Why short gas tubes?

Nigel · June 20, 2004, 09:42

Just wondering why, or what is the advantage of, a short gas tube? Is there a real reason, or is it "just because"?

Powderfinger · June 20, 2004, 09:51

Permanent, one less little pin to loose. May be other reasons.

Bruce Allen · June 20, 2004, 09:54

Reasons:
#1. Cost cutting measure.
#2. IMHO - cleaner.. the original gas tube "pipes" debris directly into the upper receiver area fouling it.
I have compaired upper receiver fouling with two FAL's, one with long and other with short gas tubes. The short tube'd FAL had signifigantly less fouling in the upper reciever.

tac-40 · June 20, 2004, 19:30

It is my understanding that the shortening of the gas tube was a result of the failure of the gas tube threads on older rifles allowing the tube to be blown out of the gas block. Disabled rifle, BAAADDD. It became an arsenal repair to shorten and solder the tubes when the threads were worn. It apparently became standard on rifles of certain manufacture to ensure reliability and as a cost cutting measure. Just my 0.02.

Brian in MN · June 20, 2004, 20:31

The first model gas tube could not be removed without unscrewing the barrel from the receiver. It is my pet theory that the short gas tube was an early way around the non-removable gas tube. The short tube is much easier to clean than the full lenght non-removable tube. At about the same time that the Austrians were tooling up the removable full length tube came into production.

Just a theory without a shred of documentation to support it.

cadillac · June 20, 2004, 20:42

Tons easier to keep clean. That's enough for me.

ftierson · June 20, 2004, 23:50

There was a short thread on this a couple of days ago under General Firerarms entitled gas cylinder .

Nigel · June 21, 2004, 06:50

Thanks ftierson, and future searchers thank you for putting the search phrase in this thread. I searched and searched using search terms including gas tube, and combinations threreof, and couldn't find an answer....

ftierson · June 21, 2004, 12:54

It's amazing what a word or two difference in titles makes to search functions, isn't it?

If only people would use the correct names for things, like, in this case, gas tube instead of gas cylinder (both, of course, are probably technically correct).

I, myself, of course, never use less than correct nomenclature. (And, if you believe that, I have some swampland in Florida for sale, cheap. It's just off the shore of Key West).

June 20, 2004, 09:54	#3
Bruce Allen Registered FALaholic #: 186 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: SC Posts: 4,943	Reasons: #1. Cost cutting measure. #2. IMHO - cleaner.. the original gas tube "pipes" debris directly into the upper receiver area fouling it. I have compaired upper receiver fouling with two FAL's, one with long and other with short gas tubes. The short tube'd FAL had signifigantly less fouling in the upper reciever. __________________ You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal,' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians. It creates a hostile work environment.

June 20, 2004, 19:30	#4
tac-40 Moderator Armed Curmudgeon FALaholic #: 12090 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: SC-Low Country Posts: 4,554	It is my understanding that the shortening of the gas tube was a result of the failure of the gas tube threads on older rifles allowing the tube to be blown out of the gas block. Disabled rifle, BAAADDD. It became an arsenal repair to shorten and solder the tubes when the threads were worn. It apparently became standard on rifles of certain manufacture to ensure reliability and as a cost cutting measure. Just my 0.02. __________________ Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom. Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr. USAF ______________________________ If you do in fact have a problem, you have the rest of your life to solve it. How long your life lasts only depends on how well you solve it.

June 20, 2004, 20:31	#5
Brian in MN Registered FALaholic #: 289 Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 4,927	The first model gas tube could not be removed without unscrewing the barrel from the receiver. It is my pet theory that the short gas tube was an early way around the non-removable gas tube. The short tube is much easier to clean than the full lenght non-removable tube. At about the same time that the Austrians were tooling up the removable full length tube came into production. Just a theory without a shred of documentation to support it. __________________ Kalashnikov: The most successful point and click interface in the world.

June 20, 2004, 20:42	#6
cadillac Registered FALaholic #: 3235 Join Date: May 2001 Location: Lincoln County, MT Posts: 3,495	Tons easier to keep clean. That's enough for me. __________________ United We Stand - Falaholics One and All Last edited by cadillac; June 20, 2004 at 20:51.

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June 20, 2004, 09:42	#1
Nigel Registered FALaholic #: 7552 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 18	Why short gas tubes? Just wondering why, or what is the advantage of, a short gas tube? Is there a real reason, or is it "just because"?

June 20, 2004, 09:51	#2
Powderfinger Registered Contributor FALaholic #: 12897 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: WA state Posts: 3,764	Permanent, one less little pin to loose. May be other reasons. __________________ The world's greatest forger is unknown. Truth is the cry of all, but the game of few. George Berkeley

June 20, 2004, 23:50	#7
ftierson Registered FALaholic #: 13827 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 11,205	There was a short thread on this a couple of days ago under General Firerarms entitled gas cylinder .

June 21, 2004, 06:50	#8
Nigel Registered FALaholic #: 7552 Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 18	Thanks ftierson, and future searchers thank you for putting the search phrase in this thread. I searched and searched using search terms including gas tube, and combinations threreof, and couldn't find an answer....

June 21, 2004, 12:54	#9
ftierson Registered FALaholic #: 13827 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 11,205	It's amazing what a word or two difference in titles makes to search functions, isn't it? If only people would use the correct names for things, like, in this case, gas tube instead of gas cylinder (both, of course, are probably technically correct). I, myself, of course, never use less than correct nomenclature. (And, if you believe that, I have some swampland in Florida for sale, cheap. It's just off the shore of Key West).