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Posted: 8/18/2009 6:24:05 AM EDT
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So I took most recent build to scout camp for a week. Had it on the range a couple of times with the Ciener kit in. I don't know how many .22 LR rounds were put through it, but I'd bet at least 1K.
Only 5.56 ammo I had with my was some Wolf, so I tried to fire a few rounds through to clear out the gas system like I have done with the Ciener kit in other guns. No-go, I had a single shot and extraction was very difficult. I thought maybe the chamber was just dirty. Took it home, cleaned the chamber real well, then went back to the range this weekend. I tried some Remington 55 gr FMJ. I still have a single shot, but at least extraction is easy. Didn't see any evidence of gas around the BCG after 10 rounds. I assume the gas port or tube is plugged. I ran a piece of weed wacker line down the gas tube, it seems to go all the way to the end. I punched out the roll pin on the gas tube and tried to pull the gas tube out by hand. Couldn't get it to move. I'm assuming my next step needs to be to knock out the 2 pins holding the FSB in place and pull the FSB off then clean out the gas ports. But I just wanted to check if there were any other options. |
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Yeah, .22s aren't cool if you plan to use .223 again after a lot of .22 shooting. This is why more and more folks are building or buying dedicated .22 uppers. Worst case scenario? You will need to throw away the gas tube and get another one for $10 or so and clean your gas port. If you plan to throw it away, you can get it out with vise grips or pliers and then clean the gas port in your FSB. If you are really careful, you can get the gas tube out with pliers or vise grips without squashing it, and you may be able to reuse it.
I have never shot .22 in my ARs, but I have had a stuck gas tube that I got out with vise grips and was able to reuse it - don't crush it! Just grip it with the grips or pliers and use them to twist/wiggle it to get it out and don't squeeze too hard. |
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Been there, done that.
I almost plugged a gas port on one of my rifles that got shot a lot with just .22. There is a fix and you don't have to pull off the FSB. I got a very thin dental tool, looks like " L " . Then I removed the gas tube, the one that had turned brown from all that rapid fire! Poured some of my powder solvent (Hobbies #7 or such) down the opening on the FSB and started work with my dental tool. Only took a minute or two to have this thing cleaned right out. Then, get one of Spikes gas tube blocks and have it replace the gas tube. It will stop all that junk that has been blasting back into your receiver and your eyes. It will also keep your gas tube from turning brown and blue! You will need to clean the gas port again when you want to change back to .223. But, you shouldn't have too much trouble with the gas port now. The best thing to do is buy a .22 dedicated upper if you plan on shooting a lot of .22. |
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Well I got it fixed.
II didn't have a dental tool, but I carefully removed the gas tube with a pair of pliers. The gas tube was jammed with lead, I couldn't pick it out, so I fired up my propane torch. A little heat and the lead was dripping out. I figured the gas port was plugged as well. I didn't feel like heating up the FSB, so I ran over to the range got there with 20 minutes til closing time and put 3 shots through it. Then I replaced the gas tube. I forgot the forceps, so I held the roll pin and a punch and the range officer smacked it for me to get it started. Then I finished it off. Fired a mag of ammo through it with no problems. I'm happy now. Thanks to all who offered suggestions. |
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