Piston driven AR-15s have used bolt carrier with integral gas keys for years. Now, Voodoo Innovations, a sister company of Adams Arms, is bringing carriers with integral gas keys to direct impingement AR-15s. Loose gas keys may soon be a thing of the past.
Voodoo Innovations states that these bolt carrier groups are built to the MIL TDP (except, obviously, for the gas key specs) and then given their LifeCoat treatment. LifeCoat is a trade name that Voodoo Innovations uses for a variety of different coatings and treatments depending on the application. In this case, they are claiming that the coating will add durability, lubricity, corrosion resistance, and carbon resistance to the bolt carrier group.
The new Integral Bolt Groups are available in both a standard and low mass version.
Because loose gas keys have been such a real problem in the real world….
You’re right! No one should try anything new. There certainly isn’t any room for innovation in the AR-15.
You’ve never seen a loose gas key cause a problem? I guess I find that surprising with your experience. I have seen it multiple times across multiple brands. Sure, once they are tightened and properly staked, it shouldn’t be an issue but how is removing the potential failure point a bad thing?
Fewer parts = less failure points = almost always better.
Offer it in some sort of NP3 or Melonite type coating and I’m all in.
Their Lifecoat is similar to a melonite finish.