[jpcdmd]

Tried removing the gas tube on my P556 with SWAT rails and it was binding when rotating the tube counter clockwise. I could rotate it the opposite way (clockwise, when looking at it from the front) and it would not bind, but of course it would only pull out a small distance before hitting the flash hider.

If I tried to remove it by rotating the notch down toward the barrel (the correct way), the tube would quickly grab and bind tightly and could not be rotated all the way so the notch was pointed downward. It also would not budge if I tried to pull it forward. I never had any problem removing the tube on my SWAT rifle, it slid right out. I can't figure out what it is binding on. Anybody else have this problem?

Rotating notch down binds. This is rotated as far as it will go.

Rotating notch other way slides freely

 

[razcob]

The gas tube on my Oct. 09 P556 w/quad rails comes out with a little wiggling, after I turn it 90 degrees counter clockwise (with the gas tube indent in line with the barrel). Try removing the quad rails, you may see what you are binding with.

Also, did your P556 come with folding front sight? What is the manufacture date?

 

[jpcdmd]

Yes it came with the flip front sight. I think it is an older model, I bought it new from some guy back in march '09. Serial number is TP 0028XX if I recall.

It seems like it is binding on the rails somehow, I just can't see exactly where. I'm hesitant to take the rails off, they were a pain to remove on my Swat rifle. Incidentally, I have the Troy rail just sitting here, I bought it but think I like the look of the Sig rails better.

 

[jalso]

I'll take that Troy rail off your hands if you'd like.

 

[Covert Channels]

You have to take your rail off in order to remove the gas tube. Even with the factory Sig stocks (classic, fish gill, or SWAT), the top rail has to come off in order for the gas tube to come out.

You can clean the inside of the tube using a 12 guage bore snake, or a large patch on a rod without having to take it off. I do this sometimes, and for a deep cleaning, I remove the gas tube about every 5 cleanings.

Every factory 556 I have seen binds when trying to remove the tube with the stocks on. Even the Troy and Samson aftermarket rails have this issue.

 

[jjksutton]

I can get my gas tube out with the rails on with no problems. But what you probably need to do is get the rails off and file down the tang just a touch so they (the rails) don't cause issues anymore. Mine were a huge pain to get off the first time, but with the tang filed down just a tiny bit they pose no issues now.

 

[themadscientist]

I didn't have to pull the rails off my swat to get the tube out. It was very tight though and explicatives were uttered. :wink:

I have a pistol though, perhaps the rifle is a little different?

 

[pighunter]

You shouldn't have to remove your forend to take out the gas tube, at least with the factory forend. I don't know about the samson or troy rails, as I prefer the factory ones, and have no experience with the samson or troy. I have noticed though that if the rifle is really dirty, it is difficult to rotate the gas tube all the way, but still possible. The only thing I can think of is that the lugs on your gas tube that lock into the rail may be dirty from the bleeder holes in the gas tube blowing residue into the recesses in the forend. Then again, I'm not sure if that would block it from turning.