AR15 Gas Rings 101 Ep 1507

In this episode we are all about that gas...rings that is. One of the vital parts to keeping your AR running as it should is these three little gas rings in the heart of the rifle. We go over how to test them to see if you need to replace them, removal and installation of the new ones. This is a simple maintenance task that every AR owner should know how to do.
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Intro Music: Let Me Go by STEEP
Source: freemusicarchive.com
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[@ThatDudeMiguel]

About a week ago I went out to my local range, fired about 250 rounds no malfunctions. Got home to clean my AR15 and noticed I had a broken gas ring (have had thousands of round fired before this trip). So Believe him when he says that he's seen multiple gas rings broken and the rifles still function.

[@disrealnow9664]

one ring is all you need for the gas system to hold compression, the remaining two are for redundancy

[@ChrisUrsiny]

excellent and informative video sir, i really appreciate the time and effort

[@richwhippersnapper]

Good video. Cheap part to replace, easy fix. They work like the piston rings in a 2-cycle engine, and install something like a split rim truck tire

[@marksini3598]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@n7honeybadger103]

I had no idea why my bolt had gotten so loose I'm glad I found this vid I just ordered a new set of rings.

[@TerminalM193]

Holy COW! I almost didn't recognize you! Congratulations on getting healthy and fit!

[@richardshort3914]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@mustangjoe2066]

Excellent channel, became a subscriber 💥💯💥

[@digitalghost81]

Thanks for making this video. Great explaining on how to replace with close up video showing how. One part I was not sure about is if one side of the rings needed to be installed a certain direction or not. Highjak86 channel said they have to a certain way but you said it doesn't matter. I'll just closely see how the rings are installed from the manufacturer before taking them off to replace.

[@rrsatx]

Good stuff

[@ulflyng]

It's the little things. And your channel deserves much higher sub count. Thx for the info and your efforts.

[@Learningfirearms]

Thanks. Check out the featured video. Making content for a new channel now. Guns & Tactics

[@ulflyng]

@@Learningfirearms Done and subscribed. Thx. It's much appreciated. Thumbs Up from a country with high amount of gun control.

[@blackriflex39]

i tend to rarely heat up my weapon never mag dump but have a spikes tactical chrome lined bcg with easy 10,000 rounds over the period of ten years and it still passes the test im a mechanic by trade and understand heat destroys piston rings in a car so i imagine it plays a major role in ring life in a ar

[@bobgillihan443]

Good presentation. Thanks

[@davidhunter4327]

Im glad I watched that. Thanks!!!

[@Learningfirearms]

Good to hear. Check out our new stuff on the guns & Tactics channel.

[@khybersafi9137]

Well done Dave. I am loving all the great videos. Keep up the good work.

[@Learningfirearms]

Thank you!

[@Learningfirearms]

BIG-K-7.62 you can place a drop in each of the exhaust ports on the carrier to lube the rings. I have a video on oiling

[@larryrogers6735]

nicely done enjoyed very much.

[@DissociativeK]

Thanks you very informative videos. I subscribe!

[@Learningfirearms]

Thanks however we aren’t uploading anymore. I was brought on another Channel to be a creator for, please check out Guns & Tactics and sub there for the new stuff!

[@dbmail545]

I use the McFarland one piece gas rings. They don't seem to wear out.

[@Corelogik73]

I do the BCG test every cleaning. The first sign of give from a clean BCG, gas rings get replaced.

[@mikesterman123]

Are gas rings only in 1 size?

[@TheBency]

Thanks for the video. Good info. A quick question. How long should the rings last? I have about 200 rounds through my new AR and the rings are not making a good seal. I noticed that one of them is already bent.

[@Learningfirearms]

+Bency depends on if they were installed properly and the quality. One may have been damaged from the start. They should last a few thousand rounds before needing replacement.

[@saxmusicmail]

The gaps close up when compressed inside the carrier.

[@motonut4503]

Do these tests apply to ar 10? I'm getting a stovepipe failure on my .308 and the bolt fails the first test you listed but passes the second test. The bolt is nickel plated and I'm not sure if that affects the test being that my bolt is heavier than ar 15s and not sure if nickel plating adds weight

[@JohnBorgen]

You're saying, "x-thousand rounds". Mine broke after 500 rounds. I'm hoping nothing else is wrong with the gun, but we're going to start by replacing the rings. Edit: Now that I've watched the rest of the video there's likely something wrong with the gun. It won't extract the spent round. In fact, the bolt won't unlock. I'll change the rings regardless, they're broken...and I've got 9 arriving on Friday. Then it's off to the range (or the woods in my case) to run a magazine through and see what's next. Thanks for the video.

[@Learningfirearms]

If it’s not extracting rounds I would have the head space checked and the gun inspected by a competent armorer. Not just any gunsmith as many truly don’t know ARs that well

[@clevvegas]

Great video.... question...are 1 piece gas rings better or the same ...?

[@Learningfirearms]

No they are different, I’ve had some issues with 1 piece in the past so I just stick with quality standard gas rings, 3 of them per bolt

[@jarrettg5684]

I got a set of wilsons 1 piece and they were wore out in 4 magazines...

[@guns_n_shooting_passion]

Yesterday I made those tests on my bcg, 1st was faild (by the first time, earlier it was ok, the rifle has a mileage of approx 1,5k shots), but 2nd test was passed. In such situation I should be worried about my bcg or not? I can normally shoot if everything will work correctly? Thanks

[@redpilledpatriot8484]

I’ve put only 500 rounds through my LWRCI DI .. it does not past the test you showed with the weight of the carrier on the bolt... it is well lubed though.. thoughts?

[@johnL-xk2js]

Well done! What do u think of McFarland Style 1 Piece Helical Gas Ring ?

[@Gbejay_]

Can messed up gas rings stop the ar from chambering another round?

[@joeherrera3522]

I have a areo bcg are bcm replacement parts good for my areo bcg

[@larsandreasrisy4402]

👍

[@NoName-kq9kl]

Over the years, I've noticed the only purpose of the gas rings is to keep gas from blasting me in the face. My rifle will run without them, as I learned from strange experiences.

[@Custompro36610]

Do the gas rings have to be lubricated? (A lot or a little?)

[@Learningfirearms]

Check out our how to lube video

[@MustangGuru]

These rifles will still shoot and feed even without the gas rings, It just cycles slower

[@mitchellnebrosky2765]

Question for ya. Are the rings supposed to be loose? Easily rotate around? & if you push to one side you can see a gap through it? Bcg is brand new and just noticed this when cleaning to get the factory grease off. This is my first AR, so I'm curious. I can't find anyone to answer this simple question..

[@Learningfirearms]

Mitchell Nebrosky yes the rings are loose and should rotate free. They diameter will compress when in the carrier and acts like an outward spring for compression if that makes sense

[@mitchellnebrosky2765]

@@Learningfirearms Awesome! Thanks for the quick reply and info!!

[@hoopersbbq]

I recently replaced the gas rings in my AR and the bolt will not come all the way forward without using the forward assist. Is this normal until the new rings get broke in?

[@mikesterman123]

Did you ever get an answer somewhere?

[@boss350z5]

Question... I've done both of the accepted tests and the bolt doesn't fall out when the cam pin is removed nor does it collapse under its own weight when the entire carrier group is place on a flat surface... however, when I inspect the bolt during cleaning, i can clearly see that the 1st ring is broken and missing about a quarter inch out of it... but again, it still passes both tests... also i got my first jam after putting about a 1000 rounds through the rifle in about 3 months, this is why i started looking at the rings and extractor... any thoughts on this?

[@Corelogik73]

Visual inspection should always come first. If one or more rings are visibly damaged, replace the whole set. The BCG test should always come AFTER visual inspection for obvious physical damage.

[@boss350z5]

+Bruce “Corelogik” Jenner thanks. I actually ended up changing the rings and the extractor spring with bcm parts... running great and extracting to the 1 oclock position with no jams. its a carbine length gas system, and I've been told that is rougher on internals than mid length or rifle lengths and could explain the broken ring... i also completely cleaned the inside well of the bcg and made sure there was no burs on the inside... seems to be good for now...; but I'm definitely putting some pennies away to build a new intermittent length upper for a softer shooting option at longer ranges and keep this one purely as a defensive bedside rifle.

[@Corelogik73]

+BOSS 350z Carbine gas systems are a harsher on internal components. The reason is simple physics. A carbine gas system is shorter. Therefore gas has less time to slow down/cool down before hitting internals. The hotter, faster gas therefore imparts a bit more wear, more quickly than a mid or rifle length system would. That being said, a properly functioning carbine gas system on a properly function rifle should still last many thousands of rounds before replacement parts were needed. Providing your not using super hot loaded handloads. In any case, gas rings are simple and cheap. Replacing them every so often I'd good preventative maintenance.

[@korbyn49]

Could bad gas rings cause primers to pop out?

[@Learningfirearms]

+Levi1611 we mostly see blown primers caused by chamber issues. There are several manufacturers who don't cut true 556 chambers.

[@korbyn49]

+Learning Firearms Bushmaster?

[@Learningfirearms]

Levi1611 quite possible

[@korbyn49]

+Learning Firearms It happened on 16" Bushmaster with carbine length gas with a suppressor 5 times in about 30 rounds of independence 556

[@phillipmorris5680]

i just watched another video where the guy removed all 3 gas rings from the bolt and the gun ran just fine! what an irony ;-)

[@HDSME]

I have no clue why these gas rings are even on the gun lol

[@muddyhotdog4103]

@@HDSME on a properly tuned rifle that isn't over gassed you will most likely get short stroking issues without gas rings.. an overly gassed rifle could work through without rings tho

[@HDSME]

@@muddyhotdog4103 THANK YOU MAKES ALOT OF SENSE MOST PEOPLE DONT EEVEN KNOW THEY HAVE GAS RINGS THANK YOU GOOD INFO TONY