The Arms Guide
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry
  • Firearms Training
  • Handguns
  • Rifles
  • Gun News
  • AR-15
  • Reloading Gear
  • Gun Safes

How to Build an AR-15 Upper Receiver – Gas Block & Gas Tube

AR-15 Gas Block Installation - thearmsguide.com

May 19, 2016 by Nate Schultz (nsz85) 3 Comments

Are you following the AR-15 upper receiver “how to” series? In this post, I will be covering the gas block and gas tube installation with the ones that I chose to purchase for my AR-15. There are a tremendous amount of different low profile gas blocks available on the market today, but these two appear to be the most popular: clamp on style and set screw style. I built my AR-15 upper receiver with a clamp on style gas block. Let’s get started.

AR-15 Gas Block Installation - thearmsguide.com
Use a roll pin punch to tap the small gas tube roll pin into place.

Before you install the gas block, the first thing you will want to do is install the gas tube into the block itself. This is done by inserting the gas tube into the gas block and driving a small roll pin into place, which ensures that the gas tube isn’t easily removed. To make these steps a little easier, you may want to check out the Geissele Gas Block Roll Pin Tool and Gas Block Pin Punch Set. I will be covering these specific tools in a later article.

AR-15 Gas Block Installation - thearmsguide.com
The gas tube is held in place inside the block by a small roll pin. This is how it looks properly installed.

After the gas tube is installed properly, slide the gas block over the barrel. Be sure to check the gas tube alignment into the upper receiver and for proper alignment with the gas port in the barrel. I typically slide my bolt carrier into the upper receiver to make sure that the gas tube does not bind or snag on the gas key. It should fit without friction.

To help with aligning the gas block to the gas port on the barrel, I marked a pencil line down the center of my gas block, and down the center of the barrel. Then I lined up both marks and tightened down the screws on the gas block with some thread lock.

AR-15 Gas Block Installation - thearmsguide.com
After checking for proper alignment, I tightened down the screws and my gas block was installed.

Next week I will go over how to properly install a flash hider or muzzle break/comp. Stay tuned.

Filed Under: AR-15, How To Tagged With: AR-15, AR15, assembly, build, building, Colt, free float, gas block, gas tube, guide, How, low profile, lower, mega, mil-spec, noveske, nsz85, receiver, spikes tactical, stag, step by step, to, tutorial, upper, video

Related Posts

  • Windham Weaponry New Release: Carbon Fiber AR-15
    Windham Weaponry New Release: Carbon Fiber AR-15
  • Is There a Difference Between .223 and 5.56? - TheArmsGuide.com
    Is There a Difference Between .223 and 5.56?
  • featured image
    Field Stripping, Cleaning and Lubricating Your AR-15

About the Author

Avatar for Nate Schultz (nsz85)

Nate Schultz (nsz85) Nate Schultz is employed within the field of Law Enforcement, is an avid shooter, firearms enthusiast and hobbiest gunsmith. When he is not writing for The Arms Guide, he is producing content for his YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/nsz85

See All Nate Schultz (nsz85) Articles

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

In Case You Missed It

Best Ar 10 Upper Receiver
Rifles

6 Best AR-10 Upper Receivers – A Buyers Guide

January 11, 2021

Best Bipod For Remington 700
Rifles

Best Bipod for Remington 700 – The Arms Guide Review

January 11, 2021

Best Handguns For Women
Handguns

The 6 Best Handguns for Women – Complete Buyers Guide

January 11, 2021

Best Glock Trigger
Handguns

5 Best Aftermarket Glock Triggers

January 11, 2021

© Copyright 2021 Thearmsguide · All Rights Reserved.

  • Comms Check
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.