JRoss Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Hi , just joined and have a new dpms style ar308. 10 rounds fired and gas block failed. It had not functioned properly from the 2nd round fired. Thinking it was a short cycle problem from a leaking gas block. I attached a pic of the end result after the 10 rounds I fired. It is a .936 aluminum block. I am new to the ar 308 so hoping to learn from you all here. Waiting for replacement gas block from the company that assembled the complete upper. Any tips on installation would be fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planeflyer21 Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Welcome from AZ!Hard to tell from that pic. Can you post some more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armed Eye Doc Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Welcome to the forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malig8r Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Welcome to the forum from Michigan. Sorry to hear about the failure. Did you.or a friend build it or is it a factory weapon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRoss Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Thanks!Welcome to the forum from Michigan. Sorry to hear about the failure. Did you.or a friend build it or is it a factory weapon?Only pic I took. It is a clamp style block and the two 8-32 screws came loose and the block spread open to a gap of about 3/4". Its a single shot charge handle action now.Welcome from AZ!Hard to tell from that pic. Can you post some more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRoss Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Welcome to the forum from Michigan. Sorry to hear about the failure. Did you.or a friend build it or is it a factory weapon?Thanks for the welcome. The company I bought it from assembled it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Jross Welcome to the forum ! im sure if its a standup company they will take care of it. I was just reading a couple of days ago about why a poster didnt like aluminum gas blocks...because the gas port erodes fairly fast... yours just wasnt installed properly.. ...ive always used steel gas blocks ....from what I can see in the pic you will need a belt strap wrench to unscrew the handguard...and you will need a 308 dpms claw to hold the upper in a vise....you should ask the install co if they used locktite on the handguard threads? Your gastube could be bent too ...why dont you just ship it back ? Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRoss Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Jross Welcome to the forum ! im sure if its a standup company they will take care of it. I was just reading a couple of days ago about why a poster didnt like aluminum gas blocks...because the gas port erodes fairly fast... yours just wasnt installed properly.. ...ive always used steel gas blocks ....from what I can see in the pic you will need a belt strap wrench to unscrew the handguard...and you will need a 308 dpms claw to hold the upper in a vise....you should ask the install co if they used locktite on the handguard threads? Your gastube could be bent too ...why dont you just ship it back ? WashThe company sent the block USPS and the tracking number shows it could be here tomorrow. I was able to tap the block and tube off and the tube looks straight but might just replace it if is loose in the block when I reinstall it to the new block. Good info to know about the erosion factor of the aluminum. I will keep the factory part configuration and see if it works properly before I do any changes (easier to diagnose any problems with the tech people at the factory). If I can I like to do my own work so that's why I am not shipping it back. Do you know if there is a specified torque on the 8-32 screws? I think its like 90 inch pounds? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepp Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Welcome from soutern wi i had a clamp on do the same thing no more clamp on's for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Armory Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 If possible install a slip on .936" gas block with one or two hex nuts on the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRoss Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 If possible install a slip on .936" gas block with one or two hex nuts on the bottom. Ok you mean to use them as a lock nut to keep the screws from lossening?Thanks for the welcome.If the one they send messes up I will reconsider the option of steel and a set screw type then. Just don't want to stray from original configuration for the time being.Welcome from soutern wi i had a clamp on do the same thing no more clamp on's for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Armory Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 That picture looks like the gas block broke.You might want to get a new gas tube also and install the gas block and gas tube as a complete replacement unit. It will be easier that way.BTW ....Welcome from AZ ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRoss Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Yes good idea ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Welcome from the SunShine State . That looks like a Clam Shell type of gas block , two piece ? If its not , its broke in half as was said . A clamp on type will slip over the barrel , with two or more bolts to clamp it on the Barrel . I like Steel Clamp on type ,but have Aluminum ones also that work fine , not sure the length of service compared to the Steel , but I don't remove them much at all to inspect . Once they are sealed by carbon of firing , I don't like to break that seal . I don't believe there will be much erosion if there is any , because the Gas Port hole in the Gas Block is larger then the Barrels Gas Port & most gas goes directly into the Gas Tube , which is Stainless Steel . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Welcome from Indiana brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 JR Good for you on doing it yourself ! If I can I like to do my own work so that's why I am not shipping it back. Do you know if there is a specified torque on the 8-32 screws? I think its like 90 inch pounds? 90 inch pounds sounds bout right....Oh...you will prolly need to take off the muzzle device if there is one...take note of its position....the builder prolly used locktite on the handguard threads...ask them....heatgun needed if they did Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EngrBob Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Howdy and welcome from the border. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRoss Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Welcome from Indiana brother.Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRoss Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Howdy and welcome from the border.Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRoss Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Welcome from the SunShine State . That looks like a Clam Shell type of gas block , two piece ? If its not , its broke in half as was said . A clamp on type will slip over the barrel , with two or more bolts to clamp it on the Barrel . I like Steel Clamp on type ,but have Aluminum ones also that work fine , not sure the length of service compared to the Steel , but I don't remove them much at all to inspect . Once they are sealed by carbon of firing , I don't like to break that seal . I don't believe there will be much erosion if there is any , because the Gas Port hole in the Gas Block is larger then the Barrels Gas Port & most gas goes directly into the Gas Tube , which is Stainless Steel .Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRoss Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 I received the replacement part in the mail today. Took a better picture of what happened, original part had the short screws (2) and the replacement has the longer screws. I did mention to them longer screws would help. So it could be possible the original had the wrong screws installed and explains why the block did not hold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepp Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 I received the replacement part in the mail today. Took a better picture of what happened, original part had the short screws (2) and the replacement has the longer screws. I did mention to them longer screws would help. So it could be possible the original had the wrong screws installed and explains why the block did not hold.werevthe threads stripped out on the original screws? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRoss Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 werevthe threads stripped out on the original screws? The threads in the aluminum gas block were Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted February 28, 2016 Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 The Aluminum that they are using looks awfully soft to flex like that , but the 308 does have some power & it showed it on the Gas Block . If it was me , I would looking into another Manufactures Gas Block as soon as I could afford it . I have three 308AR's with Clamp on Gas Blocks with out issue . If the threads stripped out in the GB , why would a Manufacturer think putting longer ones in ,would make a difference or they were stripped by over tightening them from the get go at the Factory . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted February 28, 2016 Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 (edited) " The Aluminum that they are using looks awfully soft to flex like that , but the 308 does have some power & it showed it on the Gas Block"Survival...but of course it looks cheesy/soft...its Chinese aluminum....no insult to anyone but most of our stuff comes from there....I used to deal with a Chinese dist. that had gas blocks that looked just like this one... its most always the Chinese threads and screws that suk....... its sad but true Wash I did some snooping around...Bravo Co gas blocks are made in the USA (steel) ...and a few others all machined in steelI like this place BTE made in USA http://www.bte-usa.com/#!gas-blocks/c1wvt Edited February 28, 2016 by washguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.