Worn out Gas Tubes

[markm]

Maybe the inside of the gas key is rough? Maybe a nitrided tube would last longer?

I though that on the first one. But after 3 bad tubes (all different guns), I'm speculating that there were some tubes with soft steel a few years back.

Hey Mark,

Replacement tubes are here:
https://blackrivertactical.com/WP/Gas-System-c6464008

Thanks!

Either that, a tight inner diameter, or a slight misalignment would be my guesses. @markm, you could check for misalignment by sliding the BCG onto the gas tube (with the upper off the lower) and see if you see or feel any significant difference is resistance compared to other uppers. If it turns out to be the gas key, you could either get the carrier rekeyed, or use one the carriers off your spare BCGs.

I generally check that with all my guns, and I definitely was checking this on the first two after replacing the bad tubes. The replacements haven't given me any problems.

[markm]

Going though several tubes sounds gas key related, likely alignment but who knows.

3 different guns/BGGs. I had suspicions that there were bad tubes, and I thought it was only mid-length, but this 3rd gun in carbine exceeds the coincidence threshold on the problem.

[opngrnd]

It's not been that uncommon for me to see tubes that need to be replaced. Not something I see regularly, but often enough it doesn't surprise me anymore. At this point, I think Murphy strikes more often than most people give him credit for. While giving PMI a few years ago, I was explaining that joes should check for loose gas keys during cleaning, and the random rifle I used for the demonstration had a loose gas key.

[markm]

It's not been that uncommon for me to see tubes that need to be replaced.

Most modern rail/handguards cover up the tube in front of the receiver (unlike the old delta rings). On my first bad tube, I could have figured out the problem sooner, but all the leaking gas fouling was hidden under the rail.

[prepare]

There are several ways to check the gas tube alignment.

A slightly misaligned gas tube can cause premature ware.

[556Cliff]

Specialized Armament has Colt gas tubes. Not sure if you are willing to wait a month to get them though?

[markm]

Specialized Armament has Colt gas tubes. Not sure if you are willing to wait a month to get them though?

Nah. I ordered a pair from BRT.

Here's the bad one:

[Clint]

That's a smooth operator...

Nah. I ordered a pair from BRT.

Here's the bad one:

[556Cliff]

Nah. I ordered a pair from BRT.

Crap, I forgot that G&R has Colt gas tubes too.

[MegademiC]

I had one get eroded at the port and start giving me malfunctions.

I replaced it with a BRT tube.