AR Sponsor
Posted: 2/22/2005 5:58:16 AM EDT
|
I don't know if this is the right section to ask this question, but to me it seemed like it so.... I have a question about the three boltrings. Do they ever wear out after extensive use and if so, can they be replaced? Any thoughts? Wimchester |
First off, they are called gas rings, not bolt rings. And to answer your questions, yes and yes. The way to test them to see if they need replacing is very easy. Take the bolt out of the carrier by removing the firing pin retainer, firing pin and cam. Now, slide just the bolt back into the carrier. Hold it upside down with the bolt on the bottom and see if the bolt slides out of the carrier under its own weight. If so, you need new gas rings. Make sure you lube the gas rings with either CLP or personally, I like LP. LP is just a bit thicker. Lube on occasion and they will last a loooong time. |
+1, but you might like the McFarland one piece gas ring. You never have to worry about lining up the gaps as with the traditional 3 ring system. I absolutely love 'em! You can get them at Sinclair International, and they're really inexpensive. i use them on all my AR's and they are also on my spare bolts as well. Tack |
|
The test I use is: Remove the bolt carrier assembly from the rifle. Extend the bolt Set the whole carrier assembly on the bolt face on a table. If the bolt can't support the carrier's weight and retracts into the carrier, time for new rings. While I have a couple sets of McFarland 1-piece rings, I really don't think they are worth doing. I never worry about lining up the gaps on the standard rings. |
|
Thanks for the input, guys. I don't think mine need te be replaced right now. Just tested them yesterday the way you guys described. However, if they do need to be replaced, how do you take them of the bolt and do you need special tools for that? Second, do the gaps need to be alined or explicitly not. Thanks again.
That's not what this says. |
Special tools? An old small screw driver tip or knife blade, just pry them off. Since they are being replaced, it does not matter how you treat them to remove them. As for *bolt* rings. Call about any parts place and ask for *bolt* rings and see what that gets you. 
|
What's in a name, eh?!But what about the alignment of the gaps. Any thoughts on that. I always thought that they should not be aligned. Since then you have a better gassealing. Just a thought, |
I use a thin knive to lift the edge of the ring, then rip it off. They bend easy. You'll find a lot of opinions on alignment, but we've had folks purposely line up all the gaps and the guns still work. I try not to have them lined up, but I'm not anal about getting the gaps properly spaced. They move the 1st time you pull the charging handle. |
AR Sponsor