Posted: 3/18/2008 8:00:39 PM EDT
|
Well, I got my M14 back from the smith today after getting a new barrel for it. I sent it in on Feb 1st, and was quoted 10 business days...Delays are okay as long as the product is top notch. Well, it didn't go well really... 1. My Troy MCS didn't fit the barrel from the factory. It was dremel time on a little metal part in there. 2. I noted that my connector lock and pin appeared to be MIA. Looks like I can't shoot this weekend... 3. And the kicker: My gas lock will not thread on! So my gun is now a nice wall-hanger until I get a new barrel....again. Anyone had an experience like this? |
OY!
Oh SNAP!
|
man that sucks! you have as bad as luck as i do. it seems like the main problem is smiths are over worked and under staffed, it is a true dying art just like black smithing. the only thing i can thank is as hard to find as a good gunsmith is a good farrier for horses. sorry to here about your wall hanger. Ronald |
|
I don't know how I feel about it yet. I shot it very little before sending my rifle for a rebarrel....here are a few initial impressions: 1. My receiver was out of spec in that they drilled the hole for the rear sight shafts a little too high. The MCS didnt like this much, and I had to ... accommodate it with shim stock. It doesn't look quite perfect from the rear now, but it does work right. 2. While taking the rifle into and out of the chassis, the aluminum stay up front for the barrel band gets really chewed up. It should really have a steel section there. 3. Using an AR grip on the chassis never felt as good as using the JAE-100 did. This is mostly because there is no gap filler there for the trigger area, so your hand has a tendancy to slip into that groove there. The Tango Down grip with it's built in ledge there might do better. Other than that, the machining is top notch and everything works as expected. I like the performance of the chassis once you get past those mild issues. The barrel tensioner works well and enhances accuracy. |
|
I sold the JAE-100 specifically to try the TROY MCS. The MCS is a little lighter I have found. It also eliminates the optics mounting issues totally from the equation. It also lets me use my M14 more easily with body armor. However, for general target shooting the JAE-100 was a lot better in the ergonomics field. It was also one of the finest made pieces of gun kit I have ever seen. Don't get me wrong, the troy is nicely made, but the JAE almost seems like it wasn't made by humans. If I had to do it again, it would be a simple choice: JAE for target work, Troy MCS for field. |
|
So, it sounds like a job unfinished. What did the smith have to say about it? Did he just blow you off, and thinks a non-functional gun is okay to return to a paying customer? If so, sounds like the type of guy we'd want to avoid.... Or, am I missing something, and the smith simply got a barrel for you? I really don't understand how one could drop off a rifle for a new barrel, and then get back a rifle that is non-functional..... 
|
|
I was asked to only send the barreled action and bolt... I talked to the smith today. He said that his gas lock checked out fine, and to send him the rifle again with all of my parts and he will ensure that it comes back to me in one piece. Sounds good to me...but I'm out shipping again, and x months. I'm glad I bought another rifle to keep me company while this one is reworked. |
|
Dude, name the smith. Shoddy shit like that needs to be known, so as to be avoided. I'll name one, just to get things started. There is a hyperactive chimp with a dremel that works at Denny's Guns in NKC. Don't have him do any 1911 work, unless you want your gun made into a club for an extra $250. |