Loose gas key...what to do?

Tengoo

Tengoo

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After a firing session yesterday, I stripped down my shorty .223 AR for a thorough cleaning...and the gas key wiggles.

Dammit! This was a DPMS manufactured part and it had dents beside the gas key screws, and it certainly seemed tight in the past. However I can remove the screws, so clearly there's a problem.

So...will red loctite do the job or does the gas key get hot enough to melt it? Can a gunsmith improve the staking, or does it require a heavy-duty press of some kind?

Info or advice greatly appreciated...
 
If you are not super anal and obsessed with mil spec what not, red loctite it. If it comes out again, you can then try to find the tool or pay a gunsmith who knows about AR to restake it.

There is no heavy duty press involved, even at the factory.

No, don't buy a new BCG. That's a waste of money. If you are anal, buying a new gas key is probably better if you choose to stake it again. You can't really re-stake where the old stakes are, need to find a spot on the gas key where it was not staked before to put in the new stake.
 
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Part came loose? Perhaps tighten it?

Post a picture of the staking, you’d probably be fine to torque it properly and then field stake it.
Or order the staking tool from brownells, that’s an option I considered.
Actually noting you’re in Calgary too, let me know if you wanna split the cost of that staking tool as I need one as well.
 
FoxAlpha said:
Part came loose? Perhaps tighten it?

Post a picture of the staking, you’d probably be fine to torque it properly and then field stake it.
Or order the staking tool from brownells, that’s an option I considered.
Actually noting you’re in Calgary too, let me know if you wanna split the cost of that staking tool as I need one as well.
Click to expand...

Looked it up on Brownells...I'm willing to bet somebody local has one. It's just a little more expensive than I want to spend for a single job...even going halvers, thanks just the same. I'll let you know...
 
Remove the gas key and degrease the parts really well. Get some of the super high heat rated loctite and use it liberally. This should last a long time, I have 2 BCG's done this way with thousands of rounds through them.
 
Staking a carrier key is a very simple job. Look at the US Marine Corps depot-level maintenance manual: it is done with a vise, hammer and punch. No sealant is required. Just torque the screw, and punch. I have used a nail set in the past, but a very nice staking tool can be made from a flat blade screwdriver.
 
BattleRife said:
Staking a carrier key is a very simple job. Look at the US Marine Corps depot-level maintenance manual: it is done with a vise, hammer and punch. No sealant is required. Just torque the screw, and punch. I have used a nail set in the past, but a very nice staking tool can be made from a flat blade screwdriver.
Click to expand...

X2. It's a very simple task. You could go one step farther and add the loctite as well.
 
I had the same problem with a gas key that was staked for I guess looks instead of function.

I was going to track down a staking jig tool, but ended up going with the advice from CGN and did it myself with a good punch and ball pein hammer. Super easy and cost effective.
 
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