Barrel Dimpling

[tracker12]

I picked up one of the 18" Faxon Group buys. I bought a Geissele MK14 rail that comes with a Gas block that calls for set screws. I would thing I need to dimple the barrel. Will this be a problem with a Nitride treated barrel. Thoughts on accuracy in doing this.

[Frontier Gear]

To be honest, I don't dimple the barrels anymore if it isn't already. I do use knurled set screws and blue Loctite though. I've never had an issue with a gas block coming loose with or without the dimple. That being said, most barrels that have passed through my hands lately have been dimpled already.

[grayfox]

I had the same question for a 16" faxon gunner profile barrel, I wound up just using the knurl on the set screws and it works just fine (plus some loktite o yeah).
I'm doing the same thing for my 18" faxon group-barrel... the set screw will put a little circle in the barrel surface ok, even though it is nitrided.
All of my (non-faxon) barrels have had the dimple btw... but the faxons seem to do ok without it.

[tracker12]

Thanks for the info. My first build so I don't want to screw it up.

[Frontier Gear]

There's more chance of you screwing it up by trying to dimple it.

[olde sarge]

tracker12, I dimpled my 20" group buy using the SLR Rifleworks dimpling jig with no problems and only using a common drill bit not a carbide. I did this after talking with SLR who told me they had done 100's of barrels QPQ'd from Faxon for customers. I could see no difference in dimpling this barrel and any other of the barrels I have done. In fact I just dimpled a BCA 4150 barrel that seemed harder to dimple than the Faxon. Hope this helps. John

[tracker12]

Is a knurled set screw usually include with the gas block or will I need to get some somewhere? I'd love to use a jig to dimple the barrel but this will most likely be my only build and hate to buy a tool just for one build. Even thou the jig from SLR and BRD look effective.

[jurassic]

Some are, some aren't, but all the ones I have seen lately are.

[bj139]

Does your gas block have 2 setscrews? Use one to hold the gasblock and drill through the other hole without the setscrew.
Make sure you use a drill that fits in the hole completely so you do not drill off the threads. Reverse the setscrew and repeat if you want.
Of course, as people said the dimple is not necessary.

[cb4017]

I've been using clamp-on gas blocks. Just all around easier to work with and you don't have to be concerned with dimples.

[tracker12]

I have thought of going that route just no sure which brand model would fit in my Geissele MK14.

[HowaGrendel]

I have yet to dimple a barrel and as someone else posted I never had an issue either...

[dtdraffen]

I dimple all my builds. It won't hurt, extra insurance.
SLR has dimpling jig for $29 (sometimes they have free shipping) best investment I every made

[Sticks]

My PF Neptune VIII upper has a set screw SLR adjustable gas block. No bedding, no dimpleing. Have/had over 900 rounds through it and no movement. Now it's red locktite bedded. Dimpleing may be over rated with a quality gas block.

[tracker12]

I ended up setting mine up without dimpling. This is a hunting gun and will not see an excessive amount of rounds thru it. Going to let it run for awhile and see how it does. If I have issues I will rethink it. I put a few rounds through it yesterday evening and it fed and ejected fine. Thanks for all the responses.