Turn the table...

[Evil Monkey]

You know we always hear about how the AR15's direct gas system causes jams and various malfunctions due to fouling and then we hear about how if they're kept clean, nothing will happen to them. Then we hear about AK's and how they're reliable and all that blah blah blah.

What if....your were to take an AK and change the op system to direct gas impingement, would the AK suffer like the AR15? I've always thought it was a tolerance issue: therefore, an AK with direct gas impingement should have no problems because of more clearance?

Somebody should build a DI AK and test it out.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

First of all, a nit-pick. You mean "clearances" not "tolerances." "Clearances" refers to the space allowed between parts. "Tolerances" mean how much parts are allowed to vary in size. In a system with large "tolerances" you can get "stacking" of tolerances -- a cylinder on the small end of the spectrum maded with a large piston, for example. This results in decreased reliability.

One key to the AK 47's reliability is its robust gas system -- it's a slam-bang system, with relief holes in the cylinder. The idea is to give the gun more gas than it needs and allow the excess to vent to the outside. Changing the gas system would decrease its legendary reliability.