slamfire51
03-24-2011, 05:00 PM
Making a Gasblock/Sight Combo (Rifles and Pistols)
Like a lot of builders, I am not blessed with a fully equipped machine shop.
These modifications are done with basic tools.
I started modifying these two parts because factory equivalents are very expensive,
and to allow the barrel length on my pistols to be as short as possible.
This combo can also be used on a rifle.
Items needed:
AK front sight base
AK gasblock (with or without bayo lug)
Dremel w/cutoff disc
White out pen
Flat bed scanner (optional, but helpful)
Welder or 1400 degree silver solder
MAPP torch (for soldering silver solder)
Large steel clamp
Here are the steps to make a combo.
#1
Using a flat bed scanner, place the front sight base and gas block on scanner.
Scan and print.
Cut the images out (large openings in FS base too)
Lay the image of the GB on top of the FS image. Align the center of the drum of the FS to the flat on top of the gasblock.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/scangbfs001.jpg
Mark where the GB contacts the FS base with an ink pen.
Now, cut the FS image where you marked it.
Save the top portion of the FS base image
Take the image of the FS base and align it on the actual FS base.
Use the white out pen and mark where you cut the image.
Flip FS base image and the actual FS and mark the opposite side.
You are now ready to cut the actual FS base with the dremel and cut-off disc.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/fsightcutting008.jpg
Now, take the Dremel and carefully cut the FS base where you marked it. Be sure to cut on the lines.
This is what it should look like when done.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/fsightcut001.jpg
#2
Now to ready the gas block to accept the sight.
If you have a barrel stub laying around (if not use a bench vice), slip the gas block on it to where it is semi tight to prevent GB from slipping around.
Take the cut FS base and align the center if the windage drum with the top flat area of the GB.
Mark the location of the bottom portion of the FS base and mark the GB with a white out pen.
Now, cut a slot upward from this point upward as wide as the FS base is across the GB.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/lastgb-scombo009-2.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/lastgb-scombo015-2.jpg
Now, set the FS base on GB and check for fit and proper alignment. This is important because windage
will be easier to adjust. And, if not aligned vertically, the FS will be canted.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/lastgb-scombo021-2.jpg
Put the FS and GB together and put in a C clamp as shown. Be sure everything is aligned.
You are now ready to weld/solder parts together.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/lastgb-scombo023-2.jpg
Here is one before sand blasting the flux from the combo. You get the idea of what it will look like.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/frontsite2002.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/8-15-2005OSAKPISTOL006-1.jpg
Like a lot of builders, I am not blessed with a fully equipped machine shop.
These modifications are done with basic tools.
I started modifying these two parts because factory equivalents are very expensive,
and to allow the barrel length on my pistols to be as short as possible.
This combo can also be used on a rifle.
Items needed:
AK front sight base
AK gasblock (with or without bayo lug)
Dremel w/cutoff disc
White out pen
Flat bed scanner (optional, but helpful)
Welder or 1400 degree silver solder
MAPP torch (for soldering silver solder)
Large steel clamp
Here are the steps to make a combo.
#1
Using a flat bed scanner, place the front sight base and gas block on scanner.
Scan and print.
Cut the images out (large openings in FS base too)
Lay the image of the GB on top of the FS image. Align the center of the drum of the FS to the flat on top of the gasblock.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/scangbfs001.jpg
Mark where the GB contacts the FS base with an ink pen.
Now, cut the FS image where you marked it.
Save the top portion of the FS base image
Take the image of the FS base and align it on the actual FS base.
Use the white out pen and mark where you cut the image.
Flip FS base image and the actual FS and mark the opposite side.
You are now ready to cut the actual FS base with the dremel and cut-off disc.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/fsightcutting008.jpg
Now, take the Dremel and carefully cut the FS base where you marked it. Be sure to cut on the lines.
This is what it should look like when done.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/fsightcut001.jpg
#2
Now to ready the gas block to accept the sight.
If you have a barrel stub laying around (if not use a bench vice), slip the gas block on it to where it is semi tight to prevent GB from slipping around.
Take the cut FS base and align the center if the windage drum with the top flat area of the GB.
Mark the location of the bottom portion of the FS base and mark the GB with a white out pen.
Now, cut a slot upward from this point upward as wide as the FS base is across the GB.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/lastgb-scombo009-2.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/lastgb-scombo015-2.jpg
Now, set the FS base on GB and check for fit and proper alignment. This is important because windage
will be easier to adjust. And, if not aligned vertically, the FS will be canted.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/lastgb-scombo021-2.jpg
Put the FS and GB together and put in a C clamp as shown. Be sure everything is aligned.
You are now ready to weld/solder parts together.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/lastgb-scombo023-2.jpg
Here is one before sand blasting the flux from the combo. You get the idea of what it will look like.
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/frontsite2002.jpg
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c80/Canis-latrans/8-15-2005OSAKPISTOL006-1.jpg