Quick AK question Gas tube related...
Hey yall I have a couple quick questions.
Just to make sure before placing an order, a fully converted Saiga can use an Arsenal gas tube correct? Just asking because the rifle came with a custom gas tube that goes with the rail that came on it. Well the rail is getting replaced with a MI extended rail and I need to get a regular gas tube for it.
One more question, do I get the vented or non-vented gas tube? What does one do that the other doesn't do?
Thanks!
vented or non vented does not matter by the time the piston gets to that postion it has enough energy to complete the cycle as long as your recoil springs are standard which most to all are. and depending on how well the conversion is done anything mislpec, this is a loose term for aks, but should fit for gas tubes
If your gas block has little holes drilled in it where the gas tube attaches to it, get the non-vented. If the gas block has no holes, get the vented gas tube.
Any standard length AK gas tube will work on your rifle, Arsenal or otherwise.
Yes this is good info in which I did not include as long as the gas block is not vented.
Vents in the gas tube and gas block do not affect the function of the weapon at all.
In my experience and observations, they do serve to keep the action of the weapon somewhat cleaner however. Seems as though the vents give the blast of hot gas and residue somewhere else to go instead of forcing all of it straight back out under the rear sight and into the receiver.
I checked and my rifle's gas block does not have any vent holes in it, but neither does the custom gas tube that was on it. Probably because the rail went over the top and down the length of the gas tube.
So since my gas block does not have holes drilled in it, I should get the vented gas tube correct? Or does it really even matter? Is the only thing that the vent holes do is help to keep the rifle a little cleaner by giving the gases somewhere to go instead of back into the receiver?
Originally Posted By camoman33935:
I checked and my rifle's gas block does not have any vent holes in it, but neither does the custom gas tube that was on it. Probably because the rail went over the top and down the length of the gas tube.
So since my gas block does not have holes drilled in it, I should get the vented gas tube correct? Or does it really even matter? Is the only thing that the vent holes do is help to keep the rifle a little cleaner by giving the gases somewhere to go instead of back into the receiver?
Everything I have read agrees that "vent vs. no vent" is a non-issue. This gets covered every so often here with the same conclusion.
It does not matter either way but I do think you need vent holes on one or the other.
I am using a vented Bulgarian ak47 gas tube on my Romanian ak74 with a vented gas block and it runs slightly better overall with this setup vs the factory vented GB nonvented tube setup
One thing to think about on the newer Russians is that they are all AK74 type rifles, even the 7.62 models. I tried a Polish AKM gas tube on a Russian Saiga front end and it fit great between the gas block and rear sight but the lower handguard retained is taller on the 74(as least it is on Rus and Bulg 74s). So I would advise you to get a Russian or Bulgarian AK74 tube.
Edit; You could get one of these
AKM and sand the bottom of the front HG part down to fit. It would be $20 less than the correct one from K-var. Also note that Polish parts are usually finished in semi-gloss not flat like your Russian.
