which "gasbusting" charging handle works best?

I have no info for you, just piggybacking only your question. Is there one that is better for lefties?

None of them significantly mitigate gas-in-the-face from shooting suppressed SBR's.

The overwhelming amount of gas blows out of the breech when the bolt cycles. Only a small amount escapes around the charging handle.

I had the "Gasbuster" model and it didn't help a bit with the eye-burning issues when shooting the suppressed SBR in still air.

Screen shot from random youtube vid.
Consistent with my personal experience.

You might want to try the PRI "gas-buster" CH, but as was said, it's a half-measure at best. You'll still get some amount of felt-gas in the face.

Some install an XP recoil spring along with either an H-2 or H-3 buffer, testing each for reliability, and then run the heaviest buff that the action will cycle reliably when shooting that particular ammo.

The theory is that the heavier recoil set-up delays the speed at which the bolt carrier cycles, and therefore somewhat diminishes the gas being spewed back with it from the suppressor (which is essential over-gassing the D.I. system).

I never shoot without eyepro -- especially when shooting suppressed. Just never been an issue for me. But I can see how it'd be worse for a lefty.

I'd suggest trying a heavier buffer to give it a few more milliseconds so more gas can vent out the front. IMHO the extra strength recoil spring is a waste of time. Is it an AR-15 or M16 carrier? The extra mass of the M16 carrier also helps.

When I combine my LMT with my SpecWar, I get hit hard and regular eye pro doesn't help. Gotta use goggles on that thing or else. I've never tried a different charging handle or any modification either though.

They make a gas buster forward assist but that would be miserable for a lefty.

I may drill vent holes on the left side of my upper.

RTV Dam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQIK_tbiN5whttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQIK_tbiN5w

You can also do the "Gashole" modification, drilling into the right side of the charging handle which works pretty well and costs a whole lot less than a replacement charging handle.



This can be done on the opposite side,for you lefties, but you must take the latch and spring out first, drill it out as big as you can, then reassemble. It works as good as the PRI and doesn't cost as much.

Geez. With that much gas blow back, it might be worth it to switch to a piston upper.

USAF_Vet said:

Geez. With that much gas blow back, it might be worth it to switch to a piston upper.

Click to expand...

An adjustable gas block would be a cheaper option to try first, and it might make things last longer. I think most ARs are overgassed anyway.

Geez. With that much gas blow back, it might be worth it to switch to a piston upper.

Click to expand...

When 90% of the gas that you eat when shooting a suppressed AR comes back down the barrel, and out through the breech, how does the piston mechanism mitigate that?

Drilling a "gas hole" in the side of the CH to vent the gas out to the right (or left) sounds like a simple and effective mod.

Possibly it operates to vent gas in somewhat the same way as the "Hatcher hole" modification that was done to Springfield 1903 receivers?

PRI "gas-buster" has worked just fine for me on a suppressed 10.5" SBR. I feel little to no blowback. I felt an uncomfortable amount without the PRI charging handle.

Hmm, I tried my Saker 762 on my midlength gas 16in AR the other day and aside from cases ejecting further forward didn't notice any bad behavior. Is this mostly a problem for lefties, or SBRs?

Outdoors, maybe that helped. After reading about GTF problems with suppressors on AR'S, I was expecting issues, but just didn't notice any problems. I only fired 30 or so rounds the other day, so that's far from conclusive.

You can also do the "Gashole" modification, drilling into the right side of the charging handle which works pretty well and costs a whole lot less than a replacement charging handle.

Click to expand...

RJRivero:

What drill bit size was used to make that "gas hole"?

USAF_Vet said:

Geez. With that much gas blow back, it might be worth it to switch to a piston upper.

Click to expand...

I still get a ton of gas suppressed from my mid-length piston upper. I think the silencer is acting as a gas reservoir which drains both for and aft after the bullet and case are gone.

Mike

The RTV sealant method works well. I also have an Innovative Arms Warfighter Adjustable Receiver on my 11.5" and it helps a lot. It's not really an option unless you're building an upper from scratch, though.