Question about gas rings

[ChCx2744]

Okay this is a bit confusing so I will try to make it as clear as possible:

You know when the bolt carrier is in the forward position with the dust cover open? You know how you can see 2 vertical holes? When you charge the bolt, I think like half way back you can see the gas rings become visible for a split second, meaning I guess the holes are moving past them. My question is, when you reassemble the bolt carrier group after cleaning it, do you HAVE to position the gas rings to where the 3 "openings" SHOULD be lined up with those 2 holes I mentioned earlier? I don't mean lining up the 3 SPACES in between each gas ring, because I know that the spaces are NOT supposed to be lined up on the bolt itself; I'm talking about the part that is visible through the 2 holes when you charge the fully assembled upper. The reason I ask is because obviously the 2 holes are there to release the gas from the gas rings (thier purpose), but I am worried because I think that if the spaces in between the gas rings are not aligned with the 2 holes, then gas won't dissipate properly and my gun will jam up...Am I being paranoid? Is this something that I should have already known...? HALP

 

[ripcurlksm]

as you said, space out the holes in the rings 1/3 distance apart and you're good to go

 

[MCMXI]

Do you know that you can buy a one-piece stainless steel gas ring for your AR bolt? It twists on kind of like putting a key on a key ring.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=163933

I have one on my DPMS bolt and I like it since there are no alignment issues to worry or think about. Also, it's a lot easier to install and remove compared to the three rings which often get damaged when being removed.

 

[taliv]

you do NOT need to align the gas rings. you can put them all together and your gun will run same as if they're 1/3rd apart.

you do not need to do anything unusual to line the bolt up in the carrier. as long as the bolt is positioned so the cam pin fits in there, then you're fine.

 

[ChCx2744]

Thanks for the replies guys..and I don't know about that one piece gas ring...Someone told me it was better to just keep spare gas rings and replace them as they break or start to malfunction...can anyone elaborate on this? The gas rings on an AR make me very nervous, because well...as small, fragile and insignificant as they seem...if they fail then your entire gun jams up and stops working...

 

[rino451]

I would have to say that you're awfully early in your AR experience/shooting curve to be worrying about gas rings failing. Don't worry, be happy, go shooting. Go buy one of the repair kits (if you wan find on ein stock somewhere) that has all the small parts and springs if it'll make you happy. I did three years ago, and I think that I've only pulled parts out of it to loan to people putting lowers together.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

An AR can run with just one ring in an emergency, so aligning the gas rings is a waste of time.

 

[rcmodel]

+1 to some of the above.

NO need to align them any certain way, because they start moving around as soon as you start shooting anyway.

The gun will run fine with one missing, and may well run with two gone.

They don't just break and fall out anyway. Way more get broke from rough-house cleaning procedures then ever got broke from use.

There is no need to remove them.
Just leave them alone until they need to be replaced.

They do eventually wear out after thousands of rounds.

To check that, pull the bolt foreward in the carrier and stand it on end.

If the bolt carrier slides down over the bolt of it's own weight, the gas rings need to be replaced.

Until then, fugedaboutit!

rc

 

[ChCx2744]

rino451:

If there is ANY kit/tool I'm going to buy for it, it's gonna be that tool that removes these damn handgaurds. These sumbiches are hard to get off

 

[MrCleanOK]

A handguard tool is nice. You can buy one or make it yourself. I think there is a video out on youtube that shows how to make your own.

A buddy to lend you an extra set of hands works just as well if you can find somebody to help you do it.

 

[briansmithwins]

No need to worry about gas rings, just get a spare set for a couple bucks so that they'll be handy. I carry a spare headspaced bolt as it has all the parts that normally fail on an AR.

AS far as checking the gas ring wear, the test from the TM is that the bolt must not fall out of the bolt carrier under its own weight with the cam pin removed. BSW

 

[rcmodel]

Thats pretty much the same thing as the test I suggested in post #8.

Except you can do that test with the bolt carrier assembled.

If it will compress of it's own weight assembled, it's time to replace the rings, or will be shortly.

rc

 

[ChCx2744]

I have another question about gas rings!

Where is a good place/are some good places online or in RL to purchase some extra gas rings? Oh and 1858, thanks for the link, that looks like an interesting product.

 

[Jeremy2171]

When you've shot about 10k rounds THEN start worrying about the gas rings. As posted above...if the bolt won't hold the weight of the carrier then replace them. Even at that point it will still function for the most part.

 

[taliv]

you can buy gas rings at brownells or bravoco and pretty much any place that stocks AR parts