question about a gas tube?

[leatherneck448]

I had my ar apart the other day, and noticed that the gas tube was a bit loose?

Right where the tube goes into the upper reciever, (and where it mates to the gas key) I can take my finger and wiggle it around about 1mm (maybe a little less). It doesnt interfere with operation of the gun at all, thebolt still goes into battery, and the gas key still mates to the tube fine, I was just wondering if it may cause a problem later down the road?

any input helps.

Thanks,
Kenny

[BPTactical]

Perfectly normal and in fact preferable. You want a little play to allow the tube and gas key to self align under operation. Besides, if it was rock solid they would fail, that little bit of play soaks up a large amount of vibration and impact forces. You hit the main point Kenny-the key and tube mate up fine and it operates fine as well.
Now go back outside and play.....................

[FireMoth]

Yep, some times the best way to assess something you arent sure about is ask "does it work?"

I had a similar worry from a customer who noticed a rattle in his new 1911 after he cleaned it the first time. He worried he put something together wrong, but it just wasnt a match fir gun, so it rattled a little

Guns are pretty good about telling you when something is wrong, by simply failing to function