Testing Methodology

How did we get here from there? Several years of testing, engineering, analysis, and becoming “the guys that make once-fired brass”, mountains of it! We had individual days of expending 10,000 rounds, then back to the shop for measurements, stress testing, and documenting. Here’s some of what DID NOT work, but shows just how far we have gone to truly make the strongest, longest lasting gas-piston system for the AR family or rifles on the market. Again, this is what DID NOT work, and is NOT the final product by any means.

This is placed here for your education and enjoyment only. This is way back nearly 2 years ago with our prototype key samples v8-v10. Current production model is v29. Every piece of this development process was thoroughly tested both digitally and under live fire to create the best design possible. This is one of literally hundreds of tests performed to answer every question correctly and scientifically. No guesswork was allowed, nothing was left to chance.

Test Purpose

Study – Determine Best Press-fit for gas key dowl

Determination – Press fit is not viable solution for system

Analysis Model

Key Models

Load Steps

Press-fit Load Comparison

Press-fit Load Comparison

Full Rod Load

Full Rod Load

Full Rod Load – Vertical Displacement

Press-fit Comparison