Has anyone run a bootleg carrier in a large UU kit, specifically 6.5g? The lack of an adjustable gas block concerns me so I was wondering if this would be a solution.
Bootleg in Larue UU 6.5G
- Thread starter Primus
- Start date
I had the bootleg in a 223 and with the settings and shooting not suppressed it cycles or not. Meaning with it on the setting for less gas it never locked back the bolt. So, I think they are pointless unless shooting with a sup. Grendel may be different though.
The Bootleg carrier has 4 settings, not just suppressed and unsuppressed. Sure you didn't use a Gemtech or something else?
It was for sure the Bootleg. I literally only used it one range trip but it was one click down and my rifle would not lock back. But it was a mid length 14.5" I did not play with it much. It does seem well made though and probably has merit. Probably not much help with my limited use with it. I have seen great reviews on them.
Then your rifle was properly gassed and didn't need any further gas reduction. Did you not understand what that adjustment was for, or how to determine if your rifle is gassed correctly?
The whole point of the Bootleg carrier (and others like Gemtech too) is to adjust gas for suppressed use. If you're not using it with a suppressor, and your rifle is already tuned right, there's no reason to use an adjustable carrier.
The whole point of the Bootleg carrier (and others like Gemtech too) is to adjust gas for suppressed use. If you're not using it with a suppressor, and your rifle is already tuned right, there's no reason to use an adjustable carrier.
I knew what it was for- I bought it as a complete upper and was toying with it to see if it cycled with it adjusted. That's all. I do not shoot with a sup. so no use to me and yes as you said if the rifle is not way over gassed it seemed pointless for my use. I got a smoking deal on it and wanted to try the upper, but I literally have over a dozen AR's and did not need that one!
An adjustable carrier seems like a waste of money to me. Does it work sure. However, your cutting the gas down at the carrier, not the block, so all that extra gas has to go somewhere, and that somewhere is inside the gun. But just my thoughts on the matter.
Scott
Scott
No, it doesn't go inside the gun. The Bootleg carrier vents gas out the ejection port; it's a bleed off system rather than a restriction. The whole point is to dump excess gas when you switch to suppressed shooting; it does that well. It's not intended to be a replacement for an adjustable gas block.
If you just need a method of tuning your rifle unsuppressed, an adjustable gas block is a much better choice. Only add a Bootleg carrier after that if you plan to shoot with a suppressor some of the time.
In my 556 I was having short stroke problems, the problem came down to the Bootleg carrier even on the un-suppressed setting. I had to open up my gas port for it to work without my can.
IMO, a vent to atmosphere gas block like that made by Superlative Arms is the best way to go about solving gas issues. Upgrading it might not be as easy as changing the bolt carrier, but will let you use any BCG you want. IIRC Lantac has a BC that directs gas at an angle to avoid gas face when suppressed.
The issue is if a adjustable gas block is not practical for whatever reason.. and they all have their own drawbacks and limitations, would the bootleg provide some relief in an over gassed gun?
Yes, it can help a little bit. You just won't get the range of adjustment that you can with an adjustable gas block.
I sometimes use the Bootleg carrier in my SBR Grendel this way, unsuppressed - the gun is tuned for my normal loads (using 8208XBR powder), and with one other load (129 ABLR and Leverevolution powder) it's pretty overgassed so I turn the carrier adjustment to position 2 when shooting that load. I pretty much only use that load for hunting, so it's not worth changing the gas block tuning, and it's easy to visually check if the carrier is adjusted for that load.
Alternatively, you could consider an adjustable gas key, which you'd install on the bolt carrier you already have. I'm not a big fan of adjustable gas keys, but if you don't have the equipment to change a gas block, it is a functional option.
Of course going to a heavier buffer is an option as well.
