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Posted: 10/25/2006 11:24:12 AM EDT
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I have a Gemtech HALO on order. In the meantime, I figured I'd pick up a new 14.5" upper with the A2 FH factory installed with a peel washer. Just got the upper today. The FH was installed with the peel washer like I had asked but whoever torqued it on torqued it so hard that they rounded off part of the flats. When you look down the bore it is obvious that the FH opening near the bore is not concentric with the bore. I have to check when I get home tonight but I don't think my other upper recievers have FHs that look off-center. I contacted my dealer, who's about 2.5 hrs away, to see if he could have his gun-smith look at it for me but I probably won't hear back from him until tomorrow. Until then, can any HALO owners or AR gun smiths chime in. Is this such an obvious defect that I should ship it back to the manufacturer right now and save shipping cost to send it to a gun smith? Any help would be appreciated. This will be my first suppressor and so I might be a little paraonoid about messing it up. |
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Your HALO will come with a peel washer, you'll also need to order some Flexbar Rocksett to "lock" your FS on with. The HALO will come with simple installation instructions for your FS and can. If the FS is not looking concentric then it's probably the barrel threads, rather than the FS, I'd send it back if it ain't right. Who did you get it from/brand? |
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I wish you were accepting PM's or E-mail through the website. I could save you a long distance phone call. Instead I'll just say, "Call us at the office and we'll get you squared away." Owen Gemtech Sales (208) 939-7222 or send an e-mail to our technical staff: techstaff AT gem-tech dot com 
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Fixed my profile to accept e-mail. I checked my other two upper recievers last night. One is an Eagle Arms A2 I bought about 12 years ago, installed with a peel washer, and the FH does not appear to be off center. The other is a bushmaster with a crush washer (NOT going to use it with the HALO)...it seems OK also. I've been around more than a few m-16s in my life and I don't quite remember seeing something obvious like this. I showed the upper to a non-ar buddy at work and asked him if he noticed anything wrong and he told me that something looked off-center. So if he can spot it visually.... New upper is a bushmaster. I did call tech support as soon as I saw it and they told me that until I get the suppressor its probably not possible to tell for sure. Seems logical. I won't go on a bushmaster bashing spree because everything i've gotten from them, including customer service has been good. And I'll still buy stuff from them. Oh, not to be picky, but the handgaurd cap is loose too. I could send the upper to my dealer, wait for the HALO to show up (Nov 9th ish) and have his smith check it for me while my paper work goes through BATF. If the FH is out of spec I'm sure they can throw another one on. If the barrel is threaded wrong...ht First SBR, first suppressor. I just don't want to mess it up. Thanks for any advice. |
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true. I can use one of the other uppers in the meantime. shipping it back to Bushmaster today for them to inspect it. I don't really want to waste my dealer's time or Gem-tech's time with something that might be obviously defective from the get go. I was curious to see if anybody else had an upper with a FH that was off-center like that. First one I've seen. Shit happens. I guess that's why they've got customer service. If they check it and it is indeed off, send me another upper, and I'll still have my dealer or gem-tech double check it for me just to be sure. I'm just glad I noticed it now, or this post could have been "Baffle strike with first suppressor." Like I said, Bushmaster has taken care of me so far. |
Or use a drill rod down the barrel to tell maybe?
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drill rod down the barrel by my dealer. part of the problem is I lack patience and was hoping to try that upper receiver out. I shipped it back. Kid behind the counter at UPS read the address which said "Bushmaster Firearms" then ran off and got the assistant manager. He Then he took off and found the manager. They made me open the box and show them what was inside. After they were satisfied that I wasn't shipping nuclear weapon secrets to north korea they proceeded to print the shipping label with the wrong city and zip code. his I guess I deserve that for living in a liberal college town full of anti-gunners. |
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Did you happen to take a picture of it before you sent it off? Really no matter now, since you've already sent it back to Bushmaster. I hope it works out. The HALO is an awesome can. I just picked up a mount for the Gemtech G5, which can also be used with the HALO. I'll use it to create a 16" OAL from a 14.5" barrel. Maybe a Noveske Afghan..... |
Nope. Probably should have done that. Gem-Tech was cool enough to send me an e-mail saying that this isn't the first time they've seen this problem. Kinda reassuring. It just sucks cause I wanted to go shoot it. Bushmaster should get the upper on Monday (that's assuming UPS doesn't lose it.) So I'm hoping to hear something from them real soon. If I had it to do all over again, I probably would have ordered an upper from a dealer that also sells HALOs. They could probably gauge it there and know its right before they ship it. I think my next upper will be an 18" SPRish. Lesson learned perhaps. |
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Got my upper back from Bushmaster with a note saying they re-barreled it and replaced the flash hider. Handgaurd end cap is tight and the rounded off FH was replaced. Visually this one is MUCH better than the other one. So now I at least have a good place to start. I read somewhere that 2 to 3 percent of factory barrels have goofed up threads. I'll ship the upper to my dealer to double check it for me with the HALO attached while my paperwork goes through. |
I had an A-2 FS that wasn't forged/drilled correctly and sanding the end wouldn't fix it. Always sight down your barrel when you first install your can to look for alignment. If you can see a baffle, you are probably going to hit it. I got very lucky and only had a copper streak on my end cap. If you are still unsure, send it to Gem-Tech and they will check it with the proper tools. |
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arrrrgh15, Good idea, I like the idea having someone else look at. As wildearp suggested, you can tell look through the barrel and if you see baffle(s), don't shoot as you will certainly cause damage. Be opatient and have the problem fixed. Gemtech has done good making the HALO, IMHO. Heed their advice and you you'll have a can that will serve you well. Couple of other things ... Be sure the HALO and FH attachment are snug at all times. If not, and the unit works loose, you'll have baffle strikes. I have found the HALO comes loose firing a dozen or so 223 rounds but rim fire is no worries. Also, point of bullet impact may change so take good notes. By all means be safe and enjoy! |
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Thanks for all the advice guys. I have a cool sheriff that signs your forms and mails them back to you within 2 days, my dealer has been more than helpful, Gem-Tech has been cool, Bushmaster has turned stuff around pretty quick. I just never counted on the weird thread or goofy FH. Live and learn. |
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