Abstract: A gripper assembly for a coiled tubing injector, each assembly of a plurality of assemblies having a carrier adapted for mounting to the injector drive and a gripper block releasably connected to the carrier using a locking mechanism. In an embodiment a locking tab extending from one of the gripper block and carrier engages a slot of the other of the carrier or block. A locking shaft extends through the assembly to engage the locking tab and releaseably lock the block to the carrier. The locking shaft is rotatable between a locking position to engage the locking tab to prevent release from the slot and a release position to release the locking tab from the slot. The shaft is biased to the locking position.