Gas block

[A. F Medic]

I was on another AR15/M16 forum and they were talking about how important it is to watch the gas block. What is the gas block? Newbie here

Information

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[KeithSmith]

The object on the front barrel that the front sight is built into. There is a gas port in the top of the barrel where the rear ring of the gas block/ front sight base is that lines up with a hole in it and the gas tube to route the gas to the bolt carrier which functions as the gas cylinder and the bolt itself functions as the piston in place of a separate gas cylinder, piston and operating rod in most other designs.

[Stevo]

I was on another AR15/M16 forum and they were talking about how important it is to watch the gas block. What is the gas block? Newbie here

If your gas block is pinned on, there is nothing to watch. And your Colt is pinned.

[GUTS]

I was wondering why someone would tell you to watch the gas block, I have never had the pins on one loosen up.

[A. F Medic]

If I remember, the hole for gas passage can become smaller due to build up. I know what a gas block is now ! THanks to all.

[Stevo]

I was wondering why someone would tell you to watch the gas block, I have never had the pins on one loosen up.

I imagine they were referring to clamp-on or set-screw gas blocks.

If I remember, the hole for gas passage can become smaller due to build up. I know what a gas block is now ! THanks to all.

That's not something you need to worry about unless you're shooting .22LR in your upper. Otherwise the gas system should be zero maintenance until you burn your gas tube out. I imagine that would take 20K+ rounds.