I was looking at Young MFG and was wondering why they don't Stake their keys. I am new to all of this so I am wondering from the experts on here if it's "important" to have them staked or not? Thanks guys.

Here is what Young states about not staking thier keys:

There has been a lot of talk about the pros and cons of staking the gas key on the carrier. Here is our opinion and why Young Manufacturing will not stake keys. We have been making carriers since 1991. The US Mil Spec. assembly drawing requires the carrier key to be staked. Contrary to some popular opinions staking does not “SEAL” the gas key. Staking keeps the screws from backing out Period. If you do not properly torque the screws to 56 inch pounds you will be staking a screw that is loose or one that is over torqued and prone to breakage. We have seen plenty of staked screws that are loose or broken. The Mil Spec. also calls for the gas key bottom surface to be “SEALED” with Permatex gasket sealer. Something no one does to our knowledge. Here is our procedure for installing a gas key. First clean the oil from the gas key and the mating surface on the carrier. Then clean the oil from the screw threads. We use break cleaner for this. Next use a very light coating of Permatex high strength thread locker gel on the bottom of the key. PN 27010. This is much easier to use than the Permatex gasket sealer. It comes in a plastic twist dispenser. Make sure you don’t use so much that it squishes into the gas port hole. The cure rate is 60 minutes. Next coat the screw threads with the same gel. Install the key and torque the screws to 56 inch pounds. Should you decide to remove the key for some reason don’t use the old screws when you put the key back on! You will most likely break them during installation or when you fire the rifle. Go to the local hardware store and buy new 10-32 x ¼” SHCS. If you feel the need to stake the screws spend the money and get one of the staking tools from Brownell that uses a screw type system to swedge the material into the top of the screw. Don’t use a hammer and a punch! You can stretch the thread on the screw and now you have a loose screw that will eventually break if the gun even fires. We will not warrantee a carrier with a staked key no matter who staked it. You will be charged for a new key and any labor required to remove broken screws.

What amazes me about "Youngs" article on why they don't stake their keys is the fact that he could have staked 20 rilfes' bolts in the time it took to type that article!

Another thing, he spends the time to tell why it needs to be staked, then says they don't do it. WTF? THEN, he goes on to say "well, if you want to stake it, go buy the tools from Brownell's and stake it yourself"...again, WTF?

Don't you think uncle sam spent the time testing it in the beginning enough to know they needed to be staked. Sure, they may never back out...however, don't you think some do? Like IP says, if it happens, you now have an "X" dollar paperweight. So why wouldn't anyone go with a known, combat proven solution and peace of mind by buying what's staked.

Just my .02, nothing here to see...move along.

I go by what the Military TM sez Period.......There are 3 ways to stake them : Original / Field / Revised, Torque 35 - 40 inch pounds and use new screws each time.

They're stating 56 inch pounds ? Wonder why ??? I could see the benefits of Permatex but the Mil-Spec's last I heard doesn't call for it.....Just say'in