Management of the Overgassed AR

[mic2377]

Hi All,
The topic of the overgassed AR has been much discussed. Many AR-15's do not have optimally sized gas ports, and are hard on brass and the gun. But, for the most part, even most overgassed AR-15's will still run OK.

Now, AR-10/LR-308's seem to suffer the worst from being overgassed. They already suffer generally decreased reliability compared to AR-15's, for many reasons. However, many seem to be WAYYY overgassed to the point of being unreliable. They also have a smaller latitude for function in terms of gas setting it seems.

Unfortunately, I have a custom built 308 AR with a Mega 18" barrel that seems to suffer VERY BADLY from this. With a fixed gas block, it would suffer from frequent malfunctions (2-3 out of 10) and rip rims off of cases. I have gradually modified it so that runs 100%, and the barrel has proven to provide good accuracy. This includes a A5 buffer tube/H3 buffer, AR-10 recoil spring, tweaked the extractor and extractor spring system, and installed a Kies adjustable gas block. I got tired of the tiny set screw on the Kies block and installed a Odin works adjustable block, with a detent system. This has been more reliable, except for the block sliding forward on the barrel and turning it into a single shot the first time I had it out.

Short of getting another barrel with a different gas port, does anyone have any better long-term solutions for this? The adjustable gas block works but is far from robust solution. All of my other AR's either have pinned blocks or clamp-on blocks like a VLTOR, and have been robust/trouble free.

[P2000]

If you are dead set on a non-adjustable and pinned GB, and don't want a new barrel, I'd get one of these installed, and have a competent smith pin a good quality gas block. http://www.blackrivertactical.com/co...tune-gas-port/

[Biggy]

I think it is safe to say not all adjustable gas blocks are created equal. IMHO, the ones from SLR Rifleworks seems to currently be the most reliable and popular. If properly installed on the barrel, either with set screws or by pinning, it should be secure and not move at all. I would personally skip any clamp on block. I also like and would prefer the solution from Black River Tactical as mentioned in the above post.

[di11igaf]

My lr308 is the same. It's a 16" carbine gas, extremely overgassed. I bought the a5 RE and an armalite 308 rifle spring so I could use normal 556 buffers. Even with an h3 its still pretty bad but better than it was.
This particular gun is mostly just fun/range, and it does shoot 1 MOA 10 shot groups with 168 fgmm. I'm literally considering cutting the barrel to 14" or so and pinning the surefire procomp I have on it to lessen the dwell time. I don't care one iota about the velocity loss, maybe a cool project.

[Brahmzy]

Perfect case for an SLR adj gas block. Easy peasy. Just works, no maintenance.
Shouldn't have to say this, but just make sure you install it correctly. Gas blocks shouldn't be sliding around.

[Auto-X Fil]

I've installed three SLR gas blocks. They all work perfectly. The set-screw models come with a shelf for pinning, just to really make sure it doesn't go anywhere.

[Slvr Surfr]

I'm surprised no one mentioned these yet....

http://http://www.gem-tech.com/store...er-55p1150.htm

[ballsagna]

I'm surprised no one mentioned these yet....

http://http://www.gem-tech.com/store...er-55p1150.htm

Your link is broken, too many hypertext transfer protocol acronyms.

Sent while driving, so?

[titsonritz]

I'm surprised no one mentioned these yet....

http://http://www.gem-tech.com/store...er-55p1150.htm

Your link is broken, too many hypertext transfer protocol acronyms.

Sent while driving, so?

GEMTECH Suppressed Bolt Carrier

[Defaultmp3]

If you are dead set on a non-adjustable and pinned GB, and don't want a new barrel, I'd get one of these installed, and have a competent smith pin a good quality gas block. http://www.blackrivertactical.com/co...tune-gas-port/

If you don't need adjustment between suppressed and unsuppresssed, another option is this: http://micromoa.com/baby-govnah/

If you do plan on switching between the two, I think the regular MicroMOA Govnah is probably more robust than your normal set-screw adjustment gas blocks, e.g., SLR, JP, Syrac, etc.

Those two options only hold for 0.750 gas block journals.