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Posted: 12/4/2012 7:14:57 PM EDT
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I just started my build last week, and here's what's up...
I ordered an ACE buffer tube (the gusseted one), and I had extreme difficulty threading it into my lower receiver. It started, but then started getting really tight after the first turn (not cross-theaded). I was able to work it in another turn or so by backing it out a little and then back in. So after going about 2-2.5turns, I decided to grab my strap wrench. Granted, I'm doing this in my lap by holding the grip and the strap wrench. That's when things got ugly. I got it to go another turn, and then the tube locked up entirely. By this point, I was about to cry. I had to resort to channel locks to get the tube back out. Basically, I had to lay the receiver on the floor, and put all my weight (and bouncing) on the pliers in order to remove the tube. I know I was putting a lot of pressure on the grip, and the lower receiver, in general. Now when I look at it, I can't tell if I bent the lower receiver. I don't know if it's just my eyes, or if I bent the grip mount and/or the buffer tube mount. Is that even possible? That area of the receiver looks pretty stout. Would my 170lbs on the grip and the pliers be able to bend the lower receiver? I already called ACE, and they're going to send me another buffer tube after I send this one back to them. Whether or not my lower receiver (YHM) is threaded properly has yet to be verified. The first thread does look a little weird. I just hate to wait, possibly, 2 weeks to get a new buffer tube, to be able to verify the threading, and whether the BCG will cycle into the tube properly. |
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Rules of anything mechanical...
If it isn't suppose to require more force than your bare hand... Don't resort to using something more... You now could have easily damaged a working lower... But a trip to a local auto store or even a smith would have cost you around 20... Now it may cost you a lot more... Yes you could have bent it but youllnhave to wait. I just hope you didnt cross thread your lower. |
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I checked the back end of the receiver, and it's straight. I've also tried putting my scope level on the flat area of the top the receiver, and comparing it with other areas. It SEEMS to be ok, but it's hard to say conclusively.
It's not like the pliers I had were the "Big AZZ" Channellock pliers. They were just a smaller 10" pair so I probably didn't actually put 170 ft-lbs on it. I'm just extremely (and excessively) paranoid about these things, and it seems like I either have really good luck, or really bad luck. I had no intention of forcing it, and I had removed and rechecked the threads on the receiver and the buffer tube probably 100 times. I figured I was almost halfway to the buffer pin when I decided to use the strap wrench. |
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Quoted:
I did not cross thread the lower... The ACE buffer tube is different than your typical mil-spec tube. I really wasn't sure if it wasn't made to be a tight fit since it doesn't have a castle nut to lock it in place. Some models of the ACE tubes are that way. I have never seen or heard of any ACE tube being out of spec, top quality stuff. Any RE should thread on with light finger pressure only. |
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Quoted:
Just 10 inch channel locks? So I'm going to assume you don't have another AR to try the tube to determine the bad piece: lower or buffer tube. Right? And does that mean you are building your first AR? If so Ill underscore why you shouldn't do that... Yeah, JUST 10" channel locks...that's my baby pair. This is my second build. I built my first 4 years ago, but I sold it a couple years ago to fund another purchase. |
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