3 position gas plug vs the newer V-plug?

[1Andy2 5]

Mr. Davidson was kind enough to send me a FREE 3 position plug ages back. Thanks again! I haven't gotten around to using it, but my saiga screws up juuust enough that I'm thinking about giving it a try.

 

Right now, with the factory gas plug, I'm getting 1 or 2 FTEs per 20 round series with the cheapie 1 oz Federal bulk stuff.

 

I guess my question is this: With the three position plug, am I guaranteed of at least one position with no gas restriction? Ditto for the v-plug. Or is that impossible to answer due to the random start of gas port thread on every individual saiga-12?

[MikeD 541]

Mr. Davidson was kind enough to send me a FREE 3 position plug ages back. Thanks again! I haven't gotten around to using it, but my saiga screws up juuust enough that I'm thinking about giving it a try.

 

Right now, with the factory gas plug, I'm getting 1 or 2 FTEs per 20 round series with the cheapie 1 oz Federal bulk stuff.

 

I guess my question is this: With the three position plug, am I guaranteed of at least one position with no gas restriction? Ditto for the v-plug. Or is that impossible to answer due to the random start of gas port thread on every individual saiga-12?

Andy, That is actually a 4 position plug, not 3. It is the Gunfixer plug. The 1 setting actually is 2 settings: +1 and 1-. The Gunfixer and the V-Plug are the only two plugs available that increase the cycling power with low power ammo. But with both plugs the increase is very small. Some people can eject rounds that they couldn't before once installing either plug and it isn't going to hurt you any thats for sure. But in my opinion even those that report such likely still have a very borderline gun even with the new plug. I am guessing the only thing it would take to have problems again is dropping the gun to the hip or holding it loosly. As far as the Gunfixer or the V-plug restricting gas... That is only on the other settings. Both have a wide open setting. Actually it is well over wide open. The opening in the plug is much bigger than the combined opening of the ports in the barrel. I have heard of some opening up the ports in their plug but trust me... Opening the port in the plug doesn't do a damn thing. Only so much gas can come through the ports in the barrel and a bigger port in the plug is irrelevant. The gunfixer and V-Plug get there main increase is cycling lowbrass due to the decrease in the gas chamber volume when installed. They take up more room in the gas chamber therefor requiring less gas to pressurize the chamber so it happens faster.

 

You should polish up some contact surfaces in your gun. This will reduce friction big time. Also sometimes the extractor spring is a little stiff as well as the recoil springs. But there is no easy way to tell you how to check if they are too strong.

 

If your gun was running good you should be able to use the 1oz lowbrass rounds. But you really should get the 1 1/8oz rounds. Federal first, Remington second, and Winchester last... With the lighter 1 oz round the projectile is moving faster under the charge. This means it will leave the barrel quicker and shorten the time you gas chamber has to pressurize. The heavier 1 1/8 oz shot takes just a touch longer to get pushed out the barrel thus increasing the time your gas chamber has to pressurize. If your only getting 1 to 2 FTEs per 20rd with the 1oz shot your gun can't be too far off from cycling them 100%.

 

Big thing is if you put your gun away after firing it with out cleaning it... Even if it isn't full of fouling the plastic shaving will cool and set and it can take a few rounds to get the piston moving freely again. This is with lowpower ammo... You don't have to clean it everytime you use it but if you start with a cold gun you should remove the plug and break the piston free to prevent the early ftes.

 

Hope this helps!

[1Andy2 5]

Wow, thanks for the detailed response.

 

Yeah, I'm lousy about cleaning it. And the last time I shot it, I had no gun lube... but I had a little bit of 30wt motor oil in my car...

 

Guess it wouldn't hurt to buy a couple of spare extractor springs and try running a slightly shortened one, would it? Like a single coil or half a coil removed, say?

 

I'll try the gunfixer plug with some 1 1/8 oz loads, first.

 

On the gunfixer plug, which setting is most open? 1- or +1? Also... it's hard to tell from feel, but it feels like both those stops are right close together. Is that the case? Love not having to press the button down, btw!

 

Eh, and just taking the old gas plug out just now, I think I identified a part of the problem... big chunks of carbon were in the gas vent well.

[scottacus1100 5]

I just ordered my v-plug today, I cant wait till it gets here