I took the new build out to the NRA range tonight. Loaded her up, pulled the charging handle, fired the first round...it went bang, but the next round didn't go bang...so I pulled the charging handle, and out came the spent shell casing. Hmmm....fired the next round, and noticed I didn't get pelted by hot .223 brass bouncing off the lexan wall to my right hehehe. Okay..something wrong here...it appears I have a single shot AR.
My guess is the removable gas block is not in the right position, and there's no gas getting into the gas tube to cycle the action. I had a buddy fire the rifle while I watched...the bolt carrier moves back about 2 or 3 millimeters then just stops.
Everything is well lubed, and even though the bolt IS tight going into the locking lugs, I don't think there's any way it could not fly back if it was getting a full gas charge.
Well, I'm gonna call Model 1 tomorrow and see what they say...I'm sure I could fix it by just loosening the block, and making sure the tube is not obstruced, then making sure I got the block back on where it needs to be.
Good thing I brought the Mk II along...another 300 rounds through that got rid of my frustration at the AR.
I guess I'll find out tomorrow how well Model 1 stands behind their product. Meanwhile, I talked to a guy at the range who I know pretty well, who does a lot of AR shooting. He didn't seem to think very highly of that particular gas block, citing numeruous failures he's seen with it.
If I have to send it back, I might just go ahead and have them put the regular front sight on there, to avoid the kinds of problems he's talking about.
Stay tuned!