Brownells - AR-15 Front Sight Bench Block

[moik145]

I've got a BCM upper and can not beat those f"ING pins out!!!! Don't want to take it to a gunsmith but may. Grrrr

[Whoozinator]

@moik145 Need more shock to the pin. Get a steel slate (1-2 inch thick, heavy). A 8-10mm socket. 16oz ball-peen. Punch bigger then the pins you're driving out. Grab a buddy to hold the barrel or reciever. Place the socket underneath the pin your driving out. Socket rests on the steel slate. Place punch, smack it with a good hit from the hammer. This is what I had to resort to when the bench block wasn't enough, only I ain't got a buddy. Imagine trying to hold all that at one time.

[moik145]

Pins don't come out that easy!!!!!. Darn YouTube magic!!@ they make it look so easy!!!

Just spent 2hrs beating on those pins, still didn't come out!!

[weirwolfe]

First, determine whether the pins are installed from left to right, rt to left, or are straight. I've seen all three. You'll need: 1-2lb sledge hammer, Brownells bench block, large nail set which fits over the round head of the taper pins. Fit sight tower into bench block, supporting breech end of barrel. Place nail set over taper pin. Strike once. Make sure nail set is centered on taper pin, hit again. Repeat. f surrounding areas with masking tape.

[weirwolfe]

First, determine whether the pins are installed from left to right, rt to left, or are straight. I've seen all three. You'll need: 1-2lb sledge hammer, Brownells bench block, large nail set which fits over the round head of the taper pins. Fit sight tower into bench block, supporting breech end of barrel. Place nail set over taper pin. Strike once. Make sure nail set is centered on taper pin, hit again. Repeat. f surrounding areas with masking tape so as not to damage the finish.

[MrBlister1972]

I beat the crap out of my pins and front sight until 3 AM last night. F' it!

I sent it back to Bushmaster and told them to exchange my barrel and welded on FSB for one that is truly "serviceable." With the right tools it shouldn't be such a PITA for gun owners.

I hope they get me hooked up by this weekend, as I have a match Sunday. We'll see!

[MrBlister1972]

I've used liquid wrench penetrating oil on my Bushmaster XM15-E2S and used a titanium punch with a 3 lb. hammer and can't get the taper pins to budge for $#!+

I have a Larue Tactical 7" rail I need to mount, and these pins and orange block are pissing me off!!!

[papichu10]

@3mealsaday

Can u please tell me ur secret to get my pins out?

[mhcurlee]

The front sight bench block is a complete waste of money. It's is not needed to remove the pins. My pins tapped out with very little force.

[markquimby82]

@mhcurlee I built a DPMS and the pins came out easily. I'm building a Bushmaster now and they feel like they are welded in there. Different brands have varying levels of difficulty. I definately need the block for the Bushmaster.

[3mealsaday]

With removing the pins I put the troy low pro, and a DD omega 12 over it. (carbine none the less) DD said you shouldn't do it, but I see now problems thus far. Over 1500 rds in.

[3mealsaday]

I about beat the hell out of my AR when removing the gas pin from the block. I bent 3 punches, drill bits, allen wrenches. Then suddenly it just came right out. I refuse to let a gunsmith do anything with my rifle. I know every spec on it and I know what I need to do, its just sometimes the pins can be a bit bitchy. A lot of people wont touch the block because they get afraid of the gas port being lined up. but send me a message if anyone want to know my secret of doing that.. Its real easy.

[Longcolt]

@3mealsaday I would be verry pleased if you let me know. I have some serious problems removing the pins!

[bowermate007]

@3mealsaday I'd love to know how to line up the gas port. I am replacing my front sight with a gas block and I want to know how to do things for myself. Thanks

[catdoc541]

My DPMS is being a SOB a the moment. Pins are not "tapping out" Get the Dremel warmed up!

[jsupak85]

Im trying to take out the front sight pins on my Smith and Wesson M&P ar-15 and im with yall... its a mother! Are there sites out there to find out if your particular ar has taper or straight pins or even it they are reversed?

[dp665]

have you found anything about that yet i am getting a mp 15 in 2 weeks and planning on swithing the a2 post out for a milled picitiny railed gas block.

[jsupak85]

I was unable to find anything specific for a m&p ar-15... and ended up going to plan B to install a two piece free float tube. All I could find out was that the pins "should" come out left to right. My suggestion would be for you to ask a gunsmiths advice or just go ahead and pay a gunsmith to do it for you. That's what I will do in the future bc I want to do the same mod as you. I would imagine that after a gunsmith knocks the pins out... they might be easier to get out in the futrue.

[weirwolfe]

Gander-

I can do it for you, or I can tell you how I do it. If you would like to have me handle it, just send me an email. I've done hundreds of these, mostly for people who have tried and gotten frustrated. Just reply to this and I'll explain how to do it.

Good luck

Steve

[bowermate007]

@weirwolfe I'd like to know how to get the pins out. Mine is a Stag lefty and the pins look like they go from right to left. It's a little hard to tell. The gas tube roll pin came out easy but now for hard part. I'm putting a gas block on so I don't have to worry about getting it back on. Thanks

[weirwolfe]

Are you f'n kidding me? I've removed and installed many FS blocks, and I've never, ever had the taper pins come out that easily, or install that easily either. I use this same bench block, but I can't bear to watch this guy gently tap out those taper pins. These things are a mofo to get out, and about the same to reinstall. Takes a big hammer and a steady hand. You don't TAP them out. Just my .02 cents

[gander15]

you ain't shittin man, i bought one of these bench blocks and i cannot get those damn pins outta that sob, im about to take it to a gunsmith just so i can sleep at night

[mmoble]

It depends who makes the upper. I removed one from a BCM and an LMT and with the BCM they just would not come out no matter how hard I hammered. I ended up having to use my Dremmel to cut the pins out...major pain in the a@@!

I finally got my Form1 back for my 10.5" LMT so I worked on that last night and I was able to "tap them out" with relative ease. And I wasnt using Brownells' tool; just a piece of wood under it to keep it solid.

So it depends who makes the upper.