[Bradley T]

I've got two factory assembled AR's; one a 16" and one a 20" and all spent brass ends up in a quite neat little pile about one o'clock or 1:30 with both of them. I don't think you're "over-gassed." I wouldn't mess with it. Let it do what it does.

 

[Bradley T]

If it’s truly chucking brass at 1 o’ clock and the brass isn’t just bouncing off something, that isn’t typical for a 20” AR with a rifle-length gas system. It may not make a practical difference, but something isn’t quite right.

Might just require a stiffer buffer spring. I figured that is what they did. I shot the carbine today and just like usual the spent cases landed right off the slab at about 2:00 in a nice little 20 round pile from sitting position. I always fire factory ammo and the thing puts them pretty consistently in the black. That spring is the one it came with 5600 rounds ago. It's probably lost some of its moxie by now. Seems like the 20" does about the same thing though. Learning as I go.

 

[Bradley T]

Nahh, thing is very reliable! Might really change things by changing components out that S&W put in. I think I'll just live with the 2 o'clock ejection. I'm still not convinced that's a bad thing. At least it isn't landing cases on the shooter to the right. Good stuff to know though.

 

[Bradley T]

Cool.

 

[Bradley T]

I tried a new buffer spring in mine and it still ejects about 1 or 2 o'clock, but the cases really don't travel as far. Same ammo from same 200 round box. Spring doesn't feel much stiffer but sure seems to operate nice and smooth.
It was considerably warmer today. Bullets hit higher this time.

 

[Bradley T]

I replaced the buffer spring. The spent cases went the same direction by only landed half as far away.

4/27: Later, I realized I had a batch of problematic XM 193. Weak ammo- carbine also got a bit dirty. I got some good .223 for next time- and some Okay 20 rounders. I'll take note of what Ive really got then.
That ammo sure isn't getting any easier to come by.
Rifle is real smooth, never mangles cases. Thing works perfectly. Probably leave it the way it is. Heck I'm only firing about a hundred 'n fifty rounds a month these days. Thanks for all the great info!

 

[Bradley T]

landing half as far away at still 1:00 means they aren't bouncing off the ejection port as hard. bolt speed was lowered but not enough.

Cool footage. I think that deflector was put there to do what we're seeing in this slow-mo footage.