I decided to build a Gen 2 Noveske with a 10.5" barrel.
I happened to find a used Noveske CHF barrel on another forum.
This is a direct quote from the ad.
“-Noveske 5.56mm 10.5 barrel with Gas block. Good condition. Gas tube has exterior carbon build up and can use a solvent bath, as well as gas block. Excellent cycling pressure. Barrel interior looks outsntanding and has only seen 5000 rounds of factory federal green tip.”
From reading many threads on this barrel the consensus is that it has a large gas port and is over gassed (0.082").
Most people recommend an H2 buffer and Wolf extra power spring, or Springco blue spring.
I loaded up some Hornady 55gr FMJ with various loads that run well in my Noveske Afghan and also brought along some Norinco 55gr 5.56 which are quite hot.
All ammo was confirmed to run in the 14,5" Afghan without failure.
In the 10.5" I was unable to get the bolt to lock back with any of the 4 different hand loads or the Norinco 5.56.
I then tried all the ammo with a standard carbine spring trying all the different buffer weights with no success.
I had my suspicions about the gas tube which came with the barrel but since I didnt have a spare I thought I would give it a try.
Upon returning home I ordered a new gas tube and once it arrived I went back to the range and confirmed proper functioning with all ammo.
The condition of the barrel itself was excellent and it printed very nice groups.
Here is a pic of the gas tube next to the one in my Afghan which has almost 4,000 rounds through it.
So I guess the moral of the story is take everything with a grain of salt.
The installed gas tube is not the problem one, the installed gas tube is in his good gun…
The loose (the lower, the one pushed up from the back of the upper) is the one he removed from the barrel he bought. It is not aligned because it is just laying in the charging handle channel. That one is rather worn, the end swell is almost gone.
Just to make sure I’m understanding what happened… the end swell is gone, leading to a poor seal between the gas tube and gas key, resulting in an undergassed gun?
Static alignment should be well enough to prevent binding and wear on one part, or location more than the other if everything is in specifications in it’s normal state. Dynamic alignment is done by trending a wear pattern from actual usage that shows that the alignment needs to be shifted by a certain degree and offset from that normal state. Finding the balance is a study, patterns can happen and come and go. Unfortunately, many manufacturers realize this and recommend replacement schedules in higher frequency instead of analyzing data they probably already have to save to a few dollars.
This is correct.
I just got back from a 2 day CQB Clinic and the rifle performed very well in all conditions including rain and mud with a new gas tube installed.
I had 2 malfunctions both while laying down in the modified prone position (strong side on the ground with the ejection port facing the ground).
The first was due to my arm covering the ejection port causing a stovepipe.
The second was me not seating the mag well enough and manually attempting to clear the round causing a double feed.
It is not me pictured below but it gives a good idea as to the position we were shooting from.
