So I got back from shooting yesterday and one of my gas rings is burned out. This is the 2nd time Ive replaced my gas rings and I only have about 1500 rounds through the rifle! I’m in CA so I was shooting 10 round mags. No 30 round mag dumps going on and the fastest I was shooting was about 1 round a second. What causes these to go out? I already put in a Mcfarland 1 piece so we’ll see how it goes with that.
What could I possibly be doing to make these go out so quickly? The rifle is a S&W by the way. Anyone got any idea? New BCG time??
Is it always the same ring out of the three? Typically this would indicate a localized hot spot, point load related mechanical wear or some combination of both. Have a look at the corresponding mating surfaces and check for any defects as well.
It is a factory smith and wesson. Haven’t noticed anything rough inside the carrier. I’ll check again though. I have a pic of the rings from last time. I’ll take a look and see if it’s the same ring or not. I don’t recall off the top of my head
For the original set of rings to be wore out (broke) at 1000 rounds and the second set broke 500 rounds later, it just about has to be a BC problem. The “chamber” surfaces for the bolt must have a problem (out of round, rough, too big, etc.) or maybe the area around the groove for the rings on the bolt is not to spec, allowing more of the rings to be exposed to the gases?
Do you have another BCG to compare measurements? Try shining a bright light in both ends of the bolt carrier to see if you can see some “waviness” in the reflection in the “chamber”.
With new rings installed, does the BCG pass the Gas Ring Test? “Gas Ring Test” is with the BCG assembled, extend the bolt and stand the BCG on the end of the bolt. Does the bolt stay extended or does it collapse back into the BC with the weight of the BC?
No problem on the questions. I talked to s&w today and they want me to send my rifle to them. Honestly I bought that brand because I didn’t have to deal with shipping stuff. Not to mention 2 weeks or so without my rifle sounds horrible! Haha.
I’ll look at the carrier later and see if I can see anything. Should I just pick up a new bcg and keep the factory as a backup?
I’d go ahead and send it back. If whatever is causing this slipped through the QA cracks, something else might have slipped through too that S&W might catch.
Here’s a good rule to remember that you’ll see here and there concerning a self-defense weapon: “One is none and two is one.”
I’d still get a spare BCG but you’ll probably end up getting a new one from S&W.
Yeah prob would be the good thing to do but if it is only a BC that can cause this Ill just pick one up and throw the stock one in my toolbox for a spare. I really dont want to deal with shipping stuff. For some reason it just sounds like a pain in the ass.
I would take it as a credit to S&W, and exactly why you did buy from a quality company, that they want it back to fix (free of charge). Some other companies may give you the run around, or blame everything but them selves.
Absolutely, they were immediately wanting to take a look at it. I am just being stupid about it. Ill admit it. If someone can tell me it is def the carrier I would just swap it out and be fine. I guess it does need to be looked at though.
Ive been buying way too much ammo anyways! Thanks for all the help guys. I do appreciate it.
