gas rings?

[Blankwaffe]

I had a similar issue with some Armalite gas rings awhile back that had a service life below 500 rounds.In my opinion they were made with a soft material and very jagged edges.Both of which allowed the rings to wear at an increasing rate and they collapsed losing tension.The ends of the gas rings were slash cut like // rather than the typical tear drop shape.I personally suspected them to be import parts as the gas key screws on the BCG's were YFS import as well.I made the switch to using the dreaded McFarland rings and have not had any issues since.

I use the gas ring test that is done by standing the BCG bolt face down myself.Honestly I can't remember where I picked it up,but Ive been doing it well before I had a computer or internet(twenty years roughly),much less gun forum reading.
I was either shown by some ex-military folks(namely my uncles,Vietnam era vets) or it may have been the department armorer(also a Vietnam vet) when I was working as a LEO.So its been floating around for awhile.Ive asked several times over the years on the other site how the gas ring test should be done and you get both procedures in about a 50/50 mix of replies.So I don't know if one is best,right or wrong.But they both really have the same end result.
I like the table top procedure because in my opinion its an early predictor of gas ring wear.Probably a bit excessive but I do it.

[Quib]

I like the table top procedure because in my opinion its an early predictor of gas ring wear. Probably a bit excessive but I do it.

If anything, the “table top” method will have you replacing rings a bit earlier than the -23 method, simply because the carrier is heavier than the bolt.

[Captains1911]

I've found this interactive animation to be very helpful, found on Bushmaster website:

http://www.bushmaster.com/anatomy_bushmaster.asp

[Quib]

I've found this interactive animation to be very helpful, found on Bushmaster website:

http://www.bushmaster.com/anatomy_bushmaster.asp

That BM animation is pretty good. At least it shows the gas passage through the carrier key, and into the cavity mentioned above in my FM23-9 excerpt.

In the screen capture below, I highlighted the bolt ring position in yellow. Just to the rear of the rings, on the bolt tail, is the cavity. This is the area of the bolt that carbon builds up on.

[alt154shiver]

I've found this interactive animation to be very helpful, found on Bushmaster website:

http://www.bushmaster.com/anatomy_bushmaster.asp

Thanks you sir! I came across that animation a long time ago but lost the link. It is really good. Especially for teaching the cycle of operations.

[cz777]

[QUOTE=Blankwaffe;14349]says this and why '' the dreaded McFarland rings '' are they good or not?? well the carbine i was shotting on saturday didnt short cycle at tall with ''bad '' rings -i think the fouling help run her along ???

[Eric]

I have a couple ARs that are equipped with the McFarland gas rings and have not experienced any problems with them. New ones typically fit rather tight and I would suggest running them with heavy lube at first. I can't say that they are better than a decent new set of 3 standard gas rings though. Cost is under $4.

I too had one AR that ate a set of rings in less than 500 rounds, for no apparent reason. Malfunctions had not started, but they failed the check and were replaced. I think that worn gas rings are more likely to create a function problem when the system is already stressed from other issues like the weapon being dirty, dry, hot, etc.

[Quib]

I think that worn gas rings are more likely to create a function problem when the system is already stressed from other issues like the weapon being dirty, dry, hot, etc.

That’s my whole take on ring gap alignment as well.

In a clean, well maintained weapon, gap alignment should be a non-issue.

Start tossing in other variables such as,

- lack of lube
- extremely dirty weapon
- partially blocked gas path
- worn rings

Add in some of those variables, then you might be set up for a failure. And even then, I think we are talking in each case, the very extremes. Will the average AR owner see these extreme conditions? I personally don’t think so.

[federalist22]

Quib,

Well put on rings. I second your sentiment. Knowing that I take care of my weapon (clean, lube, and inspect when cleaning), rings are just not something I worry about.

[Blankwaffe]

If anything, the “table top” method will have you replacing rings a bit earlier than the -23 method, simply because the carrier is heavier than the bolt.

Yeap,thats what I meant to say and why I do it.

[Blankwaffe]

[QUOTE=cz777;14360]

says this and why '' the dreaded McFarland rings '' are they good or not?? well the carbine i was shotting on saturday didnt short cycle at tall with ''bad '' rings -i think the fouling help run her along ???

I was trying to be sarcastic with the "dreaded McFarland gas ring" comment,sorry for the confusion.Alot of folks do not like the one piece McFarland ring and say they cause issues due to fit,tolerance etc..
That said Ive had excellent results with the McFarland rings my weapons with no related function issues.Once the ring is broken in they seem to not wear very much at all,so they are at least durable.

[spence.smith]

In the 30 years following the Vietnam War, the Army existed mainly as a peacetime force. The 1991 Gulf War was an armor-dominated fight, lasting only 100 hours. Most soldiers put their rifles to little or no use. But after Sept. 11, 2001, soldiers found themselves fighting protracted shooting wars in the harshest regions on the planet.
M16 rifles and newer M4 carbines no longer were stored in clean arms room racks. They were now a soldier?s constant companion, exposed to the super-fine dust and sand that blow across the desert landscapes of Afghanistan and Iraq. Still, the Army is quick to blame most M16 family malfunctions on soldiers not cleaning weapons properly.
So why then is it so wrong to pursue a more reliable assault rifle that holds up better (reliability) under the extreme conditions we're engaged in now?
Is it so wrong to admit maybe from time to time we do need to adopt new methods, patterns, tactics, and equipment?

[spence.smith]

Perfect Advice - I didn't know that one-piece gas rings were available - new to the AR-15, wanted to add one to the collection - mostly an AK-47 guy, but each has its place.

I've ordered the DPMS one-piece gas ring and I'll let you know how it works out.

After I get everything debugged I'll write up a summary of my build experience - including the name of the kit supplier.

The reason I wanted to build, instead of purchasing a completed weapon, is that I want to learn how to tweak and debug the AR platform. Also, given that I purchased the cheapest kit on the market, I fully expected to spend some time "dialing it in".

Throughout the shopping process and purchase the supplier has been extremely easy to work with. Did not contact the supplier about the bent gas ring because I suspected they'd just have me send the entire upper back which would deprive me of the learning experience.

[david.carroll01]

Perfect Advice - I didn't know that one-piece gas rings were available - new to the AR-15, wanted to add one to the collection - mostly an AK-47 guy, but each has its place.I've ordered the DPMS one-piece gas ring and I'll let you know how it works out.After I get everything debugged I'll write up a summary of my build experience - including the name of the kit supplier.The reason I wanted to build, instead of purchasing a completed weapon, is that I want to learn how to tweak and debug the AR platform. Also, given that I purchased the cheapest kit on the market, I fully expected to spend some time "dialing it in".Throughout the shopping process and purchase the supplier has been extremely easy to work with. Did not contact the supplier about the bent gas ring because I suspected they'd just have me send the entire upper back which would deprive me of the learning experience.

[Specialized Armament]

The 3 ring system allows each ring to independently conform to the bore of the bolt carrier, the one piece ring cant due to its design. I'd be willing to bet that one piece ring will wear out faster than a 3 ring set.