For those running open gas ports, I'd be curious to know how much velocity is gained by sealing the hole. Is it negligible? Is it 10 fps, or is it 100 fps? Interesting stuff.
My first attempt at a bolt-action AR was a decade ago with a heavy barrel .17 Remington. I used a pipe clamp and a scrap of leather, thinking it might contain the gas. Not a chance. The leather had a clean hole through it after the first shot. Don't underestimate the pressure at 7 (carbine length gas), 9 (mid length gas), or even 12 (rifle length gas) inches.
My first attempt at a bolt-action AR was a decade ago with a heavy barrel .17 Remington. I used a pipe clamp and a scrap of leather, thinking it might contain the gas. Not a chance. The leather had a clean hole through it after the first shot. Don't underestimate the pressure at 7 (carbine length gas), 9 (mid length gas), or even 12 (rifle length gas) inches.