Gas System Illuminator
The Gas System Illuminator or GSI, is designed to provide extra light using a borescope to inspect the gas system of your AR style firearm. By providing light to the inside of the gas tube, checking gas port to gas block alignment is much easier. Although visual inspection of the gas port to gas block alignment is the only way to ensure proper alignment, this can be hard to do with some borescopes. The problem is projecting enough light from the borescope to illuminate deep into the gas system, especially on a dirty gun. As the firearm is used carbon will begin to collect in the gas system making it hard to check for proper alignment.
How it works
The fiber optic cable is inserted into the gas tube in the upper receiver. It's then slid all the way in so it can be viewed by the borescope in the barrel below. By viewing the optical cable through the gas port in the barrel, alignment of the gas block can easily be confirmed.
How it can help diagnose problems
Proper Alignment of the gas block opening to the gas port on the barrel is critical on the gas operated AR platform. If the two ports are not aligned correctly there can be a decrease in gas volume to cycle the action. This can very easily cause a gas operated gun to "short stroke" and induce a stoppage, possibly with deadly results. The only way to insure proper alignment is by visual inspection with a borescope. This photo shows a slight misalignment of the gas block by the dark crescent on the left of the gas port. This slight misalignment can reduce gas flow enough to short stroke the gun.
A product demo from School Of The American Rifle.
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GSI
The GSI consists of a light emitter assembly, a dimmer switch, a transformer, and two optical cables. The optical cables are different diameters. One cable is .080", the other is .060". Both optical cables are 20" in length to provide more than enough depth for even rifle length gas systems.
GSI USB
This is the USB powered version of our Gas System Illuminator. It contains a USB powered light emitter assembly, and two optical cables. The optical cables are different diameters. One cable is .080", the other is .060". Both optical cables are 20" in length to provide more than enough depth for even rifle length gas systems. This version does not include a power source. Simply plug it into a standard USB power source such as a computer or most cell phone chargers.
Some examples of the GSI in use.
Put light where you need it.
The GSI can be used for a lot more than just gas port inspections too. It can be very useful for detailed inspections of the barrel extension and chamber area. It can be inserted from the muzzle, or breach end and used as a bore light. You can use it to pinpoint where you want extra light, without struggling to look around the light source. The small size of the GSI makes it easy to get light almost any place you need it for cleaning and inspecting most parts, even around corners.
Assembling the GSI
Assembling and using the GSI is quick and easy. You simply insert the optical cable into the end of the light emitter and tighten the retaining screw just enough to keep it from falling out. The GSI comes with two different diameter optical cables. One cable is .080", and the other is .060". Either size cable can be used to inspect your gas tube, but the .080"cable also acts as a "go" gauge to check the inner diameter of the gas tube. The .080" cable should easily insert into the gas tube. If the .080" cable doesn't fit into the gas tube it may be undersized or carbon fouled. If this is the case, try using the smaller .060" cable. If the .060" cable wont fit the gas tube should probably be replaced. NEVER FORCE EITHER SIZE CABLE INTO THE GAS TUBE IF YOU FEEL RESISTANCE.
Trimming the optical cable for special use.
The fiber optic cable can be trimmed to direct light in different directions. Here are some examples of how the end of the cable can be trimmed, and the different effects the cuts will have on light projection. When trimming the end of the cable use a razor knife or something similar for a clean cut. It may be useful to leave one end cut at a 90 degree angle, and the other end cut to a custom angle. This way the cable can easily be reversed in the light emitter for different uses.
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