AR15 Charging Handle Mod/GAS Buster

[navybowhunter]

SO,

It is the end of the competition season for me, and it is time for me to swap out barrels, and get my primary and secondary (spare) rifles ready for next spring.

I bought Glen Zedikers book "The Competitive AR15 Builders Guide".  It is a decent book, LARGE print, lots of pics and easy to read.  Easy to follow?  Well.....when you get past Zedikers "ism's" it is a very informative book.

One thing I learned was about a mod to apply some hi-temp RTV sealant to fill the GAP in the charging handle.  This INTERESTED me a LOT, because often I get "gas blow by" in my eye when shooting.  It is more noticeable at 600 yards slow prone, and this is likely because my loads are a bit on the "HOT" side.

I asked several competitors, and most have done/do this mod.  It significantly cuts down the gas blow by.

I shoot typically without eye protection when competing unless the range requires it.  Most do not.  But....even with glasses the blow by of gas can be a nuisance.

I also watched a YOU Tube video this morning on it, and it looks like people that use supressors can benefit from this as well.

Here is the YOUtube Vid on it.  I plan to do my rifles this evening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vfo09GEcqA

[Lomshek]

I first read about the gasket gas buster mod on ar15.com probably 15 years ago and did it then to an A2 I had.  Can't say that I got a lot of gas in my eye before but I don't get anything since then even when I was shooting stinky Wolf steel. 

On my last one I tried to "pre-load" the charging handle so it was as pulled to the rear as far as possible so the gap was as big as possible.  The idea being the gasket material is "squished" a little when the charging handle is locked into place for a very air tight fit.

I've read three of Zediker's books.  The AR building book and a couple of reloading ones.  His writing style is very informal but I enjoy it as it makes the books read a little less like a dry manual.  Learned a ton in the reloading books that had me loading very precise ammo right off the bat.

[navybowhunter]

Lomshek,

The blow by I get is typically at 600 yards.  I am loading my rounds at the "upper edge" on the pressure spectrum, and that I believe is why I get some blow by.

Watched a Youtube video on this a few days ago.  The other issue is the "FWD assist", as gas can blow thru that as well.  For a LEFTY shooter this can be a huge annoyance, and the guy did say that the charging handle seal did reduce it some (the lefty)....to where it doesn't bother him as much.

Pretty straightforward mod, that has been known for quite some time.  I only learned about it thru Zedikers book.

R/
Chris

[maxwell]

The other issue is the "FWD assist", as gas can blow thru that as well.  For a LEFTY shooter this can be a huge annoyance, and the guy did say that the charging handle seal did reduce it some (the lefty)....to where it doesn't bother him as much.

I learned about the RTV mod on the National Match forum, and applied it to most of my ARs. Interestingly, I now go home from every match with a black smudge on my right cheek (lefty shooter with right-handed rifle). I assume that's from the gas/carbon now being blown out the ejection port.

[Nashville Stage]

Are adjustable gas blocks allowed in Highpower competitions? Rather than trying to seal off & redirect excess gas pressure, why not just reduce it at the source?

[Lomshek]

Lomshek,

The blow by I get is typically at 600 yards.  I am loading my rounds at the "upper edge" on the pressure spectrum, and that I believe is why I get some blow by.

Watched a Youtube video on this a few days ago.  The other issue is the "FWD assist", as gas can blow thru that as well.  For a LEFTY shooter this can be a huge annoyance, and the guy did say that the charging handle seal did reduce it some (the lefty)....to where it doesn't bother him as much.

Pretty straightforward mod, that has been known for quite some time.  I only learned about it thru Zedikers book.

R/
Chris

I've wondered about finding a quality upper without a forward assist for just that reason.  I'm not a lefty but it makes sense that a loosely sealed hole is going to have some blow through and eliminating the FA eliminates the hole.

I'm probably going to get the Armageddon Tactical charging handle and RTV it for the ultimate in gas sealing/redirecting.  It has an exaggerated lip that wraps around and over the rear of the upper to direct any gas that does blow out forward instead of into the shooter's face.


https://armageddontactical.com/products/charging-handle

I'm experimenting with some single load 80gr SMK's for a long distance competition and haven't had any particularly noticeable blowback with them but am not pushing the envelope too hard yet.

[navybowhunter]

Well,

Got around to doing the mod on my primary/backup rifle and my Modern Mil (A1).

Came out awesome.

Only downside to the mod, is the 24 hour cure time.  I used BLACK Permatex hi-temp RTV.  Should last me the majority of next season.

Biggest thing is to ensure you use a good release agent (the Johnsons wax worked great) and to degrease the handle well.  I used an isopropyl alcohol wipe on the application area and it seemed to help with a solid bond.

R/
Chris