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If you know what needed fitting and you feel confidant about it, go for it. I have to make different parts fit all the time. The market is flooded with AR parts and sometimes they are a little out of spec.
The only thing I would leave alone would be the trigger group. Fo safetys sake. |
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It really depends on if you have enough beer to complete the job correctly or if you ran out mid operation...
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callmenoshie: "saying that females have the potential to be "bat shit crazy" is like saying the sky has the potential to be blue."
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How many beers did you really have?
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Originally Posted By slappomatt:
It really depends on if you have enough beer to complete the job correctly or if you ran out mid operation... ![]() There was enough for a correct job. I used a small file to round off the edges and clean everything up. Had it been a part that was much more expensive than a buffer tube, I probably would not have done it. I figured that if I messed it up, I would just get another one and hope it was better. |
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Are you sure you didn't thread it on too far? Can you post some pics?
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"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
"Fast cars drag race, fast drivers road race." http://www.referenceonly.com/ |
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Originally Posted By commandowink:
How many beers did you really have? 3 |
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Good fix.
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The 2nd Amendment is not about rights. It is about CAPABILITY. It is about ensuring the capability to respond to violence, and oppression. Not with 1 round, or 10, but with the full force of indignant violence deserved at a breach of our peace.
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Originally Posted By Monkey_Wrench:
Are you sure you didn't thread it on too far? Can you post some pics? With the way that the retainer pin seats into the tube, I didn't think that "in too far" was a possiblity. . . Am I wrong? |
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Sounds like a good fix.
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"They're telling us they'd rather die than come out and surrender....so.. They're gonna die..."
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Originally Posted By sdailey5: Originally Posted By Monkey_Wrench: Are you sure you didn't thread it on too far? Can you post some pics? With the way that the retainer pin seats into the tube, I didn't think that "in too far" was a possiblity. . . Am I wrong? Yes. I'll say you went a bit too far. Notching the bottom for the detent is not necessary, the tube only screws in enough to retain it on the edge. Had you not cut that, the tube would not have extended past the receiver and the lower would have closed normally. Thankfully, it's only a buffer tube you molested. |
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"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
"Fast cars drag race, fast drivers road race." http://www.referenceonly.com/ |
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I would try spray painting that "nude" edge so it doesn't rust or hat not.
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Quick: Post this in the staking the castle nut post. We brought up staking, loctite, and double nut. I think you just reduced weight of a double castle nut, avoided possiblity of having to heat the nut due to the wrong color loctite, and the possiblity of missing the prick punch and hitting your thumb.
Actually, I think that is a pretty neat fix and great thinking out of the box! RobF |
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rule number one
always "adjust" the cheapest part I once had a guy come into my bike shop with a frame. He could not figure out how to remove the chain, so he hacksawed through the frame ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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"Once again, PolitenessMan's stainless steel hankie meets its mark"
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Hate to say it but it looks like your lower is out of spec. The buffer retainer detent was drilled to close to the fcg pocket. You can tell that by the way the buffer is sticking into the action by an 1/8th inch or so.
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Well, I feel a little better now. I had actually planned on buying a new, hopefully better tube, but then I decided I would circumcise this one first––if only just for spite. But I think it actually ended up working. I still need to hide the shine though. Wouldn't want to get caught flashing in the sun during a tactical field strip.
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Originally Posted By jjwheeler2:
Hate to say it but it looks like your lower is out of spec. The buffer retainer detent was drilled to close to the fcg pocket. You can tell that by the way the buffer is sticking into the action by an 1/8th inch or so. Now I feel worse. . . I figured my spikes lower would've been within spec
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What lower is that?Nevermind saw that it was Spike's. I can't recall ever seeing a lower where the buffer retainer area was smooth like that. Plus, a tight castle nut should negate any wobble. Where is your takedown pin? I highly suspect there is something wrong with your lower.
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Originally Posted By Monkey_Wrench:
Originally Posted By sdailey5:
Originally Posted By Monkey_Wrench:
Are you sure you didn't thread it on too far? Can you post some pics? With the way that the retainer pin seats into the tube, I didn't think that "in too far" was a possiblity. . . Am I wrong? Yes. I'll say you went a bit too far. Notching the bottom for the detent is not necessary, the tube only screws in enough to retain it on the edge. Had you not cut that, the tube would not have extended past the receiver and the lower would have closed normally. Thankfully, it's only a buffer tube you molested. Iv seen other tubes with the notch too, I think its a comm. tube The tube is actually longer on the bottom edge too, then notched. |
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Originally Posted By mybronco2:
Originally Posted By Monkey_Wrench:
Originally Posted By sdailey5:
Originally Posted By Monkey_Wrench:
Are you sure you didn't thread it on too far? Can you post some pics? With the way that the retainer pin seats into the tube, I didn't think that "in too far" was a possiblity. . . Am I wrong? Yes. I'll say you went a bit too far. Notching the bottom for the detent is not necessary, the tube only screws in enough to retain it on the edge. Had you not cut that, the tube would not have extended past the receiver and the lower would have closed normally. Thankfully, it's only a buffer tube you molested. Iv seen other tubes with the notch too, I think its a comm. tube The tube is actually longer on the bottom edge too, then notched. I have 1 rifle that has a comm buffer tube and it is not longer or notched! |
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Originally Posted By mybronco2:
Originally Posted By Monkey_Wrench:
Originally Posted By sdailey5:
Originally Posted By Monkey_Wrench:
Are you sure you didn't thread it on too far? Can you post some pics? With the way that the retainer pin seats into the tube, I didn't think that "in too far" was a possiblity. . . Am I wrong? Yes. I'll say you went a bit too far. Notching the bottom for the detent is not necessary, the tube only screws in enough to retain it on the edge. Had you not cut that, the tube would not have extended past the receiver and the lower would have closed normally. Thankfully, it's only a buffer tube you molested. Yes, commercial tube. It came notched like that. And my takedown pin is right where it's supposed to be I would think. It lines up perfect with the upper receiver. Iv seen other tubes with the notch too, I think its a comm. tube The tube is actually longer on the bottom edge too, then notched. |
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Originally Posted By DrPain762:
I would try spray painting that "nude" edge so it doesn't rust or hat not. I wouldn't worry about rust since its aluminum, plus that blingin' edge makes a nice frame for the spikes logo on the buffer. |
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Holy FUCK that is SO WRONG AND SCREWED UP!
Naturally this is a SPIKES TACTICAL.
This is seriously so beyond fucked up unacceptable I'm sitting here wanting to Slap somebody. |
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"We the Willing, Led by the Unknowing, Do what is Necessary, For the Ungrateful" - Unknown
"I'm very well acquainted with the seven deadly sins I keep a busy schedule trying to fit them in" - Warren Zevon |
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Originally Posted By rgrprib:
You may want to try a PWS Enhanced Buffer Tube next time. http://primaryweapons.com/store/pc/catalog/PWS_EBTs_L_1.jpg These things are great! Prib This is exactly what will end up replacing the mess I made. I've been eyeing them for awhile now. |
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Originally Posted By BeerBender:
Holy FUCK that is SO WRONG AND SCREWED UP!
Naturally this is a SPIKES TACTICAL.
This is seriously so beyond fucked up unacceptable I'm sitting here wanting to Slap somebody. Care to elaborate? I don't kow what you mean. . . The chop job or the lower? If the lower, what's wrong with it? This is my first one so I don't really have past experience to draw on here. |
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your receiver extension looks like it would have fit perfectly. the wobble you described is fairly normal until you tighten down the castle nut properly, you are using a castle nut wrench, correct?
all you've really done is used the buffer retaining pin to keep the receiver extension from moving. since you didn't fix the source of the problem, too much play in the receiver extension/endplate or not enough torque on the castle nut, eventually the soft bare aluminum is going to be wallowed out by the steel pin and you'll be back to square one. |
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And I looked, and behold a pale horse and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell[bound] followed with him.
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Originally Posted By hellbound:
your receiver extension looks like it would have fit perfectly. the wobble you described is fairly normal until you tighten down the castle nut properly, you are using a castle nut wrench, correct? all you've really done is used the buffer retaining pin to keep the receiver extension from moving. since you didn't fix the source of the problem, too much play in the receiver extension/endplate or not enough torque on the castle nut, eventually the soft bare aluminum is going to be wallowed out by the steel pin and you'll be back to square one. Good point abou the aluminum on steel, I hadn't thought of that. Yes, I used a castle nut wrench. The big problem was that whenever I would get it tight enough to eleminate wobble, then the stock would have torqed a little bit too and the stock was no longer vertically in line with the gun. It ended up sloping from right to left. |
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Originally Posted By sdailey5: Originally Posted By hellbound: your receiver extension looks like it would have fit perfectly. the wobble you described is fairly normal until you tighten down the castle nut properly, you are using a castle nut wrench, correct? all you've really done is used the buffer retaining pin to keep the receiver extension from moving. since you didn't fix the source of the problem, too much play in the receiver extension/endplate or not enough torque on the castle nut, eventually the soft bare aluminum is going to be wallowed out by the steel pin and you'll be back to square one. Good point abou the aluminum on steel, I hadn't thought of that. Yes, I used a castle nut wrench. The big problem was that whenever I would get it tight enough to eleminate wobble, then the stock would have torqed a little bit too and the stock was no longer vertically in line with the gun. It ended up sloping from right to left. Did you install your end plate? And if you did, why didn't you install the takedown pin? |
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"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
"Fast cars drag race, fast drivers road race." http://www.referenceonly.com/ |
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Yep, got the endplate on there. Take down pin is present too, just not in the picture.
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Originally Posted By sdailey5:
Originally Posted By hellbound:
your receiver extension looks like it would have fit perfectly. the wobble you described is fairly normal until you tighten down the castle nut properly, you are using a castle nut wrench, correct? all you've really done is used the buffer retaining pin to keep the receiver extension from moving. since you didn't fix the source of the problem, too much play in the receiver extension/endplate or not enough torque on the castle nut, eventually the soft bare aluminum is going to be wallowed out by the steel pin and you'll be back to square one. Good point abou the aluminum on steel, I hadn't thought of that. Yes, I used a castle nut wrench. The big problem was that whenever I would get it tight enough to eleminate wobble, then the stock would have torqed a little bit too and the stock was no longer vertically in line with the gun. It ended up sloping from right to left. you have to hold it straight while tightening it if there is that much play in the receiver extension kit... you can't just torque something down and "wish it" to line up. |
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And I looked, and behold a pale horse and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell[bound] followed with him.
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Biggest thing that stands out to me is that the OP was expecting the extension tube to butt all the way up to the retaining pin when it only needs to screw in just deep enough to "retain" the pin which means simply enough to overlap the ede of of your retaining pin. Had you done that your extension would not have protruded so far as to make it hard to seat the upper receiver.
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Originally Posted By wahoo95:
Biggest thing that stands out to me is that the OP was expecting the extension tube to butt all the way up to the retaining pin when it only needs to screw in just deep enough to "retain" the pin which means simply enough to overlap the ede of of your retaining pin. Had you done that your extension would not have protruded so far as to make it hard to seat the upper receiver. This pretty much sums it up. When I did it this way (as stated above) everything fit properly, but I was having stock wobble issues––which meant I should've focused more on the castle nut than the tube. Oh well, looks like I'll be buying a PWS Enhanced Buffer Tube now. Darn. On the other hand, does anybody else have any input on the lower receiver being out of spec?!?!? The thought never crossed my mind until people started talking about it. But the gun functions fine, so even if it were out of spec, apparently it doesn't matter? |
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sdailey5, are you using a commercial, or a mil-spec tube?
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Originally Posted By sdailey5:
Originally Posted By wahoo95:
Biggest thing that stands out to me is that the OP was expecting the extension tube to butt all the way up to the retaining pin when it only needs to screw in just deep enough to "retain" the pin which means simply enough to overlap the ede of of your retaining pin. Had you done that your extension would not have protruded so far as to make it hard to seat the upper receiver. This pretty much sums it up. When I did it this way (as stated above) everything fit properly, but I was having stock wobble issues––which meant I should've focused more on the castle nut than the tube. Oh well, looks like I'll be buying a PWS Enhanced Buffer Tube now. Darn. On the other hand, does anybody else have any input on the lower receiver being out of spec?!?!? The thought never crossed my mind until people started talking about it. But the gun functions fine, so even if it were out of spec, apparently it doesn't matter? I doubt it's out of spec. The buffer pin hole can't get any closer to the edge. The problem was probably just that you've got a tube with a grove. You don't need to go spending a crap ton on a fancy buffer tube. I'd venture to guess millions of ARs have been built with regular ass tubes. Just sharpie the crap out of your "custom" tube and call it a day. If you're really kicking yourself over the whole thing, buy a cheap mil-spec tube and try again. Here's my go to receiver extension: http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=27440/Product/CAR_15_M4_RECEIVER_EXTENSION_TUBE (Out of Stock) Here's another link: http://www.dsarms.com/DSA-US-Made-Mil-Spec-AR15-M4_CAR-6-Position-Mil-Spec-Buffer-Tube––––-MAM4BFR6/productinfo/MAM4BFR6/ |
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Thats not a Spikes Lower. Its a Spikes buffer, but not a Spikes Lower!
Originally Posted By beavo451: What lower is that?Nevermind saw that it was Spike's. I can't recall ever seeing a lower where the buffer retainer area was smooth like that. Plus, a tight castle nut should negate any wobble. Where is your takedown pin? I highly suspect there is something wrong with your lower. |
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Pack LaRue Founding Hound #32
TN SQUIRE "Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity." Fran Leahy |
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You should NOT have to do this to a receiver extension (a.k.a. buffer tube). Those that think this is a good "solution", or whatever, shouldn't be working on these guns.
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You did good.
Remember the rules of home gunsmithing: Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with a torch/dremel, grind it to fit, paint it to match! |
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From the opening post there was no indication that the lower was a Spikes Lower. The only thing visible that even looks related to Spikes Tactical is the buffer. The OP did not even mention that the lower was a Spikes Tactical lower. If you had to go into his photobucket account to do so then my recommendation to the OP is to first password protect his photobucket account to keep unwanted people out. Second is to replace that buffer tube since that is the cause of the issue.
Originally Posted By Monkey_Wrench: Originally Posted By krichbaum: You should NOT have to do this to a receiver extension (a.k.a. buffer tube). Those that think this is a good "solution", or whatever, shouldn't be working on these guns. Agreed. Originally Posted By Mobius38: That's not a Spikes Lower. Its a Spikes buffer, but not a Spikes Lower! Sure looks like one! http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l565/sdailey5/buffer.jpg (From his photobucket, same album) |
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Pack LaRue Founding Hound #32
TN SQUIRE "Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity." Fran Leahy |
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Originally Posted By Mobius38: From the opening post there was no indication that the lower was a Spikes Lower. The only thing visible that even looks related to Spikes Tactical is the buffer. The OP did not even mention that the lower was a Spikes Tactical lower. If you had to go into his photobucket account to do so then my recommendation to the OP is to first password protect his photobucket account to keep unwanted people out. Second is to replace that buffer tube since that is the cause of the issue. You seemed very confident calling it a non Spike's lower. Un-protected photobucket is there for the whole internets to see. I'd also recommend closing it. |
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"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
"Fast cars drag race, fast drivers road race." http://www.referenceonly.com/ |
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only worry about 'in too far' is if the stock doesn't latch on it's most collapsed position.
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Originally Posted By Mobius38:
From the opening post there was no indication that the lower was a Spikes Lower. The only thing visible that even looks related to Spikes Tactical is the buffer. The OP did not even mention that the lower was a Spikes Tactical lower. Originally Posted By Mobius38:
That's not a Spikes Lower. Its a Spikes buffer, but not a Spikes Lower! Originally Posted By sdailey5:
Now I feel worse. . . I figured my spikes lower would've been within spec Well Mobius38, if you will look at the OPs quote above, or go back and read post #17 of this thread you will see that the OP DID in fact indicate that the lower was a Spikes lower.
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From what I can see in the OP pictures I don't see anything "wrong" with the solution. The buffer tube came from the factory with the notch and the tube is threaded in far enough so the protruding pin is in and at the back of the notch. If the castle nut is torqued correctly it will work. It appears that the tube had excess front lip material and would not let the upper fit correctly.
One should not have to trim any parts and a call to the supplier probably would have gotten a replacement on the way for free, but I don't know and my luck with getting bad parts replaced may be different than the OPs. |
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I should be in the desert blowing up the sunshine.
NRA Life Member Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Explosives Engineer |
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soon you going to wear the top of your buffer from the upper pushing it back when you close the door....but if it works then dont fix it yet..
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Originally Posted By jdoming728:
soon you going to wear the top of your buffer from the upper pushing it back when you close the door....but if it works then dont fix it yet.. The carrier is supposed to push the buffer slightly back when you close the two receiver halves together.
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Ok, let me answer some questions here:
The receiver extension in a commercial one. Yes, it is indeed a Spikes lower. I didn't know my imageshack account was going to get plundered, but I don't really mind. On the other hand, I didn't know that could happen and I will probably lock it just becasue I don't want every Tom, Dick and Harry rifling through my pics and making a list of what I own. I'm probably going to scrap the tube that I raped and buy a mil-spec version. Kinda sucks since my CTR stock is made to commercial spec though, but I didn't know about the whole "mil-spec" vs. "commercial" when I started the build. If I had known, I probably would've gone mil-spec just because it seems more logical. Somebody posted some good pics of other lowers (don't recall who Black-Tiger, but thanks!) and the only difference I see is the location of the hole for the retainer pin and the the threading going all the way into the lower. I assume that's not a problem for me though. Seriously guys, I appreciate all the input. |
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Hey sdailey5,
If you need a new commercial buffer tube I have one that I will send you free of charge. That way you can still use your CTR stock without having to buy all new stuff. If you want it, answer my PM, or send me a new one and include your address. |
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I'm thinking the Buffer tube is out of spec. This also leads me to think that the stock will probably have some wiggle to it. Yes there is a differance between brands. You don't need the expensive PWS tube to fix this. Order a new one from Bravo. Reread the instructions on the sticky of this forums on building a Ar. Install with the plate and castle nut. It make take acouple of tries when to tighten the castle nut to get the tube straight.
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/Milspec-Receiver-Extension-Buffer-Tube-p/bcm%20milspec%20receiver%20extension.htm http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782 |
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