AR 15 Adjustable Gas Block or 20 inch upper?

[michael777]

Man I would just get a different barrel or upper, you may be disappointed at the end of this because the carbine gas will always run at a higher pressure than mid or rifle gas even with an adjustable gas block due to having less gas volume in the first place. It's honestly barely overgassed if it's shooting at 2-3 o'clock. Going up one buffer weight would put it in the right "zone" but I doubt it would even feel that much different.

I think you’re absolutely correct. This started as a budget build with my poverty state armory freedom rifle kit. Honestly for the price it’s a really nice rifle but it has it’s limitations. I’ve ordered the BRT gas tube so we will see what happens. I also ordered the war hammer charging handle as it’s about 1/3 the price of the radian raptor SD and seems to help just as much with the gas to the face and is just as aesthetically pleasing. And it’s not like I’m running suppressed so it’s just a little gas to face. Not too much. And again hopefully the new gas tube cuts down on the pressure as well.

If after all this if I’m still not happy with my upper I will just wait until Black Friday for a better upper with a mid length gas system that comes with a free float barrel and install a wojtek adjustable gas block and call it a day.

As Randall was suggesting even a set screw type of deal wouldn’t work with the upper I have now because the front is blocked off. It used to have the clam shell, now it has a drop in quad rail that was like 20 bucks.

I have previously owned a Daniel defense ar 15 and it was nothing special to me. Oddly enough the fist ever AR 15 I ever bought was a used sig sauer m400. Man I miss that sig. It was just a regular 16 inch carbine but it shot so unbelievably smooth. I’m really regretting selling it. I’m just trying to chase that feeling again.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

I think you’re absolutely correct. This started as a budget build with my poverty state armory freedom rifle kit. Honestly for the price it’s a really nice rifle but it has it’s limitations. I’ve ordered the BRT gas tube so we will see what happens. I also ordered the war hammer charging handle as it’s about 1/3 the price of the radian raptor SD and seems to help just as much with the gas to the face and is just as aesthetically pleasing. And it’s not like I’m running suppressed so it’s just a little gas to face. Not too much. And again hopefully the new gas tube cuts down on the pressure as well.

If after all this if I’m still not happy with my upper I will just wait until Black Friday for a better upper with a mid length gas system that comes with a free float barrel and install a wojtek adjustable gas block and call it a day.

As Randall was suggesting even a set screw type of deal wouldn’t work with the upper I have now because the front is blocked off. It used to have the clam shell, now it has a drop in quad rail that was like 20 bucks.

I have previously owned a Daniel defense ar 15 and it was nothing special to me. Oddly enough the fist ever AR 15 I ever bought was a used sig sauer m400. Man I miss that sig. It was just a regular 16 inch carbine but it shot so unbelievably smooth. I’m really regretting selling it. I’m just trying to chase that feeling again.

for sure, you are on the right track as far as how to get a nice shooting rifle. There's really no "magic" that sig does or Geissele does that makes it shoot nicely it's all based on how much gas and how much reciprocating mass you have. A heavy buffer will make it more "soft" but at the expense of muzzle rise. I am a big fan of lightweight bolt carriers and adjustable gas blocks, people that say they aren't reliable just don't know how to set them up or aren't using lube/cleaning their bcg. I would get the tools and just learn to build your own uppers that's how you can save the most money, criterion makes a 16" rifle gas that is super nice. As for making this one better, you can also throw a muzzle brake on, the J comp is actually pretty decent for the price and isn't super concussive (still sucks at indoor ranges though)

 

[michael777]

for sure, you are on the right track as far as how to get a nice shooting rifle. There's really no "magic" that sig does or Geissele does that makes it shoot nicely it's all based on how much gas and how much reciprocating mass you have. A heavy buffer will make it more "soft" but at the expense of muzzle rise. I am a big fan of lightweight bolt carriers and adjustable gas blocks, people that say they aren't reliable just don't know how to set them up or aren't using lube/cleaning their bcg. I would get the tools and just learn to build your own uppers that's how you can save the most money, criterion makes a 16" rifle gas that is super nice. As for making this one better, you can also throw a muzzle brake on, the J comp is actually pretty decent for the price and isn't super concussive (still sucks at indoor ranges though)

Thanks Mister. I agree with you on all points. Muzzle brake I know will definitely help a lot but I’m very against them. They just create too much obnoxious sound for my taste.

I wish the hearing safety act would pass. I would be the first one to throw a suppressor on. In this day and age I really don’t think there is a reason for guns to be so loud and having to wear ear protection. But that’s another story.

At any rate, I will continue to tinker with this rifle and try to make it run smooth as possible. But the next one will definitely be a musket. Get the a2 stock and 20 inch upper and adjustable gas system. Have that thing purring like a sewing machine.

 

[AR15barrels]

If after all this if I’m still not happy with my upper I will just wait until Black Friday for a better upper with a mid length gas system that comes with a free float barrel and install a wojtek adjustable gas block and call it a day.

I have previously owned a Daniel defense ar 15 and it was nothing special to me. Oddly enough the fist ever AR 15 I ever bought was a used sig sauer m400. Man I miss that sig. It was just a regular 16 inch carbine but it shot so unbelievably smooth. I’m really regretting selling it. I’m just trying to chase that feeling again.

If softer shooting and a 16" barrel are your goal, get an intermediate gassed barrel instead of a midlength.
Intermediate is longer than midlength and shorter than rifle.
The softest shooting setups (assuming the same operational and overall mass) have 17-18" rifle, 16" intermediate and 14.5" midlength gassed barrels.
The longer a gas system is, the softer the gun will shoot.
Minimizing the dwell after the gas port will completely eliminate the gas to the face but going with too little dwell can make a gun unreliable so the suggestions I made above take that into account.
For example, you can get a 16" rifle gassed barrel, but they are not reliable with some 223 ammo and you generally have to stick with nato pressure ammo with heavier bullets to make them work which makes them expensive to shoot.

 

[michael777]

So I just got California blocked again. BRT refuses to ship to California. So no easy tube for me!

 

[michael777]

Randall I will see you today. We can discuss the set screw adjustable gas tube deal.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

I saw this today I believe these barrels are made by Rosco

https://gun.deals/product/expo-arms-556-nato-ar-15-barreled-upper-16-mid-length-overrun-27999

 

[michael777]

I saw this today I believe these barrels are made by Rosco

https://gun.deals/product/expo-arms-556-nato-ar-15-barreled-upper-16-mid-length-overrun-27999

Honestly not a bad deal. It’s better to buy this the. Continuing to waste money on my psa upper.

I wonder how much I could sell my psa upper for used?

 

[Deleted member 16735]

Honestly not a bad deal. It’s better to buy this the. Continuing to waste money on my psa upper.

I wonder how much I could sell my psa upper for used?

probably 150-200 ish I imagine. The Expo stuff isn't bad for the price, those handguards are actually decent I'm not sure who the OEM is but they make handguards for a ton of people and the wedge lock system is solid. as good as it's gonna get in that price range for sure

 

[michael777]

probably 150-200 ish I imagine. The Expo stuff isn't bad for the price, those handguards are actually decent I'm not sure who the OEM is but they make handguards for a ton of people and the wedge lock system is solid. as good as it's gonna get in that price range for sure

I just ordered another tungsten weight to tune my set up to h3. After that if it’s still not to my standard I’m just gonna sell it or trade it for a 20 inch musket

 

[michael777]

I’m thinking about building a musket with this as the upper. It seems like Bear Creek kind of has a mixed reputation but getting better over the years. I really like the idea of side charging, no chance of gas to the face and it won’t get in the way of an optic….

BC-15 | 5.56 NATO Right Side Charging Upper | 20" Parkerized Heavy Barrel | 1:7 Twist | Rifle Length Gas System | 15" MLOK Split Rail | with BCG & Charging Handle

Grab a high-quality 20" AR-15 Side Charging 5.56 NATO Complete Upper Assembly featuring the new handguard from Bear Creek Arsenal! Made in America with a lifetime warranty!

www.bearcreekarsenal.com