I know titanium expands less as it gets hot, what that means in practical terms for an AR, I have no idea.

Are there any noticeable advantages to spending the extra money for a titanium gas block other than saving weight?

Not really, just parts your wallet a little wider.

FPNI

No. Fire cutting Ti is a thing. As temps increase Ti strength declines substantially.

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Weight savings and bling.

Titanium all the things. Just do it.

If you shoot 20,000+ rounds, you might.

This is the erosion on a BA block after 3,000 rounds.

If the erosion on that revolver cylinder doesn’t convince you to run from a titanium gas block, nothing will.

Melting and ablative resistance are two totally different things. Pure titanium has a lower Brinell hardness than steel, which is one of the reasons machining titanium is harder to do than with steel. The titanium tends to gouge and gum up tools more than steel does. Once the protective TiO2 outer protective layer is penetrated, the pure titanium below it is much softer and will erode faster than steel. Titanium is somewhat “self healing” in that the oxidized layer reforms very quickly, but red-hot pellets of powder traveling at supersonic speeds will, over time, continue to gouge out the metal.

That being said, a lot of the answer to your question depends on the application. A titanium gas block used on a carbine length 5.56 gas system will not last as long as one on a 24” .308 barrel with a +2” gas system. You should still get at least a few thousand rounds out of it. Maybe check it every 2000 rounds, and replace as needed.

Example of aluminum GB erosion:

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A couple other cheap ass offerings:

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Wow that second pic looks terrible.

Op, the only advantage I can see in a titanium GB is the weight savings. I dont see the thermal expansion differential between titanium and steel as desirable, think about it..the barrel expanding before the gas block? So basically the barrels expansion will be constricted at the GB journal..doesnt sound good. I can see a titanium GB making sense on a superlight build or on a mock dissipator for better balance.

That would be far more desirable than an aluminum gas block expanding more than the steel barrel. You’re not going to crack the titanium. It is far more elastic than steel with a higher “memory” so it will return to its original size. If anything the titanium’s lower rate of thermal expansion will create a better seal.

Looks cool. Gives you bragging rights. Thats worth a lot no matter what people here say. Just look at all the pix threads.

Well, Guess I am not going to be shooting any more.