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Posted: 3/24/2013 7:19:17 AM EDT
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I recently acquired a couple of bolt carrier groups from the EE. I opened the package last night to find that one of the bolt carrier groups has a dented gas key. I have a gas tube laying around for use in my build so I checked the fitment by hand, to see if the gas tube would fit in the gas key.
Well the gas tube still fits in the gas key but with some slight resistance, more resistance than the one without the dented gas key. So I'm wondering will this affect the function of rifle cycling? Should I be concerned? I mean I wasn't expecting a damaged item. Is it possible that gas key could have been damaged in shipping? They were mailed together in a small flat rate box with the plastic sleeve around both, and some newsprint type paper for padding. I never had a bolt carrier group before, so I'm not sure how "sensitive" a gas key is. Any advice would be appreciated. |
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Pictures would help. A dent that "sort of deforms" the opening of the key might be a problem, or may just be almost cosmetic. It all depends on how much metal is displaced, how badly, and where it is displaced.
Assuming it's "just a little" deformation, I'd use a tapered punch (like a nail set) that fits into the deformed key and gently round it out, then see if a gas tube slides in a lot more like with the undamaged key. |
| Had one that was out of round at the end of the gas key so bad it wouldn't even slide all the way in the upper. I ended up using a punch the right size slid it in and managed to round the key back out now it fits in the upper perfect. I have yet to take it to the range and test it though. |
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Yes,
I've fixed them a few times, usually from getting dropped on the floor... I installed foam flooring in my vault/build room to help with this issue...even the best of us will drop things, me included...and breaking an optic is expensive...gas keys are easy to fix... You can try the punch method...it may work... Else use an old drill bit that's just fits into the key... Then use a brass hammer or even an iron hammer to dolly out that key... If you've never done this it's easy... Place the gas key over the drill bit locked into their vice...and tap on the gas key and it will reshape and after several small taps it will be good as new. Bret |
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Quoted: Yes, I've fixed them a few times, usually from getting dropped on the floor... I installed foam flooring in my vault/build room to help with this issue...even the best of us will drop things, me included...and breaking an optic is expensive...gas keys are easy to fix... You can try the punch method...it may work... Else use an old drill bit that's just fits into the key... Then use a brass hammer or even an iron hammer to dolly out that key... If you've never done this it's easy... Place the gas key over the drill bit locked into their vice...and tap on the gas key and it will reshape and after several small taps it will be good as new. Bret Yes. Find a solid steel or brass drill bit or punch that has an OD of .005" +/- .002" less than the ID of the gas key. Insert and use to maintain shape. Hammer with a brass or nylon hammer until dent is removed. Place the carrier in a vise for stability and support. Good luck.
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