ar-15 extractor spring o-ring question

[Barang]

is this another gimmick?
what does it do?
doesn't that defeat the purpose of a spring (compress and contract) if installed?

[FeuerFrei]

The "O" ring puts more pressure on the extractor to brute force the case removal when the lip snaps over the case rim. Over gassed DI AR clones etc..

It's a band aid to keep extraction reliable. Not necessary on a properly gassed AR clone using NATO powered ammo. I pull them of all my DI AR clones as part of my tweaking/tuning.

[Barang]

The "O" ring puts more pressure on the extractor to brute force the case removal when the lip snaps over the case rim. Over gassed DI AR clones etc..

It's a band aid to keep extraction reliable. Not necessary on a properly gassed AR clone using NATO powered ammo. I pull them of all my DI AR clones as part of my tweaking/tuning.

ok thanks. that make sense which bring me to a new question that just hit me after reading your response.
so before the introduction of "o" ring, the rubber insert in the extractor spring is acting similar to the "o" ring then? pardon my ignorance.

[FeuerFrei]

ok thanks. that make sense which bring me to a new question that just hit me after reading your response.
so before the introduction of "o" ring, the rubber insert in the extractor spring is acting similar to the "o" ring then? pardon my ignorance.

Yes,

The "O" ring came about in response to the shorter barreled M4/CAR15 etc. The gas systems were causing extraction problems. BCG moving at light speed needed enhanced extraction and heavy buffers/springs to keep things reliable.

[Barang]

got it! thanks for the info.

[ar15barrels]

is this another gimmick?
what does it do?
doesn't that defeat the purpose of a spring (compress and contract) if installed?

An o-ring added around the extractor spring on an AR bolt INCREASES the force that is required for the extractor to open from the bolt face.

This is a PATCH for an extremely over-gassed AR which has the extractor jumping the case rim because the carrier is unlocking too fast.

The O-ring is typically only needed on pistol or carbine gassed barrels with 4" or more of barrel beyond the gas port.

Use of an O-ring can cause ejection problems on midlength and rifle gassed barrels.
This happens because there is SO MUCH extractor tension that the ejector spring can not over-ride the extractor at the slower operating speeds of the milder operating systems.

More on AR gas system function here:

https://www.ar15barrels.com/prod/operation.shtml

[ar15barrels]

ok thanks. that make sense which bring me to a new question that just hit me after reading your response.
so before the introduction of "o" ring, the rubber insert in the extractor spring is acting similar to the "o" ring then? pardon my ignorance.

The rubber insert inside the spring is the snubber.
It increases the tension at the END of the extractor travel.
The rubber insert does not increase the tension at the BEGINNING of the extractor travel like an O ring does.

There are two different snubbers, blue and black.
Blue is softer and is correct for rifle and midlength gas systems on 223/5.56 barrels.
Black is harder and is correct for carbine and pistol gas systems on 223/5.56 barrels.

[Barang]

...

The O-ring is typically only needed on pistol or carbine gassed barrels with 4" or more of barrel beyond the gas port.

Use of an O-ring can cause ejection problems on midlength and rifle gassed barrels.
This happens because there is SO MUCH extractor tension that the ejector spring can not over-ride the extractor at the slower operating speeds of the milder operating systems.

More on AR gas system function here:
www.ar15barrels.com/prod/operation.shtml

....

There are two different snubbers, blue and black.
Blue is softer and is correct for rifle and midlength gas systems on 223/5.56 barrels.
Black is harder and is correct for carbine and pistol gas systems on 223/5.56 barrels.

thanks for expanding it with additional details. i have mid-length & rifle gas system so it's good to know not to install "o" ring.