I know that piston guns have adjustable gas blocks built in and stand alone gas blocks also exist. Is there any benefit to adding a stand alone block other than controlling the carrier speed in and out of battery? Why worry about carrier speed if a semi-auto is controlled by the maximum rate of pulling the trigger? I also would think it would be difficult to adjust the valve through the handguard. Thanks to all who may respond.
Many use an adjustable gas block to turn the gas down for suppressor use. Another reason is to tune the gas to the load being used, use just enough gas to cycle and you'll have a softer shooting rifle, less impact both at the end of the buffer stroke and when the bolt goes back into battery. Many have the adjustments up front, those that don't are not meant to be under the handguard but just in front. Carbine gas systems are usually over-gassed causing more wear on the rifle so an adjustable block will tame them down and help with extraction by causing just a bit more delay in unlocking the bolt.
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