Integrated Gas Keys/Monolithic Bolt Carriers

[CharlieMike]

Hi!

Has anyone ever had to replace a gas key? I don't expect many people to answer yes to this but I might be wrong. :)

I was wondering if it would make sense to make bolt carriers with integrated gas keys. This seems like it would alleviate the need to have well staked gas keys.

[TY44934]

"had to replace" - ?? No, I have never been required to replace one.

However, on high-round-count weapons, many sources suggest replacing BOTH the gas key and gas tube together (along with new rings of course), as they wear over time & do not seal as effectively as when new.

From a machining standpoint, the costs of making a monolithic carrier do not outweigh the hypothetical benefits. Besides, if replacement were ever needed, you would have to buy a new carrier as opposed to just the key.

FYI: monolithic carriers ARE made for many of the newer piston (as opposed to D.I.) carbines out there. Piston guns generally cost more than comparable DI guns.

[Heavy Metal]

Bad Idea.

I have seen them damaged by being dropped onto a hard surface. Plus, primers get stuck inside carrier keys. This would make the whole carrier a paperweight.