epoxy on AR gas block?

kujo929

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 30, 2011
220
1
45
Blm, IL
Anyone ever heard of someone using epoxy to attach the gas block on a varmint style AR15? I ask because one of my buddies called me about a friend having problem with a rifle that someone had built for him. When they started taking it apart that is what they found. I had just never heard of it myself.
 
Re: epoxy on AR gas block?

Never... seems to be a shady build (perhaps it was done to eliminate any gases from escaping....otherwise I wouldn't know why the builder would do such a thing...)
 
Re: epoxy on AR gas block?

He didn't say what type epoxy it was. However it was the only thing that was holding the gas block on the barrel. No pin or set screw or anything. Needless to say it this particular build it did not work. The guy had to manually cycle each round. Gas tube was not pinned into the block either.
 
Re: epoxy on AR gas block?

Real shady build. Wouldn't take long for that gas block to break free from the epoxy if it was properly lined up in the first place... I'd throw that shit back at the builder.
 
Re: epoxy on AR gas block?

Epoxy under a gas block is not unheard of, though most of the time it's more typical to see Loctite. It's actually a regular thing for custom builds. If you see it, it's a good sign of a lazy builder. You see it a lot with out-of-spec gas blocks; typically cast gas blocks. The gas block is ever-so-slightly too big for the barrel, so they put in some kind of hardener to "fuse" it together and take up the space. Eventually the heat melts it and the block starts leaking. As stated above, it's a good sign of a shady build. If you have a gas block that doesn't fit, you either get a new gas block or you get a new barrel. You don't put stuff in there to fill the gap.

Another possibility is that the builder somehow thought it was a good idea to use an epoxy to create a better seal to increase reliability and gas tube pressure. I could see this being done by a builder who is heavily involved in 3-Gun, Steel Challenge or some other kind of action rifle competition.

I would normally recommend that people address problems like that with their builder, but in this case it's likely to just be screwed up again. I'd tell your friend to either do the work himself or find a new builder.
 
Re: epoxy on AR gas block?

Epoxy, half a tongue depressor, a barrel nut, and 3.7" of bailing wire is all that is holding my barrel to my upper.
Actually I believe that the tongue depressor fell off and it still works!
.5moa-adl
 
Re: epoxy on AR gas block?

HAHAHAHA!!!
I know where this idea might might have come- "Mr Surgical Precision" in youtube has instruction vids.
He uses glue with gasblock for "eliminating gasblock vibration which destroys barrel harmonics".
Not so convinced about idea- and even if it would work, blue locktite cant take too much heat.
Also, he messes up LaRue handguard installation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXiPXXvLeDU
 
Re: epoxy on AR gas block?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hamilton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Epoxy, half a tongue depressor, a barrel nut, and 3.7" of bailing wire is all that is holding my barrel to my upper.
Actually I believe that the tongue depressor fell off and it still works!
.5moa-adl </div></div>

For the WIN!!!
 
Re: epoxy on AR gas block?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kujo929</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anyone ever heard of someone using epoxy to attach the gas block on a varmint style AR15? I ask because one of my buddies called me about a friend having problem with a rifle that someone had built for him. When they started taking it apart that is what they found. I had just never heard of it myself. </div></div>

I've heard of Loctite being recommended (for instance by Badger on their gas Blocks: http://badgerordnance.com/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/upload/249-30.pdf), but in tandem with the set screws.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JL</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also, he messes up LaRue handguard installation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXiPXXvLeDU
</div></div>

A classic case of "RTFM"....still "it seems like it's a fairly tight system" so I'll guess he'll be OK!!!
smirk.gif


Would love to see his left overs pile when he starts on the flat-pack, self-assembly furniture!!

Did anyone else think he should have headspaced the bolt before he popped on the lower?
 
Re: epoxy on AR gas block?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JL</div><div class="ubbcode-body">HAHAHAHA!!!
I know where this idea might might have come- "Mr Surgical Precision" in youtube has instruction vids.
He uses glue with gasblock for "eliminating gasblock vibration which destroys barrel harmonics".
Not so convinced about idea- and even if it would work, blue locktite cant take too much heat.
Also, he messes up LaRue handguard installation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXiPXXvLeDU
</div></div> Oh Lord that was painful to watch…
 
Re: epoxy on AR gas block?

Plenty of knowledgeable, competent builders use epoxies and glues in builds to make sure parts stay put. But I've never hear of it being used with the gas block and I would guess the high temps would break down the epoxy over time. What rationale did the rifle builder provide for using epoxy? If the gas block is too big, then it needs to be replaced, but that info was not provided by the OP.
 
Re: epoxy on AR gas block?

Epoxy's have no place on any of my builds or current rifles (other then bedding a couple bolt actions and 1 grip reduction on my G34...) buy quality parts and be done with it.