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How to Make a Gas-Buster Handle

The AR15 semiautomatic rifle is the civilian version of the M16 used by the U.S. military. An AR15 rifle has a small gap between the charging handle and receiver, where excess gas and lube often discharge from the weapon and toward the shooter. Aftermarket "Gas Buster" charging handles can be purchased that fix this discharge. If you want to convert your existing charging handle to a gas buster and save yourself some money, however, this can be done at home with some silicone gasket maker.

Things You'll Need

Clean rags
Acetone
High Temperature RTV Silicone Gasket Maker
Plastic knife
Sharp knife

Instructions

- 1
  Look down at the charging handle on your AR15, where it meets the upper receiver. Locate the small gap between the charging handle and upper receiver, shaped in a half circle. This is the area you will be filling in to make your gas buster handle.
- 2
  Clean the charging handle and the crescent-shaped gap with a clean rag and acetone. Wipe with a dry rag after.
- 3
  Squirt some silicone onto the gap between the charging handle and upper receiver. Smooth out the silicone and clean off any extra with a plastic knife. Let the gun sit overnight for the silicone to dry.
- 4
  Slide a sharp knife between the silicone and the receiver, loosening and separating the two. Do not touch the portion of the silicone that is stuck to the charging handle.
- 5
  Pull back on the charging handle and check that the silicone is not sticking to the receiver. If it is, loosen the silicone from the receiver more with the knife.

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