I'm curious

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ivplay

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I am new to the AR type rifles so I have a question about my new M&P 15T. There is a stainless steel looking tube above the barrel under the rail. Just curious, what is it and what purpose does it have. Remember i am new to all this!:confused: lol
 
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Its the gas tube.

Its purpose is to direct gas from the exploding cartridge to the bolt carrier group to cycle the action of the weapon.

Rule 303
 
Hello, Correct me if I am wrong guys,

But to the New Guy, DO NOT EVER spray any liquid or oil down this tube.

Leave the tube bone dry, and under 30,000 psi, it pretty much self cleans itself.
 
No fluids need to be in the gas tube for it to operate. And there is a bit of a debate as to how often you need to clean out the gas tube. Some people never clean them. Others clean them out each time they clean the firearm. I go with the middle group. It gets cleaned out if there is an issue. I do clean my key Everytime the rifle gets cleaned
 
There are AR's that utilize the gas cylinder plug as used on almost all other battle rifles; you may want to consider one of those if you must have an AR.
 
OK, lets see if I can make this make sense to you.

An AR-15 style of action uses some of the gases from the fired cartridge going down the barrel to literally push the bolt back to cycle the firearm. Because the gas is doing the job of cycling the action, this system is called a "Direct gas impingement. The gases have to flow for the action to work.

A piston system as seen on battle rifles such as the M1 Garand have a
metal rod that makes the action cycle. The rod actually shoves the bolt back and a spring makes it come back into battery(the closed position).

There are AR-15 platfroms that use a piston driven system(read expensive). The gas system has been working since 1958. For the most part, Some people had issues with it in the 60's and 70's.

In short, stay with what you got. I have a 15T and it is a very reliable firearm. Shoot it as is till you have a frim grasp of what every part is and what it does.
 
Piston system was also used in the AK47 (lets not forget this). The AK47 has as well been a proven battle rifle since 1949. And of course we all know how reliable the AK is. Dont let that say a gas system isn't just as good. I personally have a gas system in my AR's and I wouldnt trade them for a piston system no matter what.

I just wanted to shed light on the Piston system as being battle proven. Maybe not necessarily in the AR format. But the system itself has proven reliable over many years.
 
To the OP .. not trying to be rude at all, but you have a NRA and a NAVY banner next to your user name, and you dont know how an AR-15 works? Something doesnt jive there to me. Like I said not trying to be rude, just a bit confused. So many people are buying these weapons, and no idea what they have. It is actually a little scary. Is this your 1st personal weapon? None the less, welcome to the forum.
 
No offense might to you, Ivplay, but Fan72, it's the new navy, keyboards and computer screens. The days of salty air and sweaty work are over.
 
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