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Is removing a fixed gas block from a Saint possible?

W

Waisaipapa

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Thought I could easily upgrade my hand guard but have not been able to remove the pins in the gas block. Anyone have any success with this and if so, how did you do it? I’ve watched a bunch of vids on YouTube but haven’t had any luck.

Thanks in advance.
 
Welcome to the forum. This can be done and I’m sure someone will be along soon to help you out. If you are new to this sort of thing, it might make sense to enlist the help of a gunsmith.
 
Thank you so much. You know, I did take it to my local gunsmith and just got a bunch of excuses on why I shouldn’t do it. Was told I’d be better off building a new AR from scratch. Been banging away at these pins for a bit now with no luck.

Hopefully this forum will be more helpful than our gunsmith.

I live on Maui, so there aren’t many gunsmiths on island. :(
 
Waisaipapa said:
Thank you so much. You know, I did take it to my local gunsmith and just got a bunch of excuses on why I shouldn’t do it. Was told I’d be better off building a new AR from scratch. Been banging away at these pins for a bit now with no luck.

Hopefully this forum will be more helpful than our gunsmith.

I live on Maui, so there aren’t many gunsmiths on island. :(
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What saint model do you have ?
I am assuming a B5 model with fixed front post sight ?

-Need a great set of armorers punches
- AR15 block preferred but not necessary
- rubber mallet to “nudge” the A sight off after all the pins out
 
Waisaipapa said:
Thought I could easily upgrade my hand guard but have not been able to remove the pins in the gas block. Anyone have any success with this and if so, how did you do it? I’ve watched a bunch of vids on YouTube but haven’t had any luck.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Just re read your post
Wanting to swap hand guard only or gas block and hand guard to go with a whole new rail system / gas block?
 
Thank you. Wanted to swap stock hand guard out for a free float and didnt know I’d need to also swap the existing fixed gas block for a low profile gas block.

Sorry for the confusion.
 

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Waisaipapa said:
Thank you. Wanted to swap stock hand guard out for a free float and d’où d out I’ll need to also swap the existing fixed gas block for a low profile gas block.

Sorry for the confusion.
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If you swap out for a free float, I think you will also need to swap out the barrel nut to use with a free float handguard
 
How or where would I find the correct gas block size? I see from various sources online that most ARs use 0.75 block, but the guys at the gun shop said the saint takes a .875?
 
Bassbob said:
Are they tapered pins ? Check and see if they are smaller on one side.
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They are tapered and are removed like any milspec pins. Left to right, easiest to remember that the pins eject out of the gas block the same direction as your spent brass ejects.

You need the proper tools and techniques, things like a ball peen hammer, oversized punch. A very stable bench, with a block or holder. When you just lay the barrel on some wood like the op did. When you hit the pins, nothing is keeping the barrel from moving minimizing the transfer of force into the pins. The more the barrel can move it acts like a spring and dampens your work. You can also do what the pros do and your a press to push them out and be done with it.

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Waisaipapa said:
How or where would I find the correct gas block size? I see from various sources online that most ARs use 0.75 block, but the guys at the gun shop said the saint takes a .875?
Click to expand...
bulls usually are .936"
hbar .875"
modified/lightweight .750"
pencil .625"

I've had bulls with .875" and hbar with .750"

There's no standard, just whatever they decide to produce it in.
 
TEXASforLIFE said:
bulls usually are .936"
hbar .875"
modified/lightweight .750"
pencil .625"

I've had bulls with .875" and hbar with .750"

There's no standard, just whatever they decide to produce it in.
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Thank you! Since parts on Maui are limited, I’m trying I confirm the size before ordering online. Haven’t been able to find anything on Springfields website or anywhere else.
 
With a 5 hour delay between Texas and Hawaii takes awhile for communication. I'm not sure what or any kind of measuring devices you have, but this could help? With a flexible measuring tape measure the circumference. R + R x π =
If it's .750" gas block just do .75 x 3.1416 (usually close enough).
No need to do .375 + .375.

Short answers for you will be
.750". 2.356". Just under 2 3/8"
.875". 2.748". Just under 2 3/4"
.936". 2.940". Just over 2 15/16"
As you can see there is enough difference to see 3/8" between .750 and .875 gas block/journal and 3/16" between.875 and .936". If someone has a dial caliper you can also find out that way. Hope this helps.
 
TEXASforLIFE said:
With a 5 hour delay between Texas and Hawaii takes awhile for communication. I'm not sure what or any kind of measuring devices you have, but this could help? With a flexible measuring tape measure the circumference. R + R x π =
If it's .750" gas block just do .75 x 3.1416 (usually close enough).
No need to do .375 + .375.

Short answers for you will be
.750". 2.356". Just under 2 3/8"
.875". 2.748". Just under 2 3/4"
.936". 2.940". Just over 2 15/16"
As you can see there is enough difference to see 3/8" between .750 and .875 gas block/journal and 3/16" between.875 and .936". If someone has a dial caliper you can also find out that way. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Damn this is good info
 
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