Thursday, March 18, 2010

Do not mind the gap

Admit it, you align the gas rings on your AR15 bolt. Every body does it, but do you really need to?

Head on over to Haji's Place to get a run down that will put your mind at ease.

Good stuff!!

4 comments:

The Broozer said...

I learned in the Corps ('82-'86)to take special care to make sure that they were NOT aligned.

I didn't know why at the time it didn't matter why, I just obeyed, but since then I've read that the rifle can have cycling problems if they are aligned.

I've never had any of those problems, so I'd suggest that you do not align the gaps on your gas rings anymore.

Love your blog, by the way.

The Broozer said...

I posted my comment before I read Haji's analysis on his blog.

He makes perfect sense.
I'll just continue to stagger them, though, in my rifles.

Geodkyt said...

Broozer --

It doesn't matter whether the rings have the gaps lined up, or are perfectly spaced out.

It doesn't matter AT ALL.

Some serious Mythbusting has been done into this issue and the conclusion is ALWAYS, it doesn't matter where you leave the gaps in the rings.

I know the USMC taught you to carefully stagger the rings. Just like Fort Benning taught me.

But it has no effect on the actual operation or reliability of the rifle.

Unknown said...

Yup. I always staggered them as taught in the Marines. Now I think I will line them up just for fun! It can't hurt!