I'll let the experts say for sure, but if it's not spitting it out reliably, my guess is something is wrong with some of the minor parts. I'd try replacing those first...they're cheapest. If that ain't it, you're not out much.
That explains why it looks like an ejected round. I never would have noticed that, but that's the type of attention to detail these guys have around here.
As for the gas block, rule out some other easy items before you drop money on a part you may not need.
My chevy's front end is peppered through to the steel from something like that. Was headed back from a race near Vegas and the freeway was shot down for a few hours due to wind. They opened it back up and in the middle of the night I drove into one head on. I was doing 75...who knows how fast it was moving. Got a new windshield when I got home. It was so pitted you couldn't see crap when the sun hit it. No dice on paint or chrome touch up. That POS wears it proudly.
At least it was dry and dusty Tom.
I forgot the after pics...but I swear it was delicious. Happy Independence Day/4th of July...just to cover both camps. Had this in the cupboard. Seemed an appropriate whiskey for today.