Noveske Switchblock/Adj. Gasblocks on .223 & .308

[Tactical22]

Anybody on here have experience with the Noveske Switchblock, especially on rifles that go back and forth from suppressed to unsuppressed? Any harder than a regular gas block to install? Is it as versatile ammo-wise as an adjustable gas block with a setscrew? Are they necessary on a .223? Can they be used on .308 AR's?

Based on my experiences with my JP adjustable gas block on my .308 Fultonstein build, I wouldn't want one without an adjustable gas system...

 

[yellowcarbon]

Re: Noveske Switchblock/Adj. Gasblocks on .223 & .308

I have no experience with the Noveske. But you may also look at the Paladin Machaine 3-way gas block. It has a lever that you turn to determine the gas flow you want. Typically it is set up in full gas, partial gas (for suppressed) and off. Paladin makes them per order and will do it to the gas hole size you want. I ran one on a 6.5 Grendel and absolutely loved it. It is only about $75 or so.

 

[KYS]

Re: Noveske Switchblock/Adj. Gasblocks on .223 & .308

I run the switchblock on my 223 SBR. It is a necessity when it comes to switching back and forth from suppressed to unsuppressed. They do not offer a 308 version yet.

You cant fine tune the gas system with it but it gets you to tolerable numbers when going back and forth from can on to can off.

 

[ORD]

Re: Noveske Switchblock/Adj. Gasblocks on .223 & .308

Noveske is working on a .308 specific switchblock, but who knows if/when it will ever become a reality. Last I heard, they had some "issues" getting it to run across a range of different .308/7.62 ammo and because of that, the project had taken a back seat to other projects at Noveske. I would NOT suggest using a 5.56/223 model on a .308 for various reasons including but not limited to the gas tube length differences, different gas port diameters, etc., etc., etc.!

Paladin Machine makes an adjustable gas block for the .308 ARs. Just give them a call and tell them what you are looking for and they'll build you what you need:

Paladin Machine Service
3832 Gates Ford Rd.
Kershaw, SC 29067
(803) 475-7542

 

[Tactical22]

Re: Noveske Switchblock/Adj. Gasblocks on .223 & .308

Do you feel like the Paladin is as good or better than a traditional set screw adj. gas block? Obviously a lever will be faster, but in my experience with .308 direct gas impingement, there is a vast array of profound pressure differences to contend with, and besides being a heat and wear issue, it seems to affect cycling and group size. I would never run a .308 AR WITHOUT an adj. gas block, but the setscrew type almost seems like a necessity, especially for precision.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Noveske Switchblock/Adj. Gasblocks on .223 & .308

After a few thousand rounds and a lot of tweeking with set-screw adjustable gas blocks (both suppressed and unsuppressed), I have come to the conclusion that they add little to no value. They did not reduce the amount of gas very much suppressed because the rifle would not function if I turned it low enough to really reduce the amount of fouling. Bottom line is I have switched back to a standard gas block and found better ways to adapt to suppressed firing. The best thing I have found is adding weight to the bolt carrier. I use a Tubb CWS and it is fantastic. Fouling in the receiver and on brass is greatly reduced. Brass is treated much nicer. Also, I was getting failures to lock back the bolt on the last round when firing suppressed. I could not change this with the adjustable gas block, but the CWS has completely solved the problem. The CWS delays bolt unlocking by a fraction of a second and reduces bolt overrun: that makes all the difference.

Dats my experience with a 20" AR-15, your mileage may vary.