Gas Rings, How do you know?

[oneyeopn]

Ok over the months I have read of people melting their gas rings, I have read of one person breaking a gas ring and some people replace them because they are worn out. I have passed the 3k round count and my rifle is still functioning like it should. How do you know it is time to replace the gas rings or is it just a preventative maintenance measure. I have a spare set in my repair parts but if they aren't bad I didn't want to just replace them unless it is something that should be done. So if someone could please give me input on this I would deeply appreciate it.

 

[philevans]

extended bolt in bolt carrier group, stand bolt on flat surface, if bolt slides down, need to replace rings. this came from ar15.com forum.

 

[oneyeopn]

I pass that test. I was just wondering. Thanks Phil that is something I will start doing when I clean the rifle.

 

[gunsandjeeps]

This is funny Grover.I watched a guy do that at the gun shop this afternoon to a used AR he was going to buy. I asked him what he was doing and he told me the same thing that Phil said. When I got online and saw the question you had asked and read the answer it made me laugh. What are the odds of that? Seeing is believing !!!!

 

[TangoFoxtrot]

Ok over the months I have read of people melting their gas rings, I have read of one person breaking a gas ring and some people replace them because they are worn out. I have passed the 3k round count and my rifle is still functioning like it should. How do you know it is time to replace the gas rings or is it just a preventative maintenance measure. I have a spare set in my repair parts but if they aren't bad I didn't want to just replace them unless it is something that should be done. So if someone could please give me input on this I would deeply appreciate it.

Like philevans said about extending your bolt in the BCG, then watch to see if it stays out or falls in. So if your good don't fix it if it ain't broke. Its good you do have spare rings just in case...now I got to go out and get me some.

 

[Maddmax]

Like philevans said about extending your bolt in the BCG, then watch to see if it stays out or falls in. So if your good don't fix it if it ain't broke. Its good you do have spare rings just in case...now I got to go out and get me some.

That's the trick. Always have spare parts on hand and nothing will break.(pssst,get a couple firing pins too ).

True. If it ain't broke,don't fix it.

 

[Maddmax]

Ok over the months I have read of people melting their gas rings.

Melted ??? Makes you wonder how hard they were pushing their AR. I have spare's too. They are some tough looking material and don't feel/look like they'd just melt none too easy.

 

[oneyeopn]

I have a complete bolt repair kit. Has anyone tried the 1 piece ring, I see them advertised and wonder if they are better or not?

 

[Maddmax]

I have a complete bolt repair kit. Has anyone tried the 1 piece ring, I see them advertised and wonder if they are better or not?

I saw those too. They look like a tight rapped flat spring ? When I got my spares (bought two sets of 3) for my AR's. The "slots" are made not to line up in a straight line/hole. They are supposed to be stagered. That way the gas pressure is equal blowing through,much like stagering rings on an engine piston to keep the oil presure/lube oil equal for all around lubracation.

I can't see how that one piece could work unless it's "slotted" in 3 (or more) places around the ring and I couldn't find any reviews on it. Also looks like it "could" be a bear to put on. I'd like to hear more before I'd try one. Could be the up and coming thing or the next giant dud.

 

[philevans]

I saw those too. They look like a tight rapped flat spring ? When I got my spares (bought two sets of 3) for my AR's. The "slots" are made not to line up in a straight line/hole. They are supposed to be stagered. That way the gas pressure is equal blowing through,much like stagering rings on an engine piston to keep the oil presure/lube oil equal for all around lubracation.

I can't see how that one piece could work unless it's "slotted" in 3 (or more) places around the ring and I couldn't find any reviews on it. Also looks like it "could" be a bear to put on. I'd like to hear more before I'd try one. Could be the up and coming thing or the next giant dud.

those one piece rings are called McFarland gas rings, looks like a split ring key ring. on another ar15.com forum there is a discussion about "premium gas rings" -one piece, or spikes. much controversy about one piece gas rings versus staid old school reliable 3 rings.

 

[George9]

Ya I picked up a set of gas rings to have on hand too "I'm old school stuck with the 3 piece set" , a firing pin key, a firing pin from Brownells. Firing pin is a High Standard ARC963039 very nice high polished finish looks HQ..Also extra HD extractor spring and extractor O rings "Donuts", set of 5. Also picked up a in the stock cleaning kit. extra mags.Brownells 30 rd mags look great with the green no tilt mil spec followers. I thought the extra parts may be good to have on hand in case it becomes a SHTF scenario some day.. I'm sure I'll be ordering more spare parts too! George

 

[rojodiablo]

Melted ??? Makes you wonder how hard they were pushing their AR. I have spare's too. They are some tough looking material and don't feel/look like they'd just melt none too easy.

THIS. Grover, I am at 11k on my Sport, the rings are just fine.

I have seen one guy burn up the rings. (He CG inside badly)
I asked him how much oil did he put on the rings, and said "If you put oil on the rings, they will get dirty and gum up the rifle."
A $150 way to learn a lesson......... If you oil the rings a little, they will be good for darn near forever.

 

[Mack]

Oil them a little? If you want reliable function then oil them a lot. If you want to keep her running for thousands of rounds without cleaning squirt a little oil in the pressure relief holes on the bolt carrier every now and then. AR's run best wet. Do you know what the gas rings are for?

 

[George9]

Believe there for a seal, kind a like the way piston rings work on a internal combustion engine work. They seal most of the gas in for good bolt operation yes they need some lube on them just like piston rings do! George

 

[Mack]

Acutally that was a trick question, they are a seal like piston rings but not to seal gas in. When you fire a round and gas bleeds into the gas tube and then the carrier key the pressure builds behind the rings until you have more pressure behind the bolt than in the chamber when the bullet leaves the barrel. This pushes the bolt forward to relieve locking force on the bolt lugs which aids in unlocking the bolt and case extraction. Eugene Stoner was a true genuis and the M16 was a finely balanced system, with the 20" barrel gas port was in the right place and you had enough barrel past the port for needed dwell time. That is one reason so many problems showed up once people starting messing with things.

 

[George9]

So your saying the gas rings helps in keeping the bolt closed till pressures have went down far enough for safe disengagement of locking lugs on the bolt so the process can start! Cool never thought of it like that before! Thank you! Great info! George

 

[phreddy]

How do you remove the rings? I have never done that or seen it done.

 

[oneyeopn]

How do you remove the rings? I have never done that or seen it done.

I havent figure that out myself, but when the time comes I bet someone will know.

 

[rojodiablo]

How do you remove the rings? I have never done that or seen it done.

Dental picks are really helpful tools when cleaning and working on any firearm. 2 picks, gently but firmly pulling apart get the edge of the ring open enough to slip over the edge of the bolt. Wind it off much like you see a guy wind off a tire at the tire shop, once you do it it gets easy and quick.

They are serious spring material, and as such, I have had them take leave of absence from the table where I was working, and they spent some time hiding in the carpet on the other side of the room!!!!

 

[Maddmax]

How do you remove the rings? I have never done that or seen it done.

A set of small Snap Ring Pliers with the smallest pin tips should do it.