Joined
·
681 Posts
I just picked up one of the new gas blocks for my shorty yesterday and wanted share the results from today.
I had my barrel cut to 11 inches several months ago. After that my XCR would only run hot ammo such as S&B m193, American Eagle m88 (I think), tracers, etc. in 5.56, 55grain. I had tried Winchester white box 223 rem and Hornady tap, but they wouldn't even come close to cycling the gun. I bought several cases of S&B and AE and ran the gun at Tactical Defense Institute, Ohio for three days without any issues. I just hated being limited to very specific ammo.
Today I tested a few different loads. I set the gas block to the #4 setting and proceeded to shoot AE, just to be sure nothing changed. Before the new gas block, the spent cases (hot ammo) would land about 9-12 feet away... this was with the old gas block drilled open. The new one yielded cases flying about 25 feet or so... way too far.
Turned the setting to #3 and they were landing around 18 feet. At #2 about 15 ft.
I then ran white box 223 rem. on #2 and the casings landed about 8-9 ft. Same with TAP and remember this stuff couldn't begin to cycle it before.
I actually forgot there was a #1 setting and didn't shoot that setting but I'm sure the hot stuff will come in a bit closer.
So, overall it works great. And the adjustment is super quick and easy. Just push the little button and turn to your desired setting. No wrenches or other nonsense. I wish it would have been like this from the start but that doesn't matter now.
![]()
![]()
![]()
I had my barrel cut to 11 inches several months ago. After that my XCR would only run hot ammo such as S&B m193, American Eagle m88 (I think), tracers, etc. in 5.56, 55grain. I had tried Winchester white box 223 rem and Hornady tap, but they wouldn't even come close to cycling the gun. I bought several cases of S&B and AE and ran the gun at Tactical Defense Institute, Ohio for three days without any issues. I just hated being limited to very specific ammo.
Today I tested a few different loads. I set the gas block to the #4 setting and proceeded to shoot AE, just to be sure nothing changed. Before the new gas block, the spent cases (hot ammo) would land about 9-12 feet away... this was with the old gas block drilled open. The new one yielded cases flying about 25 feet or so... way too far.
Turned the setting to #3 and they were landing around 18 feet. At #2 about 15 ft.
I then ran white box 223 rem. on #2 and the casings landed about 8-9 ft. Same with TAP and remember this stuff couldn't begin to cycle it before.
I actually forgot there was a #1 setting and didn't shoot that setting but I'm sure the hot stuff will come in a bit closer.
So, overall it works great. And the adjustment is super quick and easy. Just push the little button and turn to your desired setting. No wrenches or other nonsense. I wish it would have been like this from the start but that doesn't matter now.
