If I’m missing something as to how this operates someone can fill me in, but until I see one go 15,000 rds without issues I’m passing judgment on this one:
DSA will be showing their brand new KEYLOC next week at SHOT show. It’s replaces a standard gas key and uses a dovetail between the two six-sided screws instead of staking to prevent them from backing out.
I’ve always wondered, why not tack weld the key/screws using TIG? Just a small spot to keep things from moving.
In the event of key breakage or obstruction like a popped primer getting jamed in it necessitating removal, staking can usually be overpowered by hand.
It appears that the screw heads have six flat sides (like an ordinary nut) and you tighten the screws so that flat sides face the dovetail, then you pound in the dovetail wedge piece to sit against the flat sides of each screw and prevent them from rotating, therefore preventing them from backing out. The locking piece would be held in by friction and maybe also by the internal walls of the upper receiver.
It looks like a good idea at first glance.
Well thank god we found the solution. Now will someone tell me what the problem is?
Bullshit snake oil to the max.
I am not going to spend time with this shit when I can order a whole new carrier with factory staked key from Colt for $80 and sell off a broken carrier on gunbroker for $30.
Well, you can’t blame them for trying.
Looks to me like nothing more than an alternative solution.
I don’t think it is any better or worse than staking. I can see how it will make somethings easier, I can see where it might make somethings problematic.
I’ve never had problems with properly staked gas keys. Till then, I think I’ll pass … especially if it doesn’t come standard on my Colt, Noveske, LMT, DD, and BCM bolt carrier groups.
The article is portraying this as an aftermarket mod to do on your existing gun. I agree that would be pointless if you have a properly staked carrier. I’m sure it will sell to a certain crowd, but I see no benefit when you already have a well staked carrier.
However, I think the real potential here is for OEM use. While staking shouldn’t be that hard, only a few companies seem to get it consistently right (you know the ones). If a manufacturer switches to this system there is no longer any significant skill, judgment or depth setting (for a tool like a MOACKS) to get the key properly secured. You just tighten the bolts to a torque range, then pound the locking piece in and it’s done. The part cost might be slightly higher but I would guess that there would be cost benefits from reduced time and greater consistency (=fewer warranty claims) especially if you’re using relatively unskilled assembly labor. It would also probably eliminate any cracked keys, cracked or stripped bolts, or keys mashed to the point that they can’t ship them out the door.
I guess it would work, but why bother. If you snap a screw head, you’re stuck finding an uncommon part.
And it can be yours for the amazingly low price of 119.99. I would love to know;
The cost of this beauty.
The problem that it supposedly fixes.
I would rather have this as another litmus test. If a company is so damned incompetent/lazy that they can’t even complete a task that I could accomplish in a few minutes in my garage, then they should go out of business. A one-piece BCG/Key would be a better solution in my mind.
There doesn’t need to be a ‘problem’ to innovate. If that was the case, we would still be shooting muskets and blunderbusses.
I can see where this idea could have come from. It doesn’t necessarily fix any problems, but it is innovative, and for those rare instances where there could be a need for it, I could see this being less of a pain in the ass, unless of course you lost the key wedge.
The purpose of innovation is to improve something by addressing its shortcomings and finding a better solution. The reason we are no longer shooting muzzle loading rifles is because people understood the problems with them and developed a better system.
I dont see where it says its $120, the gearscout link says its $25 for the gas key itself. Then its $99.99 and up if you want it with a bolt carrier
For $50, I can buy a Colt carrier for $80 and sell of a broken one for $30
$80 - $30 = $50
It isn’t worth my time to fuck with this proprietary dovetail to save an extra $25.
Im not endorsing the thing. I was looking for the $120 price and didnt see it
Presumably friction and the inside of the charging handle trough would keep the insert from falling out one side or the other but I can also see where one that comes partially loose, because some people have this way of fucking stuff up no matter how idiot proof, will utterly gum up the works and slow/stop cycling as it chews its way into the soft bits around it.
Utterly non-plussed. Would rather see a dovetail broached into the carrier proper and a mating dovetail on the gas key itself that slid in and could be anchored by a single spring pin. More secure, no torque to worry about, dovetail would help ensure good gas seal along with larger contact surface for support, and it could be swapped with a nail and a rock if absolutely neccisary.
Still wouldn’t buy it mind you, but it would be a vastly superior design to the DSA.
It’ll sell, and I’ll bet pretty well. It’s end up being a vanity piece along the same lines as KNS pins, McFarland gas rings and the like. For the people that don’t have or want to invest into a staking tool, this would eliminate a potiential problem. Or, if you are building up a stripped carrier, $25 to test out a product is pretty cheap here lately.