Im on my second set of gas rings on my 12.5" SBR AR. Its a Daniel Defense bolt and upper with less than 4k rounds. I had a broken ring a few years ago and another this past week.

She has been fed nothing but factory ammo.

Is there a bigger issue I should be looking into or are they just tiny little parts that randomly break?

Years apart and sounds like a number of rounds I wouldn't get too excited. Its a $5 part. And realistically hard to tell the quality of who you got them from. But if it concerns you...you could go upmarket and get a better set vie JPE for $10. and see how it goes. I don't break them often but it doesn't seem to relate to anything obvious.

Anecdotal...but my DD rifle was the only DI gun that broke gas rings pretty regularly.

Never missed a beat thou.

I had a bcg eat gas rings. It was one of PSA's premium ones. They replaced it under warranty and no problems since.

I have two sets of BCM rings on the way. Guess I will just have to have a spare set on hand. The rifle never failed so I will have to pay attention during cleanings

I find the 1-piece rings last longer than three 1-piece rings. IMO wearing out rings is part of shooting an AR15.

Expect to go through a few firing pin retaining pins, too. I replace them when they get bent, and thus no longer easily go into the carrier.

Gas rings are cheap...have spares on site...don’t worry...some rifles eat them like M&Ms....some will go thousands of rounds without Harry a hiccup.

I have extractor springs, the silicone doo-dad under them, rings and an extra retaining pin....that’s all I keep on hand for emergencies...it’s worked over twenty years for me.

Curious, is the bolt nitrided? I've heard from some solid authority that the hardness of the bolt can effect / eat the rings.