None of my rifles have had nearly enough rounds through them for this to be happening, but I’d like to know the following:
How do you know when your gas rings need to be replaced?
I remember reading that they will eventually need to be swapped out, but when? At first glance, it also looks like it might be a pain to get the new ones on without distorting them…and at the same time, getting their little gaps aligned properly. (120 degrees apart…or something like that.)
Just trying to learn what needs to be learned, that’s all.
remove the firing pin retaining pin, firing pin and cam pin. stand the bolt and bolt carrier up on the bolt, if the bolt slides in, replace the rings; or, pick bolt and bolt carrier up by the bolt (without cam pin). if bolt carrier starts to slide down replace rings.
Cartman pretty much nailed it. You don’t need to stagger the rings that is an older than Jesus wives’ tale. When it comes time to put new ones on it is fairly simple. I personally use McFarland 1 piece gas rings.
Ditto on cartman. I too use mcfarland 1-piece rings(1 per bolt) on new builds. Only had to replace one set of rings and that was on a second/third hand SP-1 where the barrel was also shot, so god knows how many rounds went through it.