This last weekend, I provided a buddy a side-by-side comparison of his standard AR and one of my AR15s with an adjustable gas block. His actual quote was, “Holy crap! When can you do that to mine?” Your first experience with an adjustable gas block will be an enlightening one. The near absence of recoil and almost non-moving sight picture is stunning to say the least, in the “Holy crap! Why did I not do this before?” kind of way. I maintain that an adjustable gas block is the most significant performance upgrade anyone can make to their AR-format rifle.
After my very first JP adjustable gas block, I was sold on the having the ability to tune the gas pressure on a standard direct impingement AR-15 system. The advantages are a plenty with a large reduction in recoil, faster recoil recovery, faster sight picture acquisition between shots, heat reduction at the bolt, and a bit cleaner running, all being the primary advantages.
A History & Why We Need Adjustable Gas Blocks on AR-15 Rifles
All things in the gas system must be in a Zen state of balance, and generally on an AR-15 direct impingement system, they are pretty unbalanced—tipping gluttonously in favor of a guarantee of reliability while making the deep sacrifice of heavier recoil in the process.
A direct impingement system works pretty simply: the round fires, the bullet travels down the barrel, the pressure is leached off via a gas port (small hole) in the barrel which pushes gas up into a gas block, the gas block reroutes the gas back down the gas tube and back into the BCG (bolt carrier group), that pressure presses on the bolt O-rings inside the carrier which unlocks the bolt and cycles the action. Repeat until the magazine is empty. The length and internal dimensions of gas tube, size of gas port in the barrel, internal dimensions of the gas block, placement of the gas block on the barrel gas port (correctly or incorrectly), barrel length, type of compensator or suppressor, placement of the gas port on the barrel more forward or backward, friction of the BCG, position and condition of the O-rings on the bolt, weight of the buffer, rate of the buffer spring, weight of the rifle, rate of powder burn of the ammo, amount of powder, how hot the primer is, bullet weight, whether the BCG bounced during the last cycle and is oh-so-slightly out of battery or not, a shooter’s shooting style, and more all play roles which much be kept in a Zen-like balance for functioning to work at the rifle’s optimum tuning point. Generally though, manufacturers have erred on the obscenely over-gassed side to guarantee reliability… even if it does beat up the shooter and components.
For many of us, the palm to the forehead/illuminating moment comes when we try a mid-length, or rifle-length, gas system with less recoil, and that seemed to run longer, cleaner, and cooler to some degree—all while being more reliable. Hmmm, less gas pressure.
All an adjustable gas block does is adjust gas pressure just like a faucet does with water. Even by turning that gas pressure down significantly, most gas system are so over-gassed that total reliability can still be had all while delivering huge benefits to the shooter. Today, we can control gas pressure with adjustable gas blocks like those from Superlative Arms. By using lighter weight Bolt Carrier Groups from Young or JP and low mass buffers and springs, we can turn the gas down even more for an amazingly light-recoiling AR-15.
How Adjustable AR Gas Blocks Works
Most people view the adjustable gas block in the same mindset as a fad like Shake Weights or Chia Pets instead of the innovation that it is. Oddly, many of these doubters I have talked with seem to embrace the adjustable piston systems which [cough] are in essence adjustable gas systems [cough], but they think adjustable direct impingement systems somehow have less merit. I am a believer in adjustable gas systems, I have shocked and awed myself and others during testing with the dramatic metamorphosis which occurs from transforming a punchy 5.56 AR-15 to a flat, soft, and fast shooting firearm by just by reducing gas pressure.
Generally, all “adjustable” gas blocks work the same. A screw simply pinches closed the gap between the barrel gas port, and the gas tube just like a faucet controlling a stream of water.
There is now a ton of adjustable gas blocks on the market that offer a screw stuck in a gas block. The idea is so simple even a lightly skilled individual such as me has converted many standard gas blocks to adjustable versions. The most significant problem becomes locking in the adjustment. This is where the patented Superative Arms and SLR adjustable gas blocks are a best option. It locks into position with a detent so the adjustment will never move on you.
How To Tune An Adjustable Gas Block For Performance & Reliability
- Assure the firearm is unloaded and the chamber is clear. (Syrac recommends tuning on a dry un-oiled-rifle with the lightest load you will use.)
- Carefully, turn the adjustment screw all the way down clockwise until it bottoms out, approximately three full turns and then back off one full turn.
- Load one round in the magazine and seat the magazine.
- Shoot the gun with an offhand shooting position. Bolt should lock back
- If BCG locks back, complete 6, if not complete 7.
- If the BCG locks back, turn the screw clockwise in ¼-turn increments repeating the steps 4-5 until the bolt no longer holds back, then back out counter-clockwise ¼-turn and proceed to step 8.
- If the BCG does not lock back turn the screw counter-clockwise in 1/4-turn increments repeating the steps 4-5 until the bolt holds back and proceed to step 7.
- Increase in counter-clockwise 1/4-turn increments as needed until the bolt holds back successfully three consecutive single-round shots.
- If successful, your AR-15 is now optimally tuned for that ammo.
- If concerned with assuring reliability with a broader range of ammo, then add 1/4- or 1/2-counter-clockwise turn. You will get a bit more recoil, however your reliability will increase if you swap ammo a lot. I usually add 1/2-turn and rarely have any problems going forward with any ammo.
Note: If you move an upper to a different lower ensure you use the buffer and buffer spring from the lower used to tune the upper, otherwise the gas block should be re-tuned.
Tuning Observations
Once you get things set up and tuned plus that 1/4- or 1/2-extra counter-clockwise turn, you will rarely if ever have any reliability issues all while enjoying a better shooting AR.
With an adjustable gas block, a standard AR-15 BCG, buffer and buffer spring is actually preferred instead of heavier H1, H2 variants and will allow a lower gas pressure setting and net you the biggest benefit of recoil reduction. After all, a lighter BCG, buffer and buffer spring requires less gas pressure to move.
If you move an upper to a different lower assure you use the buffer and buffer spring from the lower used to tune the upper, otherwise the gas block should be re-tuned. Additionally changes to muzzle brakes or flash hiders, changes to buffer, buffer spring, carrier, bolt, and handloads or low velocity rounds may require re-tuning for optimal reliability.
Final Thoughts
Adjustable gas blocks deliver a dramatic advantage for AR owners and, in my opinion, are the most significant performance upgrades you can make to shoot faster, reduce fatigue on you and your firearm, and potentially make your AR-15 shoot longer without the need for cleaning. Adjust away!