Do I need a new gas tube?

LVBrit · May 12, 2009, 21:30

While checking out my handguard attachments I noticed that the gas tube is slightly loose and can be rotated about 5-10°. Does this mean the threads have been buggered at the regulator end and I need a new one?

Thanks

Steve

arakfal · May 12, 2009, 21:33

I am not beside my FAL right now, but I am pretty sure they turn a little bit.

**bykerhd** · May 12, 2009, 21:52

That's about normal.
The "stop" is the pin on the underside of the gas block.
The pin must be removed before the gas tube is removed to prevent thread damage to the gas tube. But, the fit of the tube to the pin is loose enough normally to allow the slop you feel.

Radio · May 12, 2009, 22:28

Totally normal. The gas tube has to be able to move due to the great heat it gets from direct contact with combustion gases. In fact a proper installation would be to screw it into the gas block as far as it goes, then BACK IT OFF enough to allow insertion of the gas tube pin. And at that, all the pin does is keep the gas tube from unscrewing itself, NOT keep it from moving at all.

By the way I'm seeing about a thousand of these type questions in this forum. What happened to Gunsmithing And Do It Yourself??

--Radio

LVBrit · May 13, 2009, 01:23

Quote:

Originally posted by Radio
Totally normal. The gas tube has to be able to move due to the great heat it gets from direct contact with combustion gases. In fact a proper installation would be to screw it into the gas block as far as it goes, then BACK IT OFF enough to allow insertion of the gas tube pin. And at that, all the pin does is keep the gas tube from unscrewing itself, NOT keep it from moving at all.

By the way I'm seeing about a thousand of these type questions in this forum. What happened to Gunsmithing And Do It Yourself??

--Radio

My mistake for putting this in the general forum. Now I think about it a bit more, there is no way that the gas tube could be tight as this would impart some tension or pressure to the barrel. If this was not consistent on every gun during assembly, can you imagine trying to zero them?

**bykerhd** · May 13, 2009, 10:34

Short gas tubes are silver soldered ? in place and DON'T move at all.
I believe the short tubes were originally the armory fix for rifles with worn gas blocks and/or tubes that would leak too much gas and sometimes separated when fired. The tubes were shortened by about half and the threaded section then permanently fixed in to the gas block. Very reliable set-up.

Radio · May 13, 2009, 21:44

Unless you bend it.

May 12, 2009, 21:30	#1
LVBrit Registered FALaholic #: 31125 Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 40	Do I need a new gas tube? While checking out my handguard attachments I noticed that the gas tube is slightly loose and can be rotated about 5-10°. Does this mean the threads have been buggered at the regulator end and I need a new one? Thanks Steve

May 12, 2009, 22:28	#4
Radio Registered FALaholic #: 263 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Eastern Washington State Posts: 9,868	Totally normal. The gas tube has to be able to move due to the great heat it gets from direct contact with combustion gases. In fact a proper installation would be to screw it into the gas block as far as it goes, then BACK IT OFF enough to allow insertion of the gas tube pin. And at that, all the pin does is keep the gas tube from unscrewing itself, NOT keep it from moving at all. By the way I'm seeing about a thousand of these type questions in this forum. What happened to Gunsmithing And Do It Yourself?? --Radio __________________ Train Like You Fight: Second PLace is NOT an Option. --E.M. (Ted) Dannemiller II* "You seem to fantasize about me a lot. Maybe you should tell your boyfriend? He could dress up like me or something." --*K.O.A.M.*, November 9th, 2009 "You're better off hoping she don't miss, it's quicker that way." --ce, December 15, 2009

May 13, 2009, 21:44	#7
Radio Registered FALaholic #: 263 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Eastern Washington State Posts: 9,868	Unless you bend it. __________________ Train Like You Fight: Second PLace is NOT an Option. --E.M. (Ted) Dannemiller II* "You seem to fantasize about me a lot. Maybe you should tell your boyfriend? He could dress up like me or something." --*K.O.A.M.*, November 9th, 2009 "You're better off hoping she don't miss, it's quicker that way." --ce, December 15, 2009

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May 12, 2009, 21:33	#2
arakfal Registered FALaholic #: 38039 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Wood of Southern Arkansas Posts: 250	I am not beside my FAL right now, but I am pretty sure they turn a little bit.

May 12, 2009, 21:52	#3
bykerhd Dinosaur Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 2798 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burlington Vermont area Posts: 13,262	That's about normal. The "stop" is the pin on the underside of the gas block. The pin must be removed before the gas tube is removed to prevent thread damage to the gas tube. But, the fit of the tube to the pin is loose enough normally to allow the slop you feel.

May 13, 2009, 10:34	#6
bykerhd Dinosaur Bronze Contributor FALaholic #: 2798 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Burlington Vermont area Posts: 13,262	Short gas tubes are silver soldered ? in place and DON'T move at all. I believe the short tubes were originally the armory fix for rifles with worn gas blocks and/or tubes that would leak too much gas and sometimes separated when fired. The tubes were shortened by about half and the threaded section then permanently fixed in to the gas block. Very reliable set-up.