AR-15 gas tube roll pin question.

[Keeperfaith]

I just put together my first AR. *Everything went pretty smooth except when I hammered the gas tube roll pin in place along w/ the gas block. *It went thru w/ no trouble but when I checked the other side (where the roll pin pushed thru to) there was a small amount of shiny metal sticking out (it then fell off). *That shiny metal was part of the gas tube that sheared off when I put the roll pin thru.

Will this small amount of metal affect the AR's functionality? *Malfunctions? Catostrophic Failures? *Or is it not a big deal?

Should I get a new gas tube & roll pin?

Thanks*

Steve Rivas

 

[rcmodel]

Well, first thing to do is drive the pin back out, take the gas tube off, and look in the end of it.

If it's pinched or smashed shut, you need a new tube.
If it isn't, you don't.

rc

 

[GI_Jared]

Should be fine, I wouldn't worry about it too much as long as the gas tube is still secure. Test fire and see if it works, nothing is going to blow apart. I have found that when installing roll pins that a little WD-40 works great to slide the roll pin into place, then the WD-40 will dry up and the roll pin will be securely in place. On a AR gas tube the spot where the roll pin inserts is in front of the "gas port", so it shouldn't interfere with operation.

 

[Powderman]

If you plan to install a lot of pins in the future, you need pin starters. These look like punches, but have hollow tips where the pin can fit and be started in with gentle force.

Second, (expecially for the gas tube roll pin) you need proper punches. Get some of good quality, and take care of them.

Never install pins by tapping on their ends. You will mushroom the pins (at best); at worst, you will end up "wallering" out the hole--making it much larger than it should be.

 

[Keeperfaith]

Thanks for the replies. I actually did you roll pin punches from Brownells. They were great in helping me put those darn roll pins in place.

 

[frankmako]

the wd-40 trick works well. i would test fire before any more work. i don't think you will have a problem.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

The portion of the gas tube which retains the roll pin is isolated from the majority of the gas tube which transfers the gas. If the bit of metal which you feel came from the tube were to alter performance, it would mean the tube was defective in the first place.

Worry not as long as the pin has tension to keep it in place.