Any downside?
Or maybe an O ring?
If your AR is a carbine gas system then it’s probably a good idea, but not 100% necessary. If your AR is 14.5" or less and a CAR gas system then I’d say yes.
Otherwise it’s not really needed.
It is possible to have too much extractor tension. I experienced this when I put the O-ring in my 16" mid-length. The once 100% reliable gun turned into a jam-o-matic. The extractor would hold on to the empty case and wouldn’t let it eject. When I removed the O-ring it went back to being reliable.
Now my only rifle that has an O-ring is my 14.5" carbine.
I only use O-rings or D-fender extractor enhancers on CAR length gas ARs. Everything else doesn’t need them.
Good info, thank you.
One addendum:
If you plan on shooting a lot of steel case ammo it would probably be useful as well.
Where can I get that size o-ring? My 14.5 carbine doesn’t have one.
Brownells sells both of the ones pictured above.
Interesting stuff. I bought a BCM middy off of a shooting buddy a few months back and the extractor had an o-ring on it. Not sure if it came like that or if he put it on there himself. I’ve put 600-ish rounds through it my last couple range trips and haven’t had any hiccups yet.
If it’s been a non-issue so far should I just leave it or pull it off? I should mention that after my G19 this would be my go-to weapon (or at least I’d like it to be my go-to weapon). If the o-ring is a potential reliability issue in a mid-length I’ll yank it off right now.
man, dont get it, none of the rifles i have ever been issued, shot or owned have never needed such a thing. are u having an issue with extracting?
If it is running fine for you, leave it on I suppose. Your middy shouldn’t need one, though.
Can you tell us where, when, and why they were introduced in the first place?
Can you elaborate as to why? Steel is more prone to sticking in the chamber maybe?
Also, downbad, I don’t use those orings and I think I have 2 left over from the last BCM servicing I did. I would send them snail to you if you want.
Steel cases don’t undergo plastic deformation to the extent that brass cases do, thereby allowing a bit more blowback past the case, ultimately plating out on the chamber walls. This can lead to some sticky cases.
Learning has occurred.
Thank you sir.