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Posted: 8/21/2010 8:48:32 PM EDT
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I have read that they wear faster then a standard 556, but what can I expect for a life expectancy of a 556 Patrol SWAT?
What wears out first? Any spare parts to start looking for? I found one I really like, but I want to know it will be around in a few years. I am curious. Thank you, Phessor 
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They really haven't been out long enough for anyone to know for sure. I think that the notion of them wearing faster than a regular 556 is purely theoretical at this point. It is based on the idea that a shorter gas system cycles more violently compared to a longer gas system. It's comes down to the fact that a longer gas tube has more volume to fill before pressure builds to the point that it has enough to overcome the force of the recoil spring to cycle the action. It has long been understood that two of best ways to slow the cyclic rate of a gas operated rifle is to make the gas tube longer or larger in diameter and to move the gas port closer to the muzzle end of the barrel.
Since the Patrol version has a shorter gas tube and thus less volume, and the gas port is further back on the barrel, that the action is going to cycle faster. I would hope that they would put in a heavier recoil spring or make more (or larger) holes in the gas tube to help alleviate the excess pressure, but I am not sure if that's the case or not. At this point it's all theoretical now. Only time will tell for sure. I think the main parts that would be most prone to early wear or even possible failure would be the recoil spring/guide rod, Bolt lugs, trigger group. But this is just little more than guessing on my part. (Edited for clarity and to fix numerous typos.) |
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