Long story short. I’m sending my JP carrier and bolt to Fail Zero to get treated. They are going to remove the gas key (which is already staked) and will re-stake the same key on. I’d rather have them installed a new one since the metal hasn’t been crushed yet.
With that said, are all gas keys pretty much created equal? I plan on ordering one from Brownells. DPMS has one for $9 and High Standard has one for $11. Or should I just order the BCM one for $21 (comes with two screws)?
i dont know what kind of difference you can expect between manfers, but i do know that BCM is the only one that really seems to take pride in their keys specifically… so i’d go with bcm.
I’ve replaced two gas keys on a M&P15 and a Stag to get rid of the CMT stake job. I went to VA Arms and bought what they carried. One was a RRA key and within the past year they have BCM on the shelf. I just use the home made chisel in a vise to stake. I was really suprised at how much harder I had to strike the BCM gas key to move the metal. David
BKB is speaking gospel here.
As far as quality differences in the gas keys available from various sources…yes there can be a vast difference in quality.Some are low end bottom feeders that are not hardened or chromed.Ive also had serious issues with the bore dimensions in the keys and rough or unfinished bores.Same for gas tubes…buy a known quality.
So yes I would go with something like BCM or Colt etc. and not bother with the rest as its just not worth the effort for me anymore.
Hardened, properly heat treated, affixed with proper Grade8 fasteners, and staked properly. Not that many places that do all this, but they don’t cost much more at all.
Sounds like BCM it is. Thanks guys.
/thread
Are all gas keys pretty much created equal?
Simple answer is no.
First: I do not have any info on the specifics of the gas keys you mentioned above.
General info:
Most common steps skipped in the commercial market are chrome lining and proper heat treating. Chrome lined keys are prefered for the same reason chrome lined bores, and chrome lined carriers are prefered.
The softer gas keys can be problematic if the rifle is run hard. If the gas key/carrier fails the weapon system becomes a single shot set up. If using a softer keys and softer fasteners (than the mil standard), you will create a softer and less effective staking job. A less efffective staking job is more prone to loosen cause the weapon’s gas system to fail.
Thanks!
I’m paraphrasing someone much smarter than myself:
“If Bravo Company is an option, then Bravo Company is usually the answer.”
I purchased three gas keys with bolts from Paul, and they all went on the carriers perfectly. No honing needed to make them perfectly flat.
They staked nicely with a pocket MOACKS, too.
And Paul, that new pencil barrel middy upper you just shipped me is the heat! 
NO they are not all equal and neither are the screws used.
C4
FWIW on all my own BCGs that aren’t BCMs I’ve replaced the carrier keys with BCMs. They’re that good.
Fail Zero is up to speed on how critical the key is and the staking thereof. They have a benchtop, lever-actuated MOACKS.