Cleaning my AR's today and I noticed that one of my Daniels Defence bolt rings has expanded. I have around 1000rnds down the tube. I bought it used, with 100-200rnds down it before it was mine. This was my first AR and I have never come across this before. Do I need a new bolt or can you replace the rings by themselves? I am assuming I should not shoot it until its fixed or replaced.
- Thread starter svxwilson
- Start date
Just replace the rings, as a set. If it does it again very soon you may have a problem inside the bolt carrier. I have a cheap kit gun at home that did this on a regular basis. Finally installed a McFarland one-piece ring and no more problem.
By the way, it's not "expanded"---part of it's completely missing. Don't use excessive force when shoving the bolt into the carrier and make sure it's well-lubed. (I use Mobil 1. YMMV) If it puts up a lot of resistance, just pull it back out, turn it, and try again.
By the way, it's not "expanded"---part of it's completely missing. Don't use excessive force when shoving the bolt into the carrier and make sure it's well-lubed. (I use Mobil 1. YMMV) If it puts up a lot of resistance, just pull it back out, turn it, and try again.
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Mobile One engine oil? That makes seance about part of it being missing and not expanded as is full with the other 2rings. Where did you get the one piece ring? Is there a thread or can you share some insight on what I may need to replace the rings (tools, tips and hints)?
I just use a small screwdriver to get the end of the ring started out of the groove and spiral it out to the end. Reverse the procedure by starting one end of the ring in the groove and just spiralling it back on the bolt. Repeat twice more and the rings are installed.
Instead of the small screw driver i have a little tool that essentially looks like a piece of dental equipment. It has a hook on one end and flat spear looking shape on the other. The hook is great for stuff like this, its geometry is real useful for tricky stuff like this. Also is extremely useful for changing stuff like o-rings as well.
Email me on Monday at [email protected] an address to send them and a simple comment like "I'm the guy from Snipers Hide that needs the replacement gas rings" and I'll send a set of Ion-bonded rings to you at no charge.
John
John
I'd advise you to thoroughly inspect your bolt carrier for any manufacturing defects that may have resulted in the bolt ring failure. Standard bolt rings have been working successfully for 50+ years. Alternative rings and coated rings are nothing more than window dressings.
svxwilson,
How many total rounds have been fired?
I ask this because of what *appears* to be excessive wear. It may be flash reflection from the bolt, but there appears to be excessive wear or even gauling on the bolt. Examine the bolt and BC (bolt carrier) carefully, especially the BC bore for damage. The broken section of gas ring may be causing, or has caused the wear. As I said, it may be only reflection, and it may be no concern. If I see a missing or broken part, the questions are "what caused it and where did it go?".
How many total rounds have been fired?
I ask this because of what *appears* to be excessive wear. It may be flash reflection from the bolt, but there appears to be excessive wear or even gauling on the bolt. Examine the bolt and BC (bolt carrier) carefully, especially the BC bore for damage. The broken section of gas ring may be causing, or has caused the wear. As I said, it may be only reflection, and it may be no concern. If I see a missing or broken part, the questions are "what caused it and where did it go?".
Roger that. That bolt looks like it's seen way more than a few hundred rounds, or could have been used in a carrier that really beat it up for some reason. To see missing portions of a gas ring is unusual.
I will also say that not all gas rings are created equally, as far as materials selection goes. Vismod parts will wear unusually quick, and Daniel Defense doesn't use garbage. They are one of the few AR15 manufacturers who use top-end components, materials, and assembly methods. I'm not a fanboy, and I don't own any of their rifles, but I do know what they put into a gun, and it isn't the same as what some of the more well-known AR15 assemblers do.
I will also say that not all gas rings are created equally, as far as materials selection goes. Vismod parts will wear unusually quick, and Daniel Defense doesn't use garbage. They are one of the few AR15 manufacturers who use top-end components, materials, and assembly methods. I'm not a fanboy, and I don't own any of their rifles, but I do know what they put into a gun, and it isn't the same as what some of the more well-known AR15 assemblers do.
I have in the range of 700-1000 rounds through it. I will take another look at it. I have definitely used it. Shot this more than anything else since I got it. It has proven to be quite reliable. The last time out I didn't notice any change in it either. Has not been misbehaving. I just noticed the broken ring after cleaning and inspecting. I will take some better pics of the bolt and carrier tomorrow.Here is the rifle.
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Looking at the original pic I cannot see anything but normal wear. The finish is worn in the normal areas in the normal manner. There are some reflections in the pic. There MAY be an anomaly inside the bolt carrier that may have caused the ring to break, but more than likely the damage was self-inflicted. I've seen this damage more than once on other people's AR's and it is usually due to the bolt being forced into the carrier after cleaning. One of the rings will be "expanded" slightly out of the ring groove, and when the bolt is inserted into the carrier the end of the offending ring will get broken/damaged to the point that it will fail during use. I've seen these things continue to work flawlessly with just 1 ring left on the bolt and the owner completely unaware of a problem.
This is a combat-proven design and much more robust than most folks give it credit for. Examine the inside of the carrier etc. Put some rings in it, keep it wet and burn the barrel off of it. Be careful when you re-assemble it and if it does this again THEN worry about something wrong. My gun at home that I had to install a one-piece ring in was a Blackthorne (I know..) kit gun and it would be unusual for one NOT to be defective in some way. It is now my beater truck gun and has been good for several thousand rounds now. Afterwards, I installed a one-piece in all my AR's and have had zero issues with any of them, but I had zero issues with standard rings as well other than the 1 gun.
This is a combat-proven design and much more robust than most folks give it credit for. Examine the inside of the carrier etc. Put some rings in it, keep it wet and burn the barrel off of it. Be careful when you re-assemble it and if it does this again THEN worry about something wrong. My gun at home that I had to install a one-piece ring in was a Blackthorne (I know..) kit gun and it would be unusual for one NOT to be defective in some way. It is now my beater truck gun and has been good for several thousand rounds now. Afterwards, I installed a one-piece in all my AR's and have had zero issues with any of them, but I had zero issues with standard rings as well other than the 1 gun.
Just following up... Did the new gas rings arrive OK?
As I read some of the posts I went back and looked at your picture again. It doesn't appear there's any unusual wear to your bolt. I've looked at literally hundreds of them and nothing jumps out about yours... Except, of course, the broken gas ring. Hope it's fixed!
John
As I read some of the posts I went back and looked at your picture again. It doesn't appear there's any unusual wear to your bolt. I've looked at literally hundreds of them and nothing jumps out about yours... Except, of course, the broken gas ring. Hope it's fixed!
John
Thanks to your generosity it is fixed and has a very snug fit. After replacing them there was a significant difference in the way the bolt felt inside the BC. It went from loose to tight, it took some trying to get it to fit in the first time.
