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10/20/2013 5:44:23 PM EDT
Mega forged upper
Ice Arms stainless barrel (Green Mountain)
Diamondhead VRS-T handguard

Today was the last day of assembly.  Added the gas tube and block and noticed that it looked like the barrel wasn't straight.  If you were looking from the back of the gun towards the compensator, it pulls to the left.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/IMG_1427.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/IMG_1430.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/IMG_1431.jpg

The gas tube appears to be a bit twisted due to the alignment

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/IMG_1432.jpg

In this picture the straight edge is aligned with the upper rail and the black line you can see near the compensator is parallel and you can still see the offset

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/IMG_1433.jpg

I then reinstalled the handguard and the straight edge lined up with the rail of the upper and the handguard so I think this rules out the handguard being crooked.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/IMG_1434.jpg

Here is the view from above

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/IMG_1435.jpg


I saw a few threads that spoke of using a lapping tool.  how do I know if it's the barrel or the upper?  Depending which it is, should I take this up with the manufacturer or try to fix it myself?
10/20/2013 7:25:04 PM EDT
[#1]
Remove the barrel and use an L-square to check the barrel.  It could be the barrel, the barrel extension or the receiver. You need to measure each to figure it out.
10/21/2013 5:53:59 AM EDT
[#2]
Thanks for the suggestion.  Did exactly that and here's what I got:

Used a T square with the bottom of the barrel sitting on the base of the T and the flange of the barrel touching the upright of the T

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/9804771D-19B2-4818-8119-9CE42A487CEE-1074-000001BF80CA7648_zpse0596627.jpg

Here's the bottom of the barrel facing forward:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/99CC1A88-E877-4995-AC4D-9DAFF8591C39-1074-000001BF93982679_zpsafd61504.jpg

Here's the top of the barrel facing forward:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/5934894A-4EF5-4574-9703-924590486DDB-1074-000001BF9E0F49D2_zps17ec9cf9.jpg
10/21/2013 12:31:08 PM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
Thanks for the suggestion.  Did exactly that and here's what I got:

Used a T square with the bottom of the barrel sitting on the base of the T and the flange of the barrel touching the upright of the T

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/9804771D-19B2-4818-8119-9CE42A487CEE-1074-000001BF80CA7648_zpse0596627.jpg

Here's the bottom of the barrel facing forward:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/99CC1A88-E877-4995-AC4D-9DAFF8591C39-1074-000001BF93982679_zpsafd61504.jpg

Here's the top of the barrel facing forward:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jberens/5934894A-4EF5-4574-9703-924590486DDB-1074-000001BF9E0F49D2_zps17ec9cf9.jpg
View Quote


How is the alignment prior to tightening the barrel nut? Also, is the extension collar resting flush against the face of the barrel socket? If not, then the channel for the index pin may have been cut too shallow, or the extension pin incorrectly located too far back, away from the collar. If this is the case, then the barrel is being pulled to one side as the nut is being torqued.
10/21/2013 1:48:18 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History

How is the alignment prior to tightening the barrel nut? Also, is the extension collar resting flush against the face of the barrel socket? If not, then the channel for the index pin may have been cut too shallow, or the extension pin incorrectly located too far back, away from the collar. If this is the case, then the barrel is being pulled to one side as the nut is being torqued.
View Quote


why does this matter if the barrel isn't straight to start with?
10/21/2013 2:26:09 PM EDT
[#5]
I see your problem, it's ICE Arms. I have heard stories about their BCG's having issues in a group buy in another forum. The gas keys were not staked properly. Avoid ICE Arms!!!
10/21/2013 4:58:30 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:


why does this matter if the barrel isn't straight to start with?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:

How is the alignment prior to tightening the barrel nut? Also, is the extension collar resting flush against the face of the barrel socket? If not, then the channel for the index pin may have been cut too shallow, or the extension pin incorrectly located too far back, away from the collar. If this is the case, then the barrel is being pulled to one side as the nut is being torqued.


why does this matter if the barrel isn't straight to start with?


Lay the barrel on a flat surface and roll it. Is it bent? Is the extension offset?
10/21/2013 11:46:37 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:


why does this matter if the barrel isn't straight to start with?
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Quote History
Quoted:

How is the alignment prior to tightening the barrel nut? Also, is the extension collar resting flush against the face of the barrel socket? If not, then the channel for the index pin may have been cut too shallow, or the extension pin incorrectly located too far back, away from the collar. If this is the case, then the barrel is being pulled to one side as the nut is being torqued.


why does this matter if the barrel isn't straight to start with?

It's the process of elimination.
10/22/2013 6:49:21 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:
I see your problem, it's ICE Arms. I have heard stories about their BCG's having issues in a group buy in another forum. The gas keys were not staked properly. Avoid ICE Arms!!!
View Quote


Those are harsh word considering you've *heard online* they had gas key staking issues.
10/25/2013 6:57:48 PM EDT
[#9]
Not only was the barrel not straight, the gas port was not top dead center.  I picked up and installed a Wilson Combat barrel and it's straight as an arrow.
10/28/2013 1:14:28 PM EDT
[#10]
Too bad to hear about the crooked barrel. I have had good experiences with ice arms thus far. Was considering one of their barrels. Will watch for this if I do.
10/29/2013 2:22:38 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:
Not only was the barrel not straight, the gas port was not top dead center.  I picked up and installed a Wilson Combat barrel and it's straight as an arrow.
View Quote


What did you do with the Ice Arms barrel?
10/30/2013 4:56:00 AM EDT
[#12]
I still have the barrel.  I spoke with Colin on the phone a week ago and he said he was sending a return shipping label.  That was a week ago, I haven't received anything yet.  I'll try my luck at contacting them again.
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