Clamp On vs. Set Screwed Gas Blocks

[DustyRoads91]

Ive been looking at gas blocks lately and have always been curious if there is any benefit to using one of these over the other?

 

[gpowers]

Between the two I prefer the set screw block. To me it is easier to mount them more securely than the clamp on. I much prefer a pinned block though, they are more reliable.

 

[padom]

Ive been told by a few AR smiths to always go with a clamp on. I have both and both work great....

 

[ballisticdaddy]

it was explained to me by a smith that if its a standard barrel contour to go with a clamp on block as pointing the barrel could create a hotspot but with a heavy barrel the set screw block is preferred and have less chance of hotspot

 

[The King]

I have seen very fancy guns built both ways - I have a .750 contour Lothar Walther barreled gun that shoots .4 on average and has a set screw block. And my new JP has the clamped and shoots better than that with hand loads.

the number one concern for a gun that made of excellent parts is the barrel fit within the upper. Testing has indicated that either "hammer it in" tight oversized extensions or a steel shim and loctite increases accuracy by over 30%, and red loctite alone causes an 18% accuracy increase.

 

[DustyRoads91]

Thanks for the input guys, seems generally like it may be a preference thing other then the hot spot vs. contour point ballistic brought up.

 

[Bull81]

I've used both and havnt ever been able to tell a difference as far as accuracy is concerned. I do like installing a clamp on better though it's much easier to get aligned than a set screw type in my opinion

 

[Niles Coyote]

I've been using both for a while now and all future gas blocks will be clamp on models. In my experience I see fewer fliers on target using clamps, YMMV.

 

[SuperSneakySniper]

I am not convinced that one is better over the other in terms of reliability. When properly installed, I've never witnessed a single person have his gas block fail (key term being "properly installed"). I've used each type and haven't noticed a difference between any of them performance wise. Each was put onto a different quality of barrel though, so I can't really make an accuracy comparison.

 

[L.R.Novice]

I use clamp on. I don't see a reason to put a stress concentration in the wall of a pressure vessel if I don't have to.