AR Sponsor
Posted: 11/29/2016 12:00:52 AM EDT
|
So, gonna have to post this in three parts due to 2000 character restriction for newbies.
Part 1: I picked up a pre-owned (home built) AR15 during my travels that had just come into a local gun shop that day as a trade. Looked brand new (at first, I thought it was new), clearly had not be shot much, if at all! Had to wonder, why spend all that time and effort to build one, and not even fire it? I don't know, maybe that's just what he does. For the most part, it looks like the builder tried to use quality (but not real high end) parts. All MagPul furniture all around - MagPul 6 position adjustable stock, MagPul MOE hand guards w/ attached rails, MagPul Hand Guard Mounted Forward Grip, Quick Release Sling keeper, Dark Earth Tone, MAG Tactical Systems lower, Spikes Tactical Lower Parts Kit, Spikes Tactical T2 Buffer and Spring, nice 4x optics on it, Unknown Upper, but MilSpec BCG, barrel marked "L 5.56 NATO 1/8" (I really like the 1/8 twist barrels on my AR's and have a high preference for Spikes Tactical parts). For the price, it was an impulse buy that was too good to pass up. |
|
Part 2:
So, off to the range we go to see how she shoots! I know why he traded it in. He had no idea what what he was doing and likely knew he screwed it up and wanted to unload it rather than admit defeat. Being "used", I actually expected some issue(s) and after inspecting it before going to the range, figured it was "sound enough" to test fire and what might be wrong with it, I could fix. It fired well with good groups, but It Short Stroked, although it ejected all casing just fine, but bolt would lock to the rear upon empty mag, and I had occasional Double Feed and Failure to Feed. Here's what I've found so far. The Bolt Catch Release Detent was not installed. Just the spring. Easy Fix. Gas Rings seemed a little sloppy - replaced with quality Colt Gas Rings. No burs or other issues found with the Bolt or inside the Bolt Carrier. However, I checked for gas leaks after replacing the Gas Rings and found an excess leak around the carrier key base. A closer exam of the carrier key stakes clearly showed the builder did not stake the carrier key bolts adequately enough. It has a "token dent" in the four stake locations, not a good stake that would prevent the bolt from turning. So, figured I'd check the torque. One of the two bolts spun with no effort at all! It was sheared off! I'm not sure what was keeping that bolt head in place! I was able to easily remove the carrier key and I should be able to drill out and extract the broken off bolt. |
|
Part 3:
Anyway, sorry for the long thread, but here's my question. Can the carrier key be "reused" if it's already been installed and staked once? Can it be reused and "re-staked" properly or should I just replace it? I had planned on converting it to an Adams Arms Piston system anyway, which comes with a whole new BCG for the piston system, but I'd really like to find out if I appropriately diagnosed and resolved the issues with this home built before converting it / before spending the money on the piston conversion kit. I think the builder had all good intentions, but his skills, abilities, and execution in this build fell short. |
|
Quoted:
Part 3: Anyway, sorry for the long thread, but here's my question. Can the carrier key be "reused" if it's already been installed and staked once? Can it be reused and "re-staked" properly or should I just replace it? I had planned on converting it to an Adams Arms Piston system anyway, which comes with a whole new BCG for the piston system, but I'd really like to find out if I appropriately diagnosed and resolved the issues with this home built before converting it / before spending the money on the piston conversion kit. I think the builder had all good intentions, but his skills, abilities, and execution in this build fell short. Just don't try to stake it in the same place. Do your staking in a spot that has plenty of material to be moved, and you'll be fine. |
|
Quoted:
I've reused carrier keys before. As long as it is in good condition, go ahead. Anticipate some comments here that because the gas key is relatively cheap, you should replace it. G. Thanks for the feedback! The carrier key is in perfect condition, except for the original "token stake marks", that were woefully insufficient. |
|
Quoted:
Just don't try to stake it in the same place. Do your staking in a spot that has plenty of material to be moved, and you'll be fine. Quoted:
Quoted:
Part 3: Anyway, sorry for the long thread, but here's my question. Can the carrier key be "reused" if it's already been installed and staked once? Can it be reused and "re-staked" properly or should I just replace it? I had planned on converting it to an Adams Arms Piston system anyway, which comes with a whole new BCG for the piston system, but I'd really like to find out if I appropriately diagnosed and resolved the issues with this home built before converting it / before spending the money on the piston conversion kit. I think the builder had all good intentions, but his skills, abilities, and execution in this build fell short. Just don't try to stake it in the same place. Do your staking in a spot that has plenty of material to be moved, and you'll be fine. Good advice bbies1973! As mentioned, the key is great condition, except for the VERY small dents from the original attempts at staking, which were insufficient. I really need to post a pic of it. |
AR Sponsor