardness of the material he is using or if he's heat treating them. If in fact it has burned out I feel it should have lasted longer, however this is on a short barrel that I shoot suppressed 90% of the time. Pretty cheap and easy fix though- only need to replace the cylinder that has the ports in it. Just hadn't taken the time to dig into it.

[Chato308]

I have one on my 10" 5.56 upper and it's OK. The owner is a good guy and will customize the block (port sizes) to your needs. I need to take mine apart and measure the ports though. They may have burned out some already as the upper seems to be getting over gassed. I'm not sure of the hardness of the material he is using or if he's heat treating them. If in fact it has burned out I feel it should have lasted longer, however this is on a short barrel that I shoot suppressed 90% of the time. Pretty cheap and easy fix though- only need to replace the cylinder that has the ports in it. Just hadn't taken the time to dig into it.

the gas port on my mid-length measures ~.078 but I'm not exactly sure what suppressed setting to go with?

[txgunner00]

the gas port on my mid-length measures ~.078 but I'm not exactly sure what suppressed setting to go with?

Start small and drill or ream it out until it functions reliably. I started with .050 and ended up somewhere around .064 on my .223 IIRC. I have a series of small chucking reamers specifically for this purpose because they are much less likely to break than drills and they leave a better finish in the hole. You can get them at several on-line machine tool dealers for a few dollars a piece.

[Tailgate]

For accuracy, get a low-pro adjustable gas block that CLAMPS on...not one that has a set screw(s). There are a few out there. I believe the aforementioned Syrac is one of them.

[txgunner00]

Just curious- how does clamp vs set screw affect accuracy?

[ricsmall]

Just curious- how does clamp vs set screw affect accuracy?

+1 on that

[Drifter]

Just curious- how does clamp vs set screw affect accuracy?

Here's a excerpt from Building an Accurate AR — What is Most Important by Robert Whitley (a very respected builder of precision uppers):

You want a gas block that does not impose pointed stress on the barrel. Clamp-on types that grab all the way around the barrel are excellent. The blocks that are pinned on with tapered pins that wedge against the barrel or the slip on type of block with set screws that push up from underneath (or directly on the barrel) can deform the bore inside of the barrel and can wreck the accuracy of an otherwise great barrel.

Link to source: http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/...ffers-answers/

And from Mr. Whitley's website:

The best gas block for accuracy work is clearly the clamp-on type. It provides the least amount of stress on the barrel, while at the same time providing the best seal to contain all gas in the gas system. All our accuracy upper build ups are made with clamp-on gas blocks. In addition clamp-on gas blocks are also the easiest to install, adjust and remove so that the initial set up and any later servicing of the rifle or the gas system can be accomplished easily and quickly with no special tools.

Link to source: http://www.6mmar.com/Benchrest_AR.html

Coincidentally, Mr. Whitley designed a 6mm wildcat based on the Grendel case.

[txgunner00]

Interesting. Makes sense in theory but I don't know. Can little set screws really impart that much force to deflect a tube many times thicker than the diameter of the screws?

[Drifter]

Interesting. Makes sense in theory but I don't know. Can little set screws really impart that much force to deflect a tube many times thicker than the diameter of the screws?

It doesn't mean that an accurate weapon cannot be built using a gas block with set screws, but perhaps that the odds are a little better with a clamp-on style. That man's reputation is on the line with every upper that goes out the door (many of which are used in competition), so he likely tries to eliminate potential issues.

[Bwild97]

Interesting. Makes sense in theory but I don't know. Can little set screws really impart that much force to deflect a tube many times thicker than the diameter of the screws?

I think it could be possible in an ultra lite barrel, but not on a heavy or bull barrel. This could be the reason behind the AA barrel profile with a .906 dia. gas block land.