Posted: 3/27/2010 5:08:56 AM EDT
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I received my new complete stealth upper Wednesday and the Lower came into the FFL yesterday. Ecstatic, I quickly brought the lower home and began assembling. All went well and all that was left to do was to attached the upper to the lower. I lined up the front pivot pin and it was a very tight fit but I was still able to line it up. I thought, "excellent, nice tight fit but still able to assemble and disassemble by hand".
Then came the rear. I pivoted the upper and lower together and the rear lug and lower refused to fit together. After a bit of trying I gave it a mighty swing and it simply got stuck half way down the lug. Trying all types of non-finish marring objects to open them back up, a screwdriver was the only object that would do it which of course marred the finish a little (my fault for not being more patient, I know). So I made extra sure there was plenty of oil between the lug and the lower and tried again. Same result. I resorted to some powerful blows from a rubber mallet to finally get them together. There was instantly a smell of burned oil in the air it was so tight. So what I now have is a very expensive weapon that cannot be field stripped. The upper and lower refuse to come apart (as would be expected given the force it took to put them together). About the only way to get them apart would be to wedge something between the two halves which would severely mar the finish. This is only my second build but my first (not Larue) fit nice and tight but nothing like this. Is this normal? Was I supposed to have to do file work to get them to fit? I assumed since I ordered the upper and lower together they would have taken the time to ensure a good fit between the upper and lower before shipping. Am I missing something or am I justified in being unhappy with this purchase? |
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I received my new complete stealth upper Wednesday and the Lower came into the FFL yesterday. Ecstatic, I quickly brought the lower home and began assembling. All went well and all that was left to do was to attached the upper to the lower. I lined up the front pivot pin and it was a very tight fit but I was still able to line it up. I thought, "excellent, nice tight fit but still able to assemble and disassemble by hand". Then came the rear. I pivoted the upper and lower together and the rear lug and lower refused to fit together. After a bit of trying I gave it a mighty swing and it simply got stuck half way down the lug. Trying all types of non-finish marring objects to open them back up, a screwdriver was the only object that would do it which of course marred the finish a little (my fault for not being more patient, I know). So I made extra sure there was plenty of oil between the lug and the lower and tried again. Same result. I resorted to some powerful blows from a rubber mallet to finally get them together. There was instantly a smell of burned oil in the air it was so tight. So what I now have is a very expensive weapon that cannot be field stripped. The upper and lower refuse to come apart (as would be expected given the force it took to put them together). About the only way to get them apart would be to wedge something between the two halves which would severely mar the finish. This is only my second build but my first (not Larue) fit nice and tight but nothing like this. Is this normal? Was I supposed to have to do file work to get them to fit? I assumed since I ordered the upper and lower together they would have taken the time to ensure a good fit between the upper and lower before shipping. Am I missing something or am I justified in being unhappy with this purchase? When I purchased my stealth I initially mated it with another lower while I waited for my LT lower to come in. I experienced the same issue that you outlined above. I even did the little screwdriver trick and have the marks to show for it...plus a few others...oh well. I took that lower and did a little dremel work on the inside so that the stealth would fit...a few days later my LT lower arrived and I was able to build it and check the fit...it was not overly tight but it was "snug". If your experiencing anything like I experienced with the "other" lower I feel your pain. I'd give them a call at the shop first thing Monday morning. I promise they will fix the issue. And in my opinion yes you have an issue...you may be able to fix it yourself with a little sandpaper. I guess some folks would like the overly tight finish....but I was afraid I was gonna break something (possibly my fingers!) trying to get the two parts apart. Call LT they'll get ya fixed up. |
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Just thinking, You do have the hammer cocked right?  TAG for answer!!! Thank you all for the feedback. The hammer was indeed cocked. Unfortunately it is not a tad tight, it is insanely tight. No amount of smacking on the handguard will open it up (I've tried and have the beat up hands to show it. The problem is that if something went wrong with it and it needed to be field stripped away from a tool bench i'd be SOL. That and I don't like tearing up the finish just to take it down. I'll give LaRue a call first thing Monday. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Just thinking, You do have the hammer cocked right? TAG for answer!!! Thank you all for the feedback. The hammer was indeed cocked. Unfortunately it is not a tad tight, it is insanely tight. No amount of smacking on the handguard will open it up (I've tried and have the beat up hands to show it. The problem is that if something went wrong with it and it needed to be field stripped away from a tool bench i'd be SOL. That and I don't like tearing up the finish just to take it down. I'll give LaRue a call first thing Monday. I agree. I don't like having to use a hammer and a punch to get my weapon apart. It wasn't designed that way. That said, I'm still looking forward to getting my LT lowers. When I get a better job, there's 2 on the way. |
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Just thinking, You do have the hammer cocked right? TAG for answer!!! Thank you all for the feedback. The hammer was indeed cocked. Unfortunately it is not a tad tight, it is insanely tight. No amount of smacking on the handguard will open it up (I've tried and have the beat up hands to show it. The problem is that if something went wrong with it and it needed to be field stripped away from a tool bench i'd be SOL. That and I don't like tearing up the finish just to take it down. I'll give LaRue a call first thing Monday. That's your best bet, you know they'll make it right. |
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I got my OBR yesterday and can't get it apart either lol. The pins went out no problem (with a hammer and punch) but I can't get that sucker opened. I figured I'll just shoot it and hopefully it'll loosen up. Got mine apart tonight lol. I had to enlist my brother to pull on the lower while I pulled on the upper but she finally came apart! |
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They will fit perfectly after 500-1000 rounds. Mine was also waaaay tight (had to use a rubber mallet the first few times), but after 5 months of shooting it has loosened up to a great fit. How did you get them apart when you went to take it down for cleaning? |
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They will fit perfectly after 500-1000 rounds. Mine was also waaaay tight (had to use a rubber mallet the first few times), but after 5 months of shooting it has loosened up to a great fit. How did you get them apart when you went to take it down for cleaning? I'd tap the upper with the soft part (black) of a rubber mallet. Once it started to go, I would rest the rifle on my legs (front pin on my left leg, buttstock on my right leg) and gently tap the top of the handguard (while pushing down on the buttstock) until the back broke free. It sucks in the beginning, but the payoff is an upper and lower fit that is rock solid. |
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I got my OBR yesterday and can't get it apart either lol. The pins went out no problem (with a hammer and punch) but I can't get that sucker opened. I figured I'll just shoot it and hopefully it'll loosen up. Got mine apart tonight lol. I had to enlist my brother to pull on the lower while I pulled on the upper but she finally came apart! Disengage the rear pin ... center the front pin on your thigh ... while holding the stock locked steady with your left hand (if you're right-handed) smack down with you're right hand on the top and end of the handguard like you mean it. Shazam. ML |
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After a bit of trying I gave it a mighty swing and it simply got stuck half way down the lug. "Mighty swings" are nice for Thor, but of only limited application when dealing with precise machines. A Sharpie is my most important gun work tool. When fitting two surfaces, cover them with ink, press together firmly, and then stone the marks. If they only assemble part way, do the same, and the next try they will assemble further. I just ordered a Stealth upper, and it's good to know that they left enough material on the lugs to allow for fitting. If the lugs are where they are interfering. |
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I got my OBR yesterday and can't get it apart either lol. The pins went out no problem (with a hammer and punch) but I can't get that sucker opened. I figured I'll just shoot it and hopefully it'll loosen up. Got mine apart tonight lol. I had to enlist my brother to pull on the lower while I pulled on the upper but she finally came apart! Disengage the rear pin ... center the front pin on your thigh ... while holding the stock locked steady with your left hand (if you're right-handed) smack down with you're right hand on the top and end of the handguard like you mean it. Shazam. ML Thanks for the tip Mark, I will try that next time I have to tear this awesome work of art down! I will have pics and a short review up in another thread sometime tomorrow, had some fun with it this weekend! 
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Quoted: Quoted: They will fit perfectly after 500-1000 rounds. Mine was also waaaay tight (had to use a rubber mallet the first few times), but after 5 months of shooting it has loosened up to a great fit. How did you get them apart when you went to take it down for cleaning? He probably just does this -  - more than you!Seriously though, it went together, it will come apart. After a few hundred rounds when you have a nice snug fit, you will appreciate the fact that it started off that tight. There is nothing wrong with your upper rifle. |
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When my OBR came in and I looked it over I was very impressed with the quality)
Well I had to take a look inside and it came apart just fine but I couldn't swing or hinge it together either. So I pulled the front pin back out and with both pins out I slid it together instead of trying to hinge it together worked fine for me that way. I have not a clue how the hell they machine so close. Love that work of art. |
my philosophy is that it will always fit. just needs adequate lube  .
my only complaint about my stealth upper and lower is that my rear lug i can push it out but sometimes i have a hard time pushing it far enough to grip on the far side due to the design of the lower. not a big deal but man do the fit like a glove together. i would go as far to say they were cut from the same block. |
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I got my OBR yesterday and can't get it apart either lol. The pins went out no problem (with a hammer and punch) but I can't get that sucker opened. I figured I'll just shoot it and hopefully it'll loosen up. Got mine apart tonight lol. I had to enlist my brother to pull on the lower while I pulled on the upper but she finally came apart! Disengage the rear pin ... center the front pin on your thigh ... while holding the stock locked steady with your left hand (if you're right-handed) smack down with you're right hand on the top and end of the handguard like you mean it. Shazam. ML Tried it tonight, now have a cut up hand and it did not budge a bit. If I start beating on the rail with the rubber mallet will it harm the rail? Would it knock it out of index? Considering the front rail / hand guard is also the front sight base, that has me a little nervious to start smacking it with the mallet. |
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I got my OBR yesterday and can't get it apart either lol. The pins went out no problem (with a hammer and punch) but I can't get that sucker opened. I figured I'll just shoot it and hopefully it'll loosen up. Got mine apart tonight lol. I had to enlist my brother to pull on the lower while I pulled on the upper but she finally came apart! Disengage the rear pin ... center the front pin on your thigh ... while holding the stock locked steady with your left hand (if you're right-handed) smack down with you're right hand on the top and end of the handguard like you mean it. Shazam. ML Tried it tonight, now have a cut up hand and it did not budge a bit. If I start beating on the rail with the rubber mallet will it harm the rail? Would it knock it out of index? Considering the front rail / hand guard is also the front sight base, that has me a little nervious to start smacking it with the mallet. I used the technique just a minute ago and it worked like a charm on my OBR. A solid 2-3 whacks and off she came! |
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I got my OBR yesterday and can't get it apart either lol. The pins went out no problem (with a hammer and punch) but I can't get that sucker opened. I figured I'll just shoot it and hopefully it'll loosen up. Got mine apart tonight lol. I had to enlist my brother to pull on the lower while I pulled on the upper but she finally came apart! Disengage the rear pin ... center the front pin on your thigh ... while holding the stock locked steady with your left hand (if you're right-handed) smack down with you're right hand on the top and end of the handguard like you mean it. Shazam. ML Tried it tonight, now have a cut up hand and it did not budge a bit. If I start beating on the rail with the rubber mallet will it harm the rail? Would it knock it out of index? Considering the front rail / hand guard is also the front sight base, that has me a little nervious to start smacking it with the mallet. Oops, forgot about ya - what happend, did ya get out the big hammer ? |