AR Sponsor
Posted: 1/14/2015 10:08:50 PM EDT
|
Does the gas key have any marks on the top of it to match that? It looks like it's from the charging handle. None of mine have that. They may have some scratches from the charging handle, but not that bad. I lube the contact surfaces of the handle with EWG though. |
| The gas key is not showing any wear that I wouldn't consider normal. The inside of the charging handle does not seem to have any unusual marks either. Further toward the breach, wear is not as evident. I run this rifle really wet and have tried to keep this area wet with lubricant as it seems from day one that this area was a source for wear. Gas tube is not showing unusual wear either, so at least in my mind I would say the bolt is riding home on track. When I first bought this rifle it was tight. I posted on here and had a lengthy discussion about it. I sent it back to S&W due to the bolt not closing all the way and not completely chambering the round, it would stop short just barely. S&W sent it back with a new 10round magazine and said nothing was wrong with it. I spent the next long long while reading forums and doing all I could to get it to run right, finally I surmised that the rifle was just as tight as your virgin girlfriend. When my round count hit around 3 thousand very long and painful rounds it was like a lightbulb just turned on and the rifle decided that it was going to be my friend. It has not failed since, hot, cold, dry, wet, muddy, snowing, it suddenly started kicking ass. Now I wonder if the wear I'm seeing isn't a contributer to that. |
| Trouble is that wear is inevitable. I do not let the charging handle ride home either as some may think. I on this rifle pull the bolt back and lock it, then push the handle in myself, then I hit the release. I don't know how to preserve it any better. Could the problem be, in part, the handle? If so, is the a more beefy replacement? |
| It could very well be the handle, but I can't recommend one as I've never had issues with the factory ones on my rifles. I've always swapped the latch with an extended one and let her rip with no issues, so I've never felt the need for any of the aftermarket ones. |
| I contacted S&W and they are going to mail a new charging handle first and see what that does. I don't mind, as it is hospitable of them to do so. I'm not sure what that will do, though if some of the excess "slop" in the handle disappears I suppose I'd be happy. If it doesn't and it feels the same, I'm sending it back to let them take a look at it. Just updating the hive. |
|
Quoted: I contacted S&W and they are going to mail a new charging handle first and see what that does. I don't mind, as it is hospitable of them to do so. I'm not sure what that will do, though if some of the excess "slop" in the handle disappears I suppose I'd be happy. If it doesn't and it feels the same, I'm sending it back to let them take a look at it. Just updating the hive. |
|
Quoted: Looks like a broach busted in there and it may have gotten sent through before being finished being cut. That gouge that's pie shaped in the middle of wear mark is what I'm talking about. |
| Well initially you would be correct. Went to the range since the pic and have had zero problems so far. I have resigned myself to not sending it back to S&W, in part because the BCG is now super smooth in the upper. My newest and last question to the hive is this: Can premature or excessive wear in this area, even cause an issue? Other than that of a handle being sloppy as hell? If not, I'll lay down and say screw it. |
| The photo shows upper receiver overhang wear attributed to the charge handle being lifted when pulled. The unusual gouge may have helped supply the surfaces with bits of abrasive. And if you ever installed an AccuWedge and used the receiver overhang to compress the Wedge then the overhang may be slightly bent. To make a long story short, ask S&W to replace the upper receiver (they may install a new upper assembly) and purchase a BCM charge handle. And in the future instead of holding it to floor until it decides to run right take it to a qualified gunsmith. |
|
Quoted:
The photo shows upper receiver overhang wear attributed to the charge handle being lifted when pulled. The unusual gouge may have helped supply the surfaces with bits of abrasive. And if you ever installed an AccuWedge and used the receiver overhang to compress the Wedge then the overhang may be slightly bent. To make a long story short, ask S&W to replace the upper receiver (they may install a new upper assembly) and purchase a BCM charge handle. And in the future instead of holding it to floor until it decides to run right take it to a qualified gunsmith. Sorry man, that's not from lifting up on the handle, as stated earlier I don't even let the handle ride home. I'm cool with it though. Also, I damn sure hope that sending the rifle back to S&W qualifies as a "qualified gunsmith". I'd hate to think the manufacture doesn't qualify. 
|
AR Sponsor