AR15 Gas Ring Lifespan

[Gawernator]

Mine seem pretty worn out in about 3-4k rounds I'd estimate, the BCG collapses under its own weight though the gun does work. How much lifespan are you getting out of them? Is there any reason to use these 1 piece rings?

 

[Jimi Jah]

I've used the one piece rings for years. So far no need to replace them.

 

[Brandon Breeze]

It was always said to replace the rings as soon as the carrier falls under it's own weight, so that's what I've done.

The rings were not giving me problems at that point, but replaced them anyway since they're inexpensive.

As with the poster above I have the one piece rings on a few builds and have never replaced them and do not have any issues.

 

[heynice]

I've swapped mine around around 4-5k (not one-piece). At that point the BCGs were collapsing, but there was still some resistance on the way down.

 

[AR15barrels]

There is no hard/fast rule on gas ring life.
It depends on how smooth the carrier bore and plating and fit between the bore and bolt.
If rings make it to 5K, replace them along with all the springs in the gun that move with every shot fired and know that your carrier was a good one.
I have seen crappy carriers with anoversized bore that didnt make it to 100rounds because the bore depth was wrong and the carrier will eat rings in less than a mag.
That's the opposite extreme from a 5k trouble-free bcg.

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

Them rings are like the cheapest AR part. Buy plenty when you can.

With the ca shipping laws, i suggest buying spares for your spares when ordering from somewhere.

 

[Jimi Jah]

A spare bolt in the bag has kept me shooting. Extractors will fail if using steel ammo like Russian 7.62x39.

 

[Gawernator]

There is no hard/fast rule on gas ring life.
It depends on how smooth the carrier bore and plating and fit between the bore and bolt.
If rings make it to 5K, replace them along with all the springs in the gun that move with every shot fired and know that your carrier was a good one.
I have seen crappy carriers with anoversized bore that didnt make it to 100rounds because the bore depth was wrong and the carrier will eat rings in less than a mag.
That's the opposite extreme from a 5k trouble-free bcg.

I ended up getting a whole spring kit and new buffer tube spring etc back when I got replacement rings... good call

100 rounds is horrible. This is just the OEM bolt of a Sig M400

 

[Striker777]

I'd say there is some carrier issues here that's rediculous.

100 rounds is horrible. This is just the OEM bolt of a Sig M400

 

[Darqhelmet]

depends on a lot of different factors. But they are cheap and a wear item. Replace often and don’t have issues. Over gassed guns eat them fast, none tuned suppressed guns eat them fast. Really ty ammo can make maintance schedules faster and jack the rings up. I’ve never ran one piece rings, so I don’t know.

 

[Gawernator]

There is no hard/fast rule on gas ring life.
It depends on how smooth the carrier bore and plating and fit between the bore and bolt.
If rings make it to 5K, replace them along with all the springs in the gun that move with every shot fired and know that your carrier was a good one.
I have seen crappy carriers with anoversized bore that didnt make it to 100rounds because the bore depth was wrong and the carrier will eat rings in less than a mag.
That's the opposite extreme from a 5k trouble-free bcg.

Have you seen the BCG collapse under its weight but the rifle still shoots fine?

 

[AR15barrels]

Have you seen the BCG collapse under its weight but the rifle still shoots fine?

Yes.
An otherwise properly gassed carbine will often run fine with only 2 gas rings installed.