Staked gas key?

[mljdeckard]

I have watched a certain amount of bickering in her over the quality of commercial ARs, whether or not mil-spec is really all that great, and how one of the key features of a good AR is if the gas key is properly staked.

SO, last week I was cleaning an issued rifle, and I noticed immediately that the key was wiggling in my fingers. I pointed it out to the NCOIC, and he quietly walked it back to the armorer, and returned a few minutes later with it tight again, obviously they wanted to tighten it up a bit and avoid turn-in paperwork. I figured, "Oh well. Their rifle, not mine."

But it got my mind moving a bit. If this was mil-spec, either this rifle was TOTALLY hammered, or being staked doesn't make that much difference in the first place. Right?

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

Properly-done staking does make a difference.

Even Colt and FN will put out a few that aren't properly staked.

Okay, I'm assuming you're military and that NCOIC means non-commissioned officer-in-charge. Am I right on either count?

 

[mljdeckard]

yep.

 

[Coronach]

Well, you were looking at it. Was it staked properly? If not (and I bet not), then you had a case of FN or Colt (anyone else make M16s?) turning out an improperly staked rifle. Happens. If it was properly staked and still loose, you have a curiousity on your hands, because I cannot see how such a thing would be possible. I suppose it could have been loose and staked when loose, but that would be a real knuckleheaded move.

Question: was it staked peoperly when it was returned to you?

Mike

 

[mljdeckard]

The notches were there AS IF it had been staked at one time, I guess they just torqued down the hex screws.

 

[SHvar]

Goes to show you that staking is not the be all, and end all to secure the parts on anything made of metal. I have a properly staked DPMS, its looks identical to the staking job on my friends colt.
You know most motorcycles do not require checking the torque of the bolts and nuts that hold them together, unless its a harley davidson.
All manufacturers will have issues in a few rifles, but some people like to be brand snobs no matter what the truth is.

 

[Coronach]

It may have been staked from the factory, but they could have replaced the gas key and not re-staked it. That would explain everything, considering that, apparently, they just re-torqued the hex screws and returned the rifle to you w/o restaking it this time, too.

Mike

 

[Coronach]

Goes to show you that staking is not the be all, and end all to secure the parts on anything made of metal.

How, precisely, does it do that?

Mike