Gas Port

[GundamZero]

I got a smith and wesson AR (m&p 15)as a trade. It has a floating rail. I have yet to shoot it. I was looking at the gas block today and the hole on each side of it for air to escape seems to be clogged w/ lead or carbon?

I am an AR newb, can shooting an AR with a clogged gas port, make the gun explode or damage the gun in anyway?

What is the best was to remove the crap in the gas ports? Will shooting rounds, be enough pressure to push the crap out of the ports?

Help Please.

 

[themikea]

Which holes? Do you have a pic?

 

[liberal-hater]

I can only guess, but perhaps you mean the cross hole which has a roll pin in it to retain the gas tube?

1/ "air" does not escape from a gas block, it only seals and redirects propellant gas into the gas tube so it can blow the gas key, and with it, the carrier, backward

2/ you can't see the barrel's gas port unless you remove the gas block

3/ even if the gas port was plugged, it will not damage the rifle, it would simply become single shot

Hope this helps.

 

[handofzeus]

I think you are referring to the hole that runs through the gas block that holds the rollpin whichs keeps the gas tube in place?

 

[themikea]

If gas was porting out of the gas block itself your hand would not enjoy it. Probably the roll pin hole.

 

[mechanik]

It pretty much has to be the roll pin hole. To see the actual gas port you'd have to knock that pin out to release the gas tube, take off the gas tube, and then remove the gas block.

There is no need to mess with it or disassemble it. No gas vents through there. Just keep it lubed like you would any other steel part to prevent rust.