I've built rifles from parts kits, but have no experience with AR15s. A friend showed me his new, unfired budget AR and I noticed that the gas block appears rotated a few degrees.
There are two set screws at the bottom of the gas block, unstaked. I'm guessing the barrel was dimpled to accept those screws. They're aligned with one another, and should be aligned with the handguard M-LOK rail below, but they're not. So it's easy to see the block is rotated in relation to the barrel circumference.
I'm used to piston-driven gas systems, where a canted gas block would be problematic. But with AR15 direct impingment, I don't know. My concern is this: A hole was drilled in the top of the barrel for the gas to exit, BUT...if the hole in the gas block does not align with that hole through the barrel's upper wall, the flow of gas will be impeded leading to (perhaps) failure to cycle.
The rifle's unfired, and I'm hoping this is not going to be a problem. I found THIS LINK wherein some AR15 owner/builders don't appear too worried about it. Any advice from INGO members would be much appreciated.
There are two set screws at the bottom of the gas block, unstaked. I'm guessing the barrel was dimpled to accept those screws. They're aligned with one another, and should be aligned with the handguard M-LOK rail below, but they're not. So it's easy to see the block is rotated in relation to the barrel circumference.
I'm used to piston-driven gas systems, where a canted gas block would be problematic. But with AR15 direct impingment, I don't know. My concern is this: A hole was drilled in the top of the barrel for the gas to exit, BUT...if the hole in the gas block does not align with that hole through the barrel's upper wall, the flow of gas will be impeded leading to (perhaps) failure to cycle.
The rifle's unfired, and I'm hoping this is not going to be a problem. I found THIS LINK wherein some AR15 owner/builders don't appear too worried about it. Any advice from INGO members would be much appreciated.