PSA CHF Barrel - Removed Front Sight and exposed drilled area

[Craigery]

Hello!

I'm obviously very new to assembling AR-15s. Welp I finally finished my AR but in the process I noticed something. I bought a complete upper with a PSA Cold hammer forged barrel with a front sight post. The problem is that when I removed the front sight post to install a low profile gas block, I saw where they drilled into the barrel for the front sight post retaining pins. Is this bad to keep exposed? I hope it isn't because I would hate to have to install it all again and ditch my VTAC Alpha Rail

 

[MontereyC6]

Nope, purely asthetics. There are low pro gas blocks that are out there that will cover them.

 

[Craigery]

Awesome! I just wanted to make sure because it seemed like a pretty significant portion of the barrel assembly that was cut through so I was worried.

 

[indyjohn]

Mr. Craigery, if you are going to post about gory looking parts, you will need to go get yourself a free photobucket account and learn how to use it so you can show us what you're referring to.

Because,

 

[Craigery]

Mr. Craigery, if you are going to post about gory looking parts, you will need to go get yourself a free photobucket account and learn how to use it so you can show us what you're referring to.

Because,

Anything for you John! I will get that picture on here tonight.

 

[Craigery]

Here you go!

 

[CountryBoy19]

For future reference, you can also just cut the sight part off the FSB in the future and use the remaining parts as a low-pro gas-block.

 

[Craigery]

I might end up doing that and putting the FSB back on. If I have tapped out the pins on the bottom, I can install them back right?

For future reference, you can also just cut the sight part off the FSB in the future and use the remaining parts as a low-pro gas-block.

 

[CountryBoy19]

I might end up doing that and putting the FSB back on. If I have tapped out the pins on the bottom, I can install them back right?

Yeah, just make sure you get it all lined up right and put the pins in the right way (they are tapered) and you should be good to go.

 

[USMC-Johnson]

Check out the midwest industries low profile gas block. It is long enough to cover the holes that are left.

 

[indyjohn]

Sorry Craig, I've been.... away.

Those crazy PSA guys. I would be annoyed with them to the point of calling and asking them to fire the new guy that did that. But as MC6 points out, that is form & not function.

I continue to see product from them that is categorized as 'blem' & you have to work at finding the flaw, followed by 'oh, yeah, that is cosmetically unattractive'.

On that, if the barrel works for you, go!

 

[CountryBoy19]

Sorry Craig, I've been.... away.

Those crazy PSA guys. I would be annoyed with them to the point of calling and asking them to fire the new guy that did that. But as MC6 points out, that is form & not function.

I continue to see product from them that is categorized as 'blem' & you have to work at finding the flaw, followed by 'oh, yeah, that is cosmetically unattractive'.

On that, if the barrel works for you, go!

If I understand the OP correctly, he ordered an upper with a standard front site with the impression that he could just swap it out for a low-pro gas-block. That isn't true as the OP found out, the standard front site has 2 taper-pins that are drilled into the barrel and typically the barrel is not coated underneath the site. I fail to see how PSA or any of their employees are at fault for that as you've alluded to.

Of course, maybe I'm just misunderstanding how the OP got an upper with a standard front site.

 

[Craigery]

It's totally my fault for not completely understanding how the standard front sight is actually tapered to the barrel itself. I'm fine with it looking that way as long as it functions the same. I wouldn't want it to get so hot that it becomes weaker at that point. This is simply something where I will put a longer low profile gas block to continue to distribute the heat evenly. Thanks everyone!

 

[indyjohn]

If I understand the OP correctly, he ordered an upper with a standard front site with the impression that he could just swap it out for a low-pro gas-block. That isn't true as the OP found out, the standard front site has 2 taper-pins that are drilled into the barrel and typically the barrel is not coated underneath the site. I fail to see how PSA or any of their employees are at fault for that as you've alluded to.

Of course, maybe I'm just misunderstanding how the OP got an upper with a standard front site.

I didn't understand that either. Still, common INGO practice is to hold the vendor at fault and chastise them for their oversight. (insert purple as needed).

 

[Craigery]

Is there any place I can take my FSB to get cut down and reinstalled on to my barrel? I would prefer local.

 

[CountryBoy19]

Is there any place I can take my FSB to get cut down and reinstalled on to my barrel? I would prefer local.

You have a dremel tool or angle-grinder? Either of those would work.

You can get a cheap angle grinder from harbor freight as cheap as $8 if you really watch the sales and use a coupon (I've decided $8 harbor freight grinders with a couple spares on the shelf is better than having a single high-dollar grinder that is still capable of a failure that leaves you out in the cold)

 

[Craigery]

Alrighty! I got it installed after shaving the FSB down to size. I reinstalled it and the pins were still pretty tough to put in which is good! The only issue is that it looks like the gas block is canted 1 or 2 degrees to the left. This should be okay - right? I'm at work so I can't post a picture right now.

 

[CountryBoy19]

Alrighty! I got it installed after shaving the FSB down to size. I reinstalled it and the pins were still pretty tough to put in which is good! The only issue is that it looks like the gas block is canted 1 or 2 degrees to the left. This should be okay - right? I'm at work so I can't post a picture right now.

I would say yes, should be ok. It would be a bit different if you were using it for the front sight, but because you're not, it will function fine. 1-2 degrees won't lead to any major offsets that could cause problems with the gas-port etc so you're good to go.

 

[padawan]

And there is the solution! Now you've told him about the "ol' cut your fsb down for low pro" trick.

Very nice.

 

[Craigery]

Thanks for all of the help team! H ere is what you helped contribute to: