Gas ring replacement question

AR-15 » Troubleshooting

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Gas ring replacement question

Posted: 6/20/2009 10:32:50 AM EDT

Is there a suggested time/ number of rounds where gas rings should be replaced. FYI, I am familiar with the test that involves standing the BCG on the bolt-face.

Thanks,
HE'D

Posted: 6/20/2009 11:20:34 AM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
FYI, I am familiar with the test that involves standing the BCG on the bolt-face.

Thanks,
HE'D

I'm not, what is that test?

And, how do you replace the gas rings? Special tool?

Posted: 6/20/2009 2:11:44 PM EDT

[#2]

I believe the test is you stand the bolt/carrier on end (extended) and if the carrier slides down its time to replace the rings

Posted: 6/20/2009 2:47:49 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
I believe the test is you stand the bolt/carrier on end (extended) and if the carrier slides down its time to replace the rings

You are correct!!!

Posted: 6/20/2009 5:00:48 PM EDT

[#4]

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=7&t=446771

Posted: 6/20/2009 5:58:24 PM EDT

[#5]

How does one replace worn gas rings?

Posted: 6/20/2009 6:09:16 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
How does one replace worn gas rings?

Lift each ring up by its gap, pull it to the side a little bit, and spin it off the bolt. It's hard to explain, but easy to show in person.

Posted: 6/20/2009 8:39:35 PM EDT

[#7]

Using your thumb nail, start the slit end just slightly out of the bolt channel, then ride the ring every so slightly out of the channel around the bolt to glide it out of the channel. If you try to open the ring too much out of the gap all at one, chances are you will snap it.

Posted: 6/21/2009 6:00:35 AM EDT

[#8]

Question Folks that's not being answered. How many rounds seem to wear these rings out? I've been shooting my 14.5 Bushy for 2 1/2 years alot. Many thousands of rounds. I clean after every shooting session except in the field. I keep the carbon off and a wet bolt. All is stock save for the "O" ring around the extractor spring. My little gun just keeps on running. When should I change "apart from the carrier stand" or is that the ONLY criteria?

Posted: 6/21/2009 6:03:31 AM EDT

[#9]

There are no published “round count” limits to gas ring life. The rings are tested for serviceability based off condition. That condition can be tested by following the link I provide above.

Posted: 6/21/2009 12:14:46 PM EDT

[#10]

OK that's what I needed to hear. I just didn't want to keep shooting until I started to get a gas malfunction. I think I'll just change them at 3 year time frame and forget about round count. Thanks again...........TinMan

Posted: 6/25/2009 8:36:48 AM EDT

[#11]

What facilitates premature wear on the gas rings? I've had this problem with my Match AR rifle and have had to replace the rings before the gun saw 2,000 rounds to get the gun to reliably cycle during rapid fire strings. What weight lube if any do you use? I use a light coating of the military stuff as its everywhere and cheaper. Do you guys do the Bolt stand up test on a dry bolt or lubed?

Posted: 6/25/2009 12:48:32 PM EDT

[#12]

If you are chewing through rings but the B/C will pass a tilt test, then it comes down to one of three problems.

1. when you are installing the bolt back into the carrier, you are having a problem. Pull the rings and confirm that all the sharp edges of the rings are aligned to the back of the bolt. The rings are stamp cut, and if you are mix matching the index directions, could be that the rings are catching on each other at compression during insertion, and the problem at hand.

2. Take a good look inside the receiver to make sure that the Key bolt channel does not have an inside bur, or the bolt protruding, and this causing the problem.

3. When the carrier was produced, the first step for the gas chamber section was cut too deep inwards, and as the bolt moves forward at unlock, the end ring is allow to jump out of compression, and is being torn up as it has to be re-compress during lock up.

Posted: 6/26/2009 3:49:44 PM EDT

[#13]

Just replace them when it fails stand up test. Dont read into it.

Posted: 6/30/2009 11:48:15 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Just replace them when it fails stand up test. Dont read into it.

No offense but that is a broad reply, and I'll disagree.....It could be due to a bigger problem (at least if your going through them faster than you should be) that will only continue if not addressed. Chewing through gas rings like I've been doing does not prove anything other than I was stubborn and ignored the bigger problem. Correctly diagnosing the problem will prove to be better for the gun and the user down the road.

Posted: 7/1/2009 1:11:11 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
How does one replace worn gas rings?

I use a dental pick. works great. Just pry up , rotate a little, and slide off the bolt.

Posted: 7/1/2009 4:11:27 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:

Quoted:
How does one replace worn gas rings?

I use a dental pick. works great. Just pry up , rotate a little, and slide off the bolt.

I just replaced the ones in my bushmaster that I bought in 2001. My extractor spring just failed after I'm estimating 25000-30000 rds so I figured that I would replace my gas rings also. I could not believe how easy it was to do. I just used my thumbnail to start one end of the ring gap over the edge of the bolt. Took me all of 5 minutes to swap them out. Now that I know how easy it was to do, I'll be swaping them out more often. My rifle runs 100% unless I have a mag or ammo issue and did so after that many rds.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Gas ring replacement question

AR-15 » Troubleshooting

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