Syrac Ordnance sent us one of its new adjustable, low-profile gas blocks, designed for the AR15 family of weapons a few months back. We've been sitting on this waiting for a chance to get it built and take it shooting. Since it seems we keep getting sidetracked with other projects at the range, we'll show the adjustable gas block now and write up something else once we get a chance to get enough rounds down range with it in the future.
The Syrac Ordnance Adjustable Low Profile Gas Block is manufactured of 416SS, and Melonite finished for durability. The barrel diameter is 0.750", and the gas block weighs in at 1.72 ounces with a height of 1.342" which should make it low enough to fit under just about any AR15 rail we've seen. Installation is straightforward, and attachment is done via set screws. For those people who don't feel a set screw installation is enough, you could drill and pin it yourself, though the Melonite finish may mean you need a nice sharp bit.
Why would you want an adjustable gas block? The answer is really pretty simple. If you like tailoring your weapon for various ammo loads, this will do it for you. Shooting weak ammunition or extra hot ammo creates reliability issues, primarily from either too much or too little gas to run the weapon properly. While I will make the mandatory PSA that shooting ammo which is excessively overpowered or too weak can create safety problems, I think anyone reading this should be smart enough to understand that already. The adjustable gas block allows you to tailor the gas setting, which creates a softer shooting weapon allowing for faster follow up shots. For my guys who have carried, fired or played around with a variety of military weapons outside of the M4/ AR15, this is a feature you are already familiar with. In fact, the idea of an adjustable gas block goes way back and was seen before 1947 where it appeared on the FN FAL.
Use of the Syrac Ordnance Adjustable Low Profile Gas Block involves test firing the weapon with your desired ammunition and adjusting the set screw on the front of the block. Pressing in the detent allows the set screw to turn freely as well as lock it in place when it is no longer depressed. With a properly clean and lubed weapon, insert one round into your magazine and fire. With the gas block wide open, the weapon will shoot softer — but will not cycle properly — and will not lock the bolt to the rear on an empty weapon. Continue to tighten the gas block set screw until the weapon reliably locks to the rear after the last round has been fired from the magazine.
The Syrac Ordnance Adjustable Low Profile Gas Block has a street price of $99, and is available through http://www.mountsplus.com
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