Few gun pundits on youtube are as methodical, and thorough as Mr. Bell. Hats off to you sir for taking credible raw data & turning it into useful easy to understand information for all. Saves us novice a lot of time & money ;-)
At 19:30 you can clearly see that the bleed-off had far less gas coming back. The restrictive setting had gas going past his right shoulder in a huge plume of smoke.
Yeah, 3 holes with bleed off (gas tube, muzzle, bleed off port), 2 holes with restriction. The question becomes is it enough difference to make a difference. That's up to you and what you're looking for. Using restriction, you get a velocity jump. My 18" SPR with SA adjustable gas, beats my 20" M16A4 clone in velocity by 25 to 50 fps. If I were to lighten the buffer and spring and bolt carrier, I might be able to reduce the gas volume required to cycle, and possibly get more of a velocity jump. To me, the SA gas block is a good tool, because you can decide what benefits are most important to what you're trying to do.
I’ve watched this video so many times. I’m getting ready to take my AR10 to the range and set my suplerative arms gas block. I love how well presented this video is.
You are a breath of fresh air. Best videos on RU-vid hands down. Important information presented without ridiculous fluff or ego stocking. Thank you for awesome,.educational and entertaining videos
Great video and the information you provided in it is still true and valid in 2023. I will make one note to the video and that I personally have notice more of a benefit when using this adjustable gas block on SBRs and especially when they are suppressed.
I've only got five minutes into the video and I respect the hell out of the way that you do this process. Just like some other people have said it's very methodical and thoughtful in regards to different possibilities from changing the gas system. Thanks to you I'm going to purchase this device to go with my new free float handguard I think this company should sponsor you.
I am going to advertise your channel and try to get you some more subscribers. Probably one of, if not the most educational firearm related channel I have ever come across.
Wow, thanks. This is one of my retirement projects. I retired from a surgical practice in 2014 and my kids started me on this project. I have been collecting and building for the past 25 years or so.
That explains why there is so much detail presented in your videos along with a clear and on track objective. I work EMS and have been involved with firearms for about 11 years now. This is a channel people can actually learn something from compared to most of the other more anecdotal channels.
Why do I feel like I just went to gas block college? I'm glad to see someone out there that does the work and shows why he says what he says rather than just giving off the cuff opinions. Good job Sir. Thanks.
I found your channel through this excellent scientific video and just had to see what more you had to offer. Shame it seems your channel never fully caught on and you've moved on to other things, but I hope you are proud of this gem of a channel you have published as an excellent resource for people like me way further into the future than one could reasonably expect from youtube content. I have almost 700 subscriptions and very few have i been compelled to make a similar comment, so thank you.
This was the absolute best video I have seen on the Superlative gas block. Now I know that it will work better than a standard gas block when running my 300 blk suppressed pistol build, AND that it will work even better when I build my first piston operated build. Thank you for this and GREAT job!
Really appreciate your thorough and scientific approach to this gas block and its effects on the gun. You and Paul Harrell are exemplary in this regard.
Great explanation, I just picked one of these up for my new build...8.5" 300BO w/can. I noticed your rate of fire was slightly faster with restricted gas setting, slight but perceivable.
Michael, you have the best and most informative videos I have seen. Thank you for the time you spent on making them. I have 3 Superlative Arms AGB's and love them and this video helped me understand how they work. Cheers!
Asked my gunsmith about an adjustable gas block for my AR 15. He said, so you are getting a Suppressor? I said, No. He said, Then you don’t need an adjustable gas block. Of course, If the ATF can no longer tax a suppressor………………
I have been following this series with much interest. Just received two of these gas blocks today and look forward to installing & start to play with them. Very interesting design. Thanks for all your in depth work on this.
@@MichaelBellmbell556, I'll be finding out! Just received it this week and my brother and I will build the gun next week. :D Can't wait to see it in action!
Fantastic video. Love all the info in it and all the test scenarios you performed. Right now I'm shooting a AR in 6ARC with a 24" barrel. I've been testing different powder/bullet combos and thought I had a new load I would be happy with. Now the twist, I've been running a restrictive gas block, I guess we'll see what happens when I switch to the superaltives bleed off gas block. The reason I bought one was I'm having another upper done in 6 ARC and the gunsmith chambering my barrel only uses superlative blocks. (We shoot PRS) 6 ARC is tricky to load for as to getting good velocity AND have temp stability. Last season I ran VV N150 with a velocity of just over 2600 fps. I've been testing other vihtavouri powders and have settled on N540 with a 108gr eld-m bullet that has a mv of 2676 fps. Let's see how much the bleed off system slows it downs. If it's too much I'll stay with restrictive.
Thank you, Mike! Your methodology is excellent. I (personally) would put your videos on a par with Paul Harrell's videos. A lot of watchers out there would say this is high praise indeed! You, sir have gained another subscriber in myself now that I have had a chance to watch some of your vids.
Thank you for this information. As someone who loads a large variety of calibers I could see the difference in velocity being extremely important for someone who wants to shoot PRS or ELR, as a difference of as much as 70 FPS could lead to an impact point changing several feet in one direction or the other when shooting long distances.
Mike, what a great review and channel, I'm glad I found it, and your data is VERY much appreciated. I had very similar results when I got mine adjusted and tuned in at the range. Mine also didn't hold open at five clicks, but did at 6 clicks, however the ejection pattern was in the 4-6 range indicating that it was undergassed, and I found that 14 clicks worked well for my upper in restrictive mode. I wasn't able to shoot as much in bleed-off mode due to a pesky thunderstorm, but will be back out to finish up soon. Seriously, thank you for the detailed review, I subscribed and will be checking out more of your content.
Mike you should be very happy about this work. I'm very impressed. You have helped out tens of thousands on understanding the rifle and the gas block. Sup has a great product. I think this gb will be very useful with a carbine length sbr or pistol both sup and non sup. My only gripe is my settings will be different at 20 degrees vs 90 degrees. I'll have to hold a few numbers in my head. Cheers.
Your video has helped me decide to get this gas block because of the bleed off feature. I'm running a 10.5 in barrel and want to mitigate the added pressure towards the rear of the rifle since the gas block is closer to the chamber. Thanks again.
A hidden gem of a review. I'm just now discovering this. This block is on my Spikes Roadhouse and I didn't know it. I will definitely tune my .308 down away from the 2'clock ejection. Man the recoil is violent. I have no desire to use the by pass. Thanks a lot!
Good objective and un-biased review. A shame about the little problems with some of the gear that were encountered on the day of filming. Consistency when doing tests is so important. Your comments about the 'erosion' claim were also spot-on i felt. Certainly some of those promotional claims could be considered overstatement, or a healthy does or artistic license ! Thanks for your time in putting the video together. Cheers, Dean.
Awesome informative video, I've had my gas block for a year. I didnt completely understand how to adjust it so it bleeds the most suppressed, I only had 27 turns on it and I wasnt happy but didnt know it could get better. I cant wait to start at 40 and adjust from there.
I got my first upper for my first ar15. It has a 16 in barrel with a carbine length gas system and 15 in mlok free floating handguard. From what I have been learning, I assume it will be overgassed. I think an adjustable gas block may help it. Could return the upper and get the exact one with a mid length gas system is my second option. Thank you for the EXCELLENT video!
A lot of people have thanked you but your videos have been so incredibly informative and helpful. I've learned a lot from you and am so happy I found these! thank you again!
I noticed the exhaust gas in the restricted was blowing in your and past your face, in the bleed-off it was almost going straight up out of the ejection port. Watch your video you'll see what I'm saying. Nice review. I just purchased one. Quite & cleaner.
I think this is because of less pressure entering the upper receiver. I did not notice the difference when I was shooting but reviewing the film does show this. Thanks.
I do love some good numbers. The tools involved probably cost as much as the gun itself, so thank you for doing this. If Green Mountain sold that finned barrel in a a wider variety... I'd have less money. You're the only demonstrator I've seen on youtube yet using that barrel, so bravo.
Got my sub. Absolutely love the the thorough testing & explanation. I think the only thing this video could use is chapters; but I see that this video was uploaded quite a long time ago. Great job, sir. 👍👍👍
A trick I've used in the past to cut bolt bounce with a light buffer is to just remove the buffer retaining pin. Allows the buffer to maintain constant pressure against the back of the BCG. Just makes field stripping a pain.
Phenomenally thorough work. Outstanding. I'm so glad sir I found this video as I was contemplating (now sure) this exact gas block for my suppressed build. Tip of the hat to you and dinner's on me if you ever get up my way. Bravo Zulu!
Well done, very educational! I am new to the "short and quiet" world. After my first quiet round I realized that the gas blowback was a new issue for me. When I opened it up for cleaning I discovered my second issue. :) It was obvious that excess gas and particulate was being dumped back into the action and into my face. There are cute "shields" for the charging handle and DIY "fixes" fixing the problem at the source is the obvious and correct answer. However, as a reloader, this adds another factor to the "recipe". Guess I'll have to do more research at the range!! :)
Reloading will give you even better control over the final performance. Doing this kind of research is a lot more fun than being inside a lab !! :o) Feel free to check out my channel and other videos. I am excited about a video I'll be doing in a couple of weeks on defensive ammunition. Research is key to making good decisions. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !
I love guns. I love science. I love analytics. You sir, have a new subscriber. Thanks for all of your work. Great job. And I am totally jealous that you have a rdias. Marriage has precluded that particular purchase for me hahahahaha.
Great job explaning how they work. Subbed! 100% not ever close to how I figured it worked. I had no idea that on bleed off, you basically have a direct hole from the gas port to the bleed off hole. 🤨 I figured the gas pressurized the system, THEN it bleed off.
When the video is slowed downed, it looks to me as if the barrel is a little more "bouncy" in the restricted mode than it is in the bleed off mode. That stands to reason. This video is the first one I've seen that has shown the effect bleeding off the gasses has on recoil. Thanks for the great video.
That is a reasonable conclusion. The bullet is heading out with an extra 60 ft lb or so of energy. This was a useful data point for me because it represents a couple extra inches of barrel.
Great video! Detail oriented and informative. I'm a simple man, I want .936 Adj GBs and reliable Piston conversion kits for AR-10 style projects. Not asking for an end to world hunger.
Thanks for this. Great info. I’m thinking about switching to an adjustable for my new build and you’ve greatly helped me think about how to approach testing it.
First video of yours I have found. Vital content with great presentation and data. Thank you so much! I think I'm sold on this gas block too. Just one thing, MY EARS @15:00
In bleed off gas goes three ways. towards the receiver, towards the bleed port, towards the muzzle. Bleed off only takes out a portion of the gas headed to the muzzle. It's not a complete subtraction of muzzle gas from the system. Only some fraction. As you said. But bleed off helps to cut some decibels from the muzzle.
Thanks for the in-depth video. I'm putting together a 10.5-11.5" SBR together and trying to figure out the best way to keep it reliable both suppressed and unsupressed. Seems like an adjustable gas block is the way to go rather than having to mess around with buffer weights.
One distinct advantage to the bleed-off design is that the excess gas is dumped out the front of the gas block and not in your face. Changing buffer weights will slow down the cyclic rate when you add a suppressor but all of that extra gas is still being dumped into the upper receiver. Either way will make it reliable but one is more pleasant. I just finished an upper build a few minutes ago that I will keep a suppressor on and I used this gas block.
Thanks for the reply. I am also thinking about using a Battle Arms Development VERT PDW stock, which has a shorter than normal buffer tube/spring. So it would also help to tune the SBR to that particular stock's needs.
Very good analysis. Logical and clear. I'm a subscriber! Thanks! This convinced me to get the Superlative Arms instead of the Seekins Adjustable Gas Block.
The only place the bleed off could potentially provide some benefit is if you’re going from suppressed to unsuppressed or from subs to supers. Even then I’m doubtful it would actually change the overall amount of gas getting to the bolt carrier. I think all you would see is a proportional increase in both gas going to the BCG and gas being vented. The key to remember here is that no matter what, there is a minimum amount of gas that HAS to get to the BCG for the gun to function. Nothing can change that. The real question is whether the bleed off disproportionally allows more gas to vent when you add a suppressor or switch to supers, while still only allowing the appropriate amount to go to the BCG. Based on the velocity numbers it’s not really clear, as you would need to test suppressed vs unsuppressed on the same settings. Or subs vs supers at the same settings to compare. Either way, no reason to even consider using the bleed off feature unless you are changing from suppressed to unsuppressed or subs/supers.
How do you not have more subscribers? You give a way more detailed breakdown of the stuff you cover than most popular channels AND have a full auto lower!
Well, tell your friends. I'm picking up subscribers steadily. I am new at this video thing but would be "playing" with my firearms anyway. This is just one of my retirement projects. Thanks!
I know this is a old video but it is a great knowledge very well done Sir, on the subject of the CAN I believe the reason for the dB level increased because the chambers in the CAN was already full if you will imagine, the rate of gas being put in was to much for the baffling to effectively reduce so some was ejected forward without being routed through the baffling.
Thanks for your research on this topic. every time I view this video I learn a new fact....I have watched it COUNTLESS times and am not finished yet. LOL... your videos are legit. ALL BLACK RIFLES MATTER
It is not bad. I go slow with the steps for educational purposes. But it is nice to be able to fine tune your rifle. Look at the 15:00 mark on this video and see how consistent the brass ejection is. This is a smooth running system....ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-cUAReGmOLAU.html
I had this gas block in mind for my ar10 308 pistol build after seeing this video and a couple other like it. While I just finally received my silencer, I had previously noticed with the SA in bleed off that it feels like there is much less gas directly in my face and eyes. I’d imagine that will be more pronounced with a suppressor mounted. I never used my SA gas block in restriction but compared to my stock lowpro gas block I can perceive less recoil and less gas directly in my face. Also my stock gas block was over gassed from the manufacturer and I always gas a nose full of gas and eyes watering after dumping a full mag.
I have 2 of these gas blocks and still haven't been able to tune it correctly. Lol. Hopefully I can use this video for reference next time I'm at the range to help me out. Thanks brother
@@MichaelBellmbell556 I come from a hard science background so it was extremely refreshing to see the qualities of a good experiment in your video. (to include a healthy dose of skepticism) Literally everything is laid out to allow repeatability by anyone who wanted to replicate your experiment
Nicely done. When you take great numbers like these, you should follow up with some basic CHI-SQUARE tests to figure out if the differences in velocity are "statistically" significant.
Hey there, any chance you will come back to making videos? I thoroughly enjoy your presentations and often refer back to them due to how thorough and comprehensive they are.
Thanks for watching. I like discovering new things. It all makes sense if you think about it. Please feel free to browse around my channel if you get a chance.
seems like the cycle rate is faster with the restrictive settings vs the bleeding off settings. That may be because of the heavier buffer change but it is interesting.
Great video with a ton of info. It may just be me but it seems like the cycle rate was faster with the restrictive mode than the bleed off mode when doing the side by side at 24:05
