[Ruger52]

Guys & gals, I have shot the M16/ar platform since 1972. While in the military, I just shot them, cleaned them, and shot some more. So it has been a few years since I have been around the AR platform. So could someone explain staking. I have an idea what it is but I am just not sure.

I own a DPMS AP4, currently. Don't want to hear negs. about it. It works fine for what I am using it for.

Thinking of doing a build, if I can find a decent lower, with out breaking the bank, in light of November 6th. So it sound like good staking is important, if I knew what it meant.

[mountainman13]

Pull out your bolt and look at the screws holding the gas key on. See the dents that pin those screws in place? That's staking. If those screws weren't properly staked they would come loose and your AR would not properly cycle.

[Jpyle]

The triangular indents on the gas key screws are typically what is referred to as staking on an AR. The base plate on a collapsible stock may also be staked to the buffer extension tube.

[Ruger52]

Thanks so much for the explanation. Makes total sense. In the carpentry business we call it peining. Done to scews or fasteners that you don't want coming loose.

[mountainman13]

Yep exact same thing.

[JonM]

the reason its very important is that torqued only if they vibrate just a little loose the whole key can shear off under heavy use from the itty bitty bit of wiggle.

some companies locktite the key. if thats done and the gun is run hard the heat kills the loctite further vibration can loosen the bolts and your at square one.

staking just nips that bs right in the bud eliminating one source of fail under hard use.

if the gun is just plinking at the range it really doesnt matter. the heating up and cooling down causes metal expansion and the loosening of screws. just plinking the gun never gets that hot so unstaked key on a typical range only ar15 it really doesnt matter.

[tacticalfun]

Here's a mil spec noveske with a top notch(ha ha) stake job.

[Ruger52]

Of course I pulled my BCG out and sure enough it is staked. Thanks again.

[Ruger52]

Well I got to bump this, not because I have a big head, but maybe a fat head though.

I am gonna install a new end plate with a sling ring. I'll be ding dog daggety, if the castle nut isn't staked. Can I get it off without messing up the threads on the tube?

[Sniper03]

Ruger,

JP and Fun have shown you good examples of staking. The staking is performed on the very top edge of the carrier key next to the screws. If you do not have a staking tool you can use a 3/32 flat nosed punch like a Sterret 3/32 punch. But what ever you do stay off of the lower ledge because it is a glide surface in the upper receiver. Should you get a slight burr on that surface when staking take a stone or a fine file and clean off the burr. Do not use loctite on the Carrier Key or Screws. The military uses a red looking sealer that some have mistaken for loctite under the carrier key but it is not. The sealer in reality is not necessary only a military specification on some rifle contracts. There is also an easier way of staking also. That is take a small center punch and stake the metal of the carrier key in a triangular patter on the edge of the carrier key next to the screw which will flow the metal of the key into the vertical serrations on the side of the screw therefor locking the screw in place. I hope the example comes through?
This is an easy way of staking with little chance of hitting the glide surface when not using a staking tool.
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