Bobbalouie
New member
Last weekend, as I took my relatively new (200 rounds) AR-15 from its case after a range session to clean it, I heard a metalic rattle. Upon taking it down, I found a hex-headed screw-head floating around in the upper reciever. Know where this is headed?
The screw head was from one of the two screws which hold the bolt-carrier key in place. It had apparently been sheared off due to being over-torqued or some such. There appeared to be no collateral damage to the receiver. I cleaned-up the rifle and, on Monday, took it to my dealer. The rifle has a lifetime warranty. Being the nice guy that he is, the dealer/smith exchanged out the carrier for a new one (into which we assembled my bolt and assorted hardware). I think he's going to send the bolt carried back to the manufacturer for their attention.
Now here's my question: Did I simply get a chance to see the rifle's "consumer protection system" (TWO screws on the key instead of ONE) in action or were my son and I in a lot of danger? What if the other screwhead had carried away? I've been looking at the geometry of things and get the feeling that the upper receiver and charging handle would have protected us some from shrapenl but what about a face full of gas? Has anyone heard any stories about this?
Talk about an opportunity to think in terms of the glass being half-empty or half-full! Apparently the Lord was watching over us.
Bobbalouie
The screw head was from one of the two screws which hold the bolt-carrier key in place. It had apparently been sheared off due to being over-torqued or some such. There appeared to be no collateral damage to the receiver. I cleaned-up the rifle and, on Monday, took it to my dealer. The rifle has a lifetime warranty. Being the nice guy that he is, the dealer/smith exchanged out the carrier for a new one (into which we assembled my bolt and assorted hardware). I think he's going to send the bolt carried back to the manufacturer for their attention.
Now here's my question: Did I simply get a chance to see the rifle's "consumer protection system" (TWO screws on the key instead of ONE) in action or were my son and I in a lot of danger? What if the other screwhead had carried away? I've been looking at the geometry of things and get the feeling that the upper receiver and charging handle would have protected us some from shrapenl but what about a face full of gas? Has anyone heard any stories about this?
Talk about an opportunity to think in terms of the glass being half-empty or half-full! Apparently the Lord was watching over us.
Bobbalouie
There was absolutely nothing holding it on. I had to drill a hole and put a screw in it.
I prefer to buy new guns just in case things break. WARRANTY!!!!!!!!!