Abnormal Gas Ring Wear?

Stevo

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As I understand it, a set of AR gas rings should be good for approximately 5000 rounds, right?

I put a new set in my Armalite a bit over a year and less than 1500 rounds ago, and they're already worn out. Is there anything than can contribute to accelerated gas ring wear or is it just sub-standard Brownells brand gas rings at work?
 
Rough chrome or machine marks on the inside of the carrier. Put another set in and see how they go. Should get smoother in there over time.

There is no set round count. Too many variables at play such as temperature, ammo, dust, lube, etc.
 
Shoulda gotten a piston driven ar (or xcr). Everyone knows DI ar's a very unreliable :stirthepot2:

Haha just kidding but just curious how do you tell if the rings are worn out? I heard ar's will still fire without rings but just get dirty quick?
 
^you stand the carrier up with the bolt extended and facing down.
If the bolt stays extended, the rings are good. If it don't... they ain't.
 
^you stand the carrier up with the bolt extended and facing down.
If the bolt stays extended, the rings are good. If it don't... they ain't.

Cool thanks. Another piece of knowledge stored in the vault. In the army they never even mentioned these rings (not that we even needed too know) but I did notice them. I used to think that the gas key didn't flow right into the BCG haha
 
Rough chrome or machine marks on the inside of the carrier. Put another set in and see how they go. Should get smoother in there over time.

There is no set round count. Too many variables at play such as temperature, ammo, dust, lube, etc.

The inside of the carrier shouldn't be a factor. I've had this rifle for the last 10 years and the first set lasted for the first 9 years.

How would different ammo affect the gas rings?
 
It's a 14.5" carbine-length gun. Round count is between 5 and 10k. Nothing else is worn out, it's been maintained properly. With the new gas rings in, the bolt/bolt carrier fit as they should.
 
I had an early armalite that did the same thing. it would EAT a set of rings in 300 rounds. I started having cycling probs the first time this happened, and when it was disassembled the rings were all but gone on the ejection side. so got some new ones chalked it up to maybe bad rings. 3-400 rounds later same thing. so started having a closer look. couldn't really find anything to give me a clue. replaced the rings for the third time, but again 3-400 rounds they were destroyed. so time for a real detailed look, turns out the hole the bolt sits in in the carrier was machined crocked. replaced the carrier and it ran fine
 
Some Norinco, but not exclusively. Mostly wolf and reloads. The same mix of ammo I've run through my two other ARs without issue.
 
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