So, if I have an overgassed AR, and am kinda an idjit, what’s the best way to make it gooder?

A heavier spring? Do I need to mess with the gas block or get a different tube? Am I going to have to do all this multiple times to get it right, or is there a suggestion or guide or something?

  • southsamurai@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    9 days ago

    Tbh, the only thing I know to do is switch to an adjustable gas block.

    Again, I’m not an AR expert. I shoot them, I clean them, and I can do the maintenance thay requires. With that said, even the folks I know that can diganose and fix problems always say to upgrade the gas block because the problem isn’t likely to be static. If it’s over gassed now, even if you fiddle with things like the spring, they’re going to wear over time, and the problem comes back. But you can dial in an adjustable block, and that’s all you’ll have to do if you run into problems with it down the road, adjust it.

      • Carmakazi@lemmy.worldEnglish
        0·
        9 days ago

        That’s the barrel diameter where the block is mounted. If you have a caliper (best) or a ruler (okay) you can measure the barrel right in front of the block.

        But what has led you to believe your AR is overgassed?

        • BeMoreCareful@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          0·
          9 days ago

          Honestly, someone told me that at the range, but I have noticed that the cases eject towards the front. It seems sort of fine, but I was curious.

          • Carmakazi@lemmy.worldEnglish
            0·
            9 days ago

            Ideally it should be ejecting from 2-4 o’clock.

            I would try using a heavier buffer first. A lot easier to swap that than the gas block.

            It should be mentioned that being overgassed isn’t…the end of the world? It’ll put slightly more wear on your rifle and you’ll have more felt recoil, but it will also work more reliably. Basically every AK is “overgassed” in this sense except the ones hobbyists screw with.

            • BeMoreCareful@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
              0·
              9 days ago

              That makes sense. It doesn’t really have much felt recoil to be honest. I mean compared to other rifles I’ve shot. It does shoot gas at my face, but that may just be the platform as well.

              I’ll try a buffer, they are a bit cheaper. That’s just the weight thing that hangs out on the spring, correct?

              • catloaf@lemm.eeEnglish
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                9 days ago

                Yes, that’s the buffer.

                Where are you getting gas in the face from?

                Also, how long is your barrel, and how long is your gas tube? Ideally you’d have full rifle length for both (16" barrel, 12" gas tube) but you can have a short tube on a long barrel. No idea why, but they exist.

                • BeMoreCareful@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
                  0·
                  8 days ago

                  I guess it’s more of a cloud around the bolt. I know the barrel is 16 and 12 sounds about right for the gas tube.

                  I got a kearms cdr, so I think it’s pretty basic, probably milspec everything. I’m going to have to weigh the buffer and see what it is.

                  You make a good point about reliability though, and it’s never not done a thing it should (load a new round and discard the old one)