415 Chewing Up Brass And Some Carrier Tilt

Let me start off by saying that apparently the problems I had with my 415 the first time out of the gate was an isolated incident, and it's been running great since. Thanks for everyone's input in and help in that thread.
This isn't so much a problem, as it is just weird, but my 415 eats the hell out of some brass. Flakes and chunks of brass coat the bolt face, the firing pin channel in the bolt, some in the chamber, the bolt carrier....you name it.
It's not causing any problems, as of yet, but an incredible amount of brass shavings build up in it....just a little weird.
Here's some pics. They kinda suck, but I'm not a photographer....you still get the idea. And it's just the 415 (556) the 308 doesn't do it. Again....weird.
The bolt

A little bit better pic of the bolt

Here's a pic of what came off when I wiped down the cam



And now about the carrier tilt. I really think it's just a given with piston driven AR's. I know there are things to do to mitigate the severity of it, springs and buffers, etc...but I think it's just one of the joys of owning a piston AR. These are the 2nd and 3rd (respectively) piston guns I've owned, and they all suffer from it to some degree. AR's weren't designed to be piston driven guns....they were designed to be direct gas impingement guns, with the force being applied to the center line of the bolt carrier...the bolt. With force being applied to the top of the bolt carrier, it's going to cause the rear to tilt down....it's just the dynamics of it. Having said that, I love them and really do prefer the piston operated guns to direct impingement guns....hence owning the POF's..
I'm not terribly worried about the receiver extension tube (cheap fix), but more about the upper receiver (not so cheap of a fix). If the carrier is tilting down in the rear and gouging the buffer tube, it's tilting up in the front and battering the upper....just saying. It is what it is. And again, I don't notice it so much in the 308, just the 556.
And of course the gratuitous pics...
Rear of bolt carrier, showing the polishing of the bottom


Buffer tube

And the upper, also shows the brass shavings in there

What mags are you using? The angle of the bullet entering the chamber can drag the case on the lugs shaving brass off. Point the weapon in a safe direction, insert a mag, and observe the ramp and chamber as you slowly ride the bolt carrier forward stripping a bullet off the mag.

Cool....thanks swat dude.
Every time I think I have a pretty good understanding of these things, someone comes along and shows me something new.
Incidentally, I'm using pmags. I've never experienced anything remotely similar with any other AR
Thanks again.

So did the bullet hang on the lugs? Or just shave a bit of brass off going into the chamber?

Actually...neither. I think the bolt lugs are shaving brass off of the next round, down, in the magazine....I think. I couldn't see any issues with the round being chambered, but the next round in the magazine has some scratches on it, and some brass shavings are on my pants.
But you know what DID happen? THE FREAKIN BOLT WON'T FULLY SEAT AGAIN. I ran a full mag through it (loaded a full mag, kept the weapon on safe, kept my finger straight and off of the trigger and kept charging the weapon over & over....pulling the charging handle to the rear and releasing it), and it's doing the same thing it did the first time. God...I just don't know man. If it's not one fucking thing with this gun, it's another. I know there's a "break-in period" with new guns, but this isn't a custom 1911 with hand lapped frame to slide fit. It's a freakin AR....the weapon for the masses. It should work correctly right out of the box. And on top of that, I've put 800 or so rounds through it....It should fucking BE broken in.
I guess it's time to play POF customer service Russian roulette.
Shit

I had a similar issue with my POF-415. One of many issues I've had with the rifle.

Brass shavings all over the rifle, poor accuracy, and FTE's due to case rims being ripped off. Bolt never got stuck, but brass came out looking like this:







I sent the upper into POF and they ended up polishing the chamber, and replacing the bolt as a fix.

Good luck in getting your rifle sorted out.

Motor05

Have you given us a call yet?

I haven't...and I do apologize. For work, I train Marines, and we've had a class in session while this has been going on, and it's very hard to find time during normal working hours to get away and call.
We have a break tomorrow afternoon, at the range, between day fire and night fire and I'm hoping to call then. Speaking of, the only number I could find on your website was the 9572 number for phone orders. Should I just call that number and ask for customer service?

Thanks for dropping in on this thread IL2S, goes a long way.

OP, your bolt is unlocking too early. I'm guessing you have a carbine gas system vs a mid-length or rifle length system. Carbine systems are notorious for early unlock which is why they developed heavy buffers. This explains the problem in more depth: carbine vs mid-length. I would suggest putting an H2 or H3 recoil buffer in your gun. That should end the torn brass problem. If you want to end the carrier tilt, order an anti tilt buffer from this guy: OTSS - Anti Tilt Buffer It's no BS - works as advertised, I can personally attest to it in my POF.

IL2S, I called Friday and spoke to Chris. He said to send the upper in and they (you guys) would straighten it out. I also mentioned that neither rifle came with the ambi mag release, and he said that he would send a couple when they ship the upper back.
Super nice guy and was very helpful.
So, I sent the upper out Friday. Thanks again for your help...much appreciated.

Incidentally, I put another couple hundred, or so, rounds through the 308 this weekend, and I can't say enough good stuff about that gun. It is one of the most accurate rifles I've ever shot....period. You can keep your bolt gun, single shot, "match grade" rifles, bench-rest guns, etc....this thing rocks. I freakin love it!! Definitely my favorite gun these days.

Mrs_E, Thanks for those links and suggestions. Good reading, and that anti-tilt buffer is definitely on my "to get" list.

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