Is this gas key staked properly? (PIC)

Looks pretty good to me, should do the job although it's not exactly "proper" according to Colt's TDP
Who makes the carrier?

yep...

Lemme guess, CMMG? (really, i have absoulty no clue) It looks good.

I know Noveske and a few other AR companies stake their gas keys like that. Most companies just push the metal over top the screws with what seems to be a metal punch.

Thats good staking from some other kinds that i have seen. Some companies gas keys don't even look like they have been staked at all. That'll be fine. Some people seem to be a bit finnicky with their gas keys though.

My Stags are staked like that. I still staked them with a punch both fore and aft. It makes me feel better.

It is less than what my friends Colt Hbar or my DPMS Lopro classic are staked (both are almost identical). That appears to have less metal securing the bolts.

No, that's neither factory staking or correct field staking. If it was mine I'd restake it.

From the TM:


BSW

We're talking a .223 round here. That staking is plenty sufficient.

staking is supposed to deform the metal into and over the lips of the screws. That staking is not the proper way, but you'll know if it comes loose; check the line-ups. If it comes loose, get it re-tightened and stake it right. But, it shouldnt be too much a problem unless you are an operator with a happy switch

The object of staking is to have metal from the carrier key interfere with the movement of the bolts. Look at it very closely. If the metal's holding against the bolt well, you should be fine. If they are just cuts across both surfaces they don't have any holding ability. Make sense?

proper staking should "capture" the screw heads.

the metal of the key should be drifted inward, and stretched over the top of the head of the screw, towards the center of the hole, and be of sufficient measure to keep the screw head in the key, even if the head of the screw was sheared even with the top of the threaded portion of the screw.

that is definitly not staked great.

will it hold it in, if the screw wasnt tight?

never know.

What make is it?

No, but it may be okay. See this link for an explanation.

http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81462&highlight=jwise

You'll notice that the chisel mark did not retain the bolt head, nor did the 1 punch I added when I received the carrier. That repaired carrier now has 3 punches as per the TM.

BTW, the rifle kept working fine. I discovered the lost bolt head during cleaning. BSW

it's not proper at all, nor sufficient.

NO..

and it's a cmt

No, but it may be okay. See this link for an explanation.

http://forums.officer.com/forums/sho...ighlight=jwise

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. That was very informative. Pics are great showing the differences.