AR Gas Vent review

[bikemutt]

So I finally get my 10.5" barrel AR15 SBR built with full intentions of using it suppressed. The first time out I darn near croaked from the smoke and fumes, and that's with a tuned adjustable gas block. I started to have second thoughts about shooting such a short barrel semi-auto suppressed.

I figured it couldn't hurt to try the AR Gas Vent from Simplistic Shooting Solutions. It replaces the forward assist with a fixed look-alike that has a hole which vents the pressurized combustion gases away from the shooters face. After installing one on this AR15 upper it was off to the range.

My takeaway is this device does not eliminate the problem entirely, it does however mitigate it to the point where it's acceptable. Before installing I could not even take the second shot in a group, the amount of acrid fumes resulted in burning eyes and, if I dared to breath, burning lungs. Today I could complete a slow fire 5 shot group without needing a medic rescue.

I've decided to stick with my plan to use this upper as a suppressor host .

 

[rjrivero]

You can modify the charging handle as well. Drill a vent hole on the side opposite your face to divert gas and use some RTV to form a "dam" to keep the smoke sway from your face.

 

[Surculus]

Piston upper? Now you know why...

 

[bikemutt]

Piston makes no difference, fumes that materialize from suppressor use are entering from the breach. Try it sometime.

 

[Captains1911]

You could also make DIY gas busting charging handle. It's simple and cheap, and works.

http://www.03designgroup.com/technotes/do-it-yourself-gas-buster-charging-handle

 

[HRnightmare]

I added a PRI gas buster to my 10.5 Suppressed SBR and it eliminated nearly ALL the gas and unburnt powder coming back on my face. A bit still dumps out at the ejection port but not bad. After the end of 250-300 rds you can see some small specks of it on my shoulder / upper arm. Nothing major.

I cannot remember the exact different in the PRI Gas buster charging handle off the top of my head and I was skeptical about spending like $45-50 on a charging handle but side by side comparison with the OEM one and I do not regret it.

I run a Nickel Boron coated bolt carrier group which are supposed to be slick to the touch so they require less lubrication. MY weapon will function fine with a completely dry BCG (not saying I do) but I have noticed there is slightly less blowback when I soak the bolt.