NOTE: A word on performing of the Gas Ring Serviceability Check

There seems to be an alternate method of performing the Gas Ring Serviceability Check, a method I see quite often referred to on the various AR15 discussion boards.

This alternate method involves standing the cleaned and stripped bolt and carrier on a flat surface such as a table top, and observing if the bolt carrier collapses onto the bolt under the weight of the carrier.

While I have spoken to very knowledgeable individuals who have attended industry sponsored AR15 Armorers Courses where this method was instructed, I have yet to find this alternate method published in any manufacturers maintenance publication.

My personal view on the alternate method:

It should provide the same results as the published method, but may result in changing the gas rings a bit earlier than that of the published method. This simply being, the carrier is heavier than the bolt and will most likely collapse sooner onto the bolt verses the bolt falling free from the carrier when suspended.