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Thread: Aluminum Gas block durability
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30-08-2018, 08:36 #21
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Re: Aluminum Gas block durability
The issue is not how long an alumium unit will last, its about gas port erosion that will enlarge the hole. The gun will be overgassed and cause excessive fouling as it beats itself to death with recoil. After a few thousand rounds an aluminium block will fuse itself to the barrel and may have to be milled off.
Quit fucking with Eugene and God and go install a steel block.
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30-08-2018, 08:56 #22
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Re: Aluminum Gas block durability
To the best of my knowledge the gasblock has zero to do with the amount of gas the bolt gets. This is determined by the port size in the barrel. Aluminium may evidence more erosion but it is no more inclined to weld to the barrel than steel blocks. In fact JP even makes an aluminium gas block.
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30-08-2018, 16:34 #23
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30-08-2018, 18:40 #24
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Re: Aluminum Gas block durability
This gas block rhetoric is in my opinion the same as examples bakkie tyres. Some folks believe they can ONLY drive with BF Goodrich or will never reach their destination. But like myself who is travelling a lot (80 000 km/year) are doing just fine with Continentals or Good Years or any other "normal" tyre. Ask the people using and shooting their guns if they have problems with Aluminium gas blocks frequently? So I did a quick Google search. In the USA there are serious numbers of S&W MP AR's, Ruger AR 556, etc etc sold and used, all of them with Aluminium gas blocks. For the normal user that shoot 300 - 1000 rounds per year and not trying to abuse the rifle they are doing just fine.
My Ford or Isuzu or Nissan will also be able to travel the Namib and Botswana. I don't need a Land Cruiser for that. Yes, if I work there and travel there everyday a Land Cruiser will last longer, for sure, but for my once in a while a normal Hilux is just fine.
Use your Aluminium gas block AR and enjoy it and stop worrying about all the stuff and opinions you read.
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30-08-2018, 19:03 #25
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I hear you and you are correct.
I do however now believe that different expansion and contraction rates between the 2 metals will eventually cause an issue leading to weapons failure.
This is my concern.. I don’t know how much shooting it takes to reach such a point however
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30-08-2018, 19:16 #26
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Re: Aluminum Gas block durability
My opinion is is based on a fact. A fact of a single rifle but a fact no less. A steel gas block is a cheap insurance kinda thing.
Id trust the words of gunsmiths working with the rifles day in and out than some random American forum member who may or may not actually own one, or maybe has only shot 100 rounds the rifles whole life.Last edited by Grant9; 30-08-2018 at 19:19. Reason: Context
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30-08-2018, 20:59 #27
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Re: Aluminum Gas block durability
My main AR I assembled 10 years ago has got one of these dreaded aluminium gas blocks. No leaks, no fused together gas port and barrel, no corrosion, no mystical expansion induced problems nor gas leaks. This rifle has some 30-40k rounds through it, many of which magdumps for various reasons, therefore I occasionally have to replace the steel gas tube which eventually erodes and lets the gas leak inside the hand guard.
I don't remember by whom the gas port was made, however it was some reputable US company, so it wasn't made from Chinese pot metal instead of heat resistant aluminium alloy.
Where do you guys get these stories from?
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30-08-2018, 21:30 #28
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31-08-2018, 07:55 #29
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31-08-2018, 08:10 #30
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