Staking a Gas Key on a BCG

[Capt45]

Anyone done this without the "proper" tool?

 

[akajun]

In armorer class a center punch is the proper tool

 

[Dusty Stevens]

A nicely sharpened chisel works well

 

[Capt45]

I did it! Used a old smooth tip Nail Punch. A little Oxpho blue and you can't tell I was there.
Thanks for the suggestions, beats paying ~$80 to Brownells for their jig, although I still might buy one.

 

[johnfred1965]

Did my last one with a Craftsman screwdriver. It just happened to be on top in the junk drawer!

 

[mac86951]

Yes to all of the above!

Youtube it; I like school of the american rifle; but there are plenty more. Goal is to move material to hold screws, center punch works great, use video to get the angle. It's a decent whack with an 8oz hammer.

-Mac

 

[Capt45]

Thanks fellas. BTW, anyone use Loc-tite or similar?

 

[6MMsteve]

with a good stake Job loctite is not needed, if you want a good stake job,,,tighten the bolt, then dent the bolt, then push metal in the dent of the bolt..thats how I do it..it's a little bigger dent but it holds well..your just creating a stop or anti rotation device thingy

 

[GenePoole]

On the military M16s, I've seen the gas tube glowing red through the handguards. I would think the gas key would get too hot for loc-tite to be effective.

 

[jelenko]

Young Mfg recommends using loctite only - no staking.

 

[akajun]

On the military M16s, I've seen the gas tube glowing red through the handguards. I would think the gas key would get too hot for loc-tite to be effective.

Correct,

 

[akajun]

Young Mfg recommends using loctite only - no staking.

Then I’d stay away from their products

 

[jelenko]

Then I’d stay away from their products

You might want to read why https://youngmanufacturing.net/staking-the-gas-key-on-the-ar-15-and-m-16-carrier/

 

[akajun]

That may be there opinion but the only thing that seals a gas key is carbon buildup from shooting and even then it’s not important. If that little bit of gas leaking is causing you problems you have other issues.
I can tell you that trying to remove a loctite gas key after years of shooting will make you curse the MF’r that did it. Same for people that feel the need to loctite the barrel nut instead of putting. Anti sieze.
the combination of loctite, carbon, solvent, and heat cool cycles bonds them together.
In armorer school we were taught to stake, no sealant, I’ve never seen a broken or loosened key that was properly staked.

 

[nicholst55]

FWIW, Colt actually recommends applying a liquid gasket material to the bottom of the key. I've replaced dozens of them on M16s and M4s over the years without any liquid gasket, normally just staking them with a center punch. As long as you're using quality (read: HARD) screws, it works just fine. I broke down and bought a MOACKS tool a while back, which is nice - but only needed if you're doing dozens of them.

 

[fayettefatts]

That may be there opinion but the only thing that seals a gas key is carbon buildup from shooting and even then it’s not important. If that little bit of gas leaking is causing you problems you have other issues.

Once upon a time that little bit of gas leaking caused my rifle to short stroke. Gas cutting made it worse. Carbon did not seal it. I would not recommend using a sealer, however, unless you have a leak that is causing problems.

 

[jepp2]

I broke down and bought a MOACKS tool a while back, which is nice - but only needed if you're doing dozens of them.

I agree. After I got into AR's I also decided to buy the MOACKS tool. I am sure a competent person can stake them using other means. I just didn't include myself in that category. But I will say I have never had any sort of problem with the gas key loosening on any BCG. I have some with over 15K rounds on them. I also buy better quality BCG's now, which are worth the money in my view.

 

[LVLAaron]

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

I would not use loctite. When you stake it right you can still back the screws out with a hex key, but they won’t come loose on their own. If you shoot ARs long enough you will find yourself wanting to remove a gas key from a bolt carrier because something is wrong with one of them. It’s already happened to me once.