What can wear out and lead to firing failures in a gas-operated firearm?

In a gas-operated firearm, gas rings play a crucial role in the functioning of the action. Gas rings seal the gas system, allowing gases from the fired cartridge to cycle back and operate the action successfully. Over time and with repeated use, these gas rings can wear out, resulting in a compromised seal. This wear can lead to gas leakage, which means insufficient pressure is generated to cycle the action properly. If the action does not cycle, it can cause various firing failures such as failure to eject or failure to feed.

The significance of the gas rings in maintaining the proper functioning of the gas system is what makes them a critical component at risk of wearing out and affecting the firearm's reliability. Their degradation directly impacts the firearm's ability to operate as intended, hence leading to potential failures during firing.