Excessive wear on my new AR? (pics included)

[joe_sun]

Hey guys

Took my new AR out to the range for the first time yesterday. I shot exactly 60rds of wolf 55gr and it functioned flawlessly. I lubed the hell out of it as evidenced by the CLP that was running down the side of the rifle as I was shooting it so this didn't happen because it was run dry.

This is my third AR, I sold the other two. and I don't seem to remember anything like this going on with them.

I'm a little concerned about all the chips that are appearing all over the place but what really bothers me are the huge stripe where the charging handle goes and then about half way up the gas port there is what looks to be more of a gouge where all the finish has worn away. The charging handle itself looks fine.

It just doesn't seem right after only 60 rounds...

What do you guys think?

[Seth Harness]

Was an inspection performed before you shot the gun??
The long "stripe" of bear metal in the top of the receiver, (I believe) could only be from charging the gun or at least actuating the charging handle. I would think some of that was already there. How does the "nub" look on the top of the charging handle??

[BT2012]

What AR do you have and did you inspect your bcg and CH? That's one long shiny metal I see on your upper which is not normal.

[joe_sun]

This is a Franken-AR I put together.

It's a name brand, true milspec upper which I don't want to name right now since I've not contacted them yet.

The following parts are in the upper

LMT BCG
LMT charging handle

I bought everything from Grant at G&R so I know it's not fake stuff.

The charging handle and BCG look fine to me. The CH has a slight wear on the little top nub but it doesn't look anything like the upper.

So I guess I should shoot an email with the pics to the Manf of my upper and ask what they think then?

ETA
I don't think I've "excessively" pulled back on the charging handle since I've built it. Until yesterday I've never even chambered a round. I'm pretty anal about checking my guns to see if they are loaded every time I pick them up so I have pulled back on the charging handle before yesterday but man it's not as if I've been doing it while sitting on the sofa watching TV or anything.

[bkb0000]

that's a bit excessive, but i still wouldnt worry about it so long as the weapon cycles smooth by hand and isn't malfunctioning. upper receivers are actually rarely in-spec- there's a lot of angles and corners and radiuses and parallels to get right in the programming, and nobody ever gets it totally right. so some receivers wear harder in some spots, and yours just happens to be wearing a little harder in it's wear spots.

i suggest continuing to shoot it, watching closely for problems. try different brands of quality GI mags and pmags and different pressure ammo loads just to make sure it's all aces. i'd also recommend switching to a good thick oil instead of CLP- will stay put on those high wear spots better.

[CLHC]

Originally Posted by bkb0000

. . .i. . .wouldnt worry about it so long as the weapon cycles smooth by hand and isn't malfunctioning. upper receivers are actually rarely in-spec- there's a lot of angles and corners and radiuses and parallels to get right in the programming, and nobody ever gets it totally right. so some receivers wear harder in some spots, and yours just happens to be wearing a little harder in it's wear spots.

i suggest continuing to shoot it, watching closely for problems. . .i'd also recommend switching to a good thick oil instead of CLP- will stay put on those high wear spots better.

Which reminds me of mine:

[spamsammich]

This isn't anything I would worry about. Just keep it lubed and shoot the shit out of it as long as it functions fine. I look at the upper and barrel as wear items. Bearing surfaces wear, that's life. If you're really worried, get it refinished in something tougher than the anodized finish. I wouldn't waste money and time on it though.

[BT2012]

Although it is still functioning at this time, but still you ONLY shot 60 rounds through it and it's already showing bare metal. Something is out of spec and especially when you consider how often did you utilized the CH. The CH would be the only thing contacting this area. I would definitely contact LMT and the "undisclosed" manufacturer of the upper receiver.

[bkb0000]

Originally Posted by BT2012

Although it is still functioning at this time, but still you ONLY shot 60 rounds through it and it's already showing bare metal. Something is out of spec and especially when you consider how often did you utilized the CH. The CH would be the only thing contacting this area. I would definitely contact LMT and the "undisclosed" manufacturer of the upper receiver.

the gun isn't going to continue to wear at this rate. once the BCG has cut its path, it'll wear at the same speed as it normally would. the fact that the weapon functions fine is evidence enough that it's not that bad.

[Blankwaffe]

Pretty much all my uppers have the worn spot at the leading edge of the cam pin slot in the upper like in your first picture.Its the carrier just making itself at home like the others have said.Once it clears a ramp/radius on that sharp edge the wear will stop..My new LMT upper did it from cycling the action a few times by hand...I honestly dont know why the manufacturers don't just put a small radius on that area to start with.Would probably save them alot of phone calls.
The picture that CLCH posted of where the cam pin is bearing against the inside edge of the cam pin slot is also normal in my experience.The cam pin is bearing hard against the upper receiver when it reaches that area...its trying to follow its journal in the carrier as the bolt is being forced rearward while trying to chamber the cartridge and rotate into battery.Once it rounds/ramps that area the wear will pretty much stop too.IMHO heavy extractor tension causes this area to peen even more.Thats my amateur opinion anyway.
The wear to the bearing surfaces in the upper that the carrier runs on thats in your second picture,may or may not wear in fast.Depends on how smooth the upper was machined and how tight the carrier fits in the upper.I have seen some uppers wear bright fairly fast and others that dont wear much at all.It could also depend on how well the part was anaodized.Some uppers Ive seen recently had a very thin anodized finish.Most of them were heavily coated in dry film lube too....I think some of the manufacturers are using the dry film lube to mask the thin anodizing in the bearing surfaces.But again,thats my amateur opinion.
The stripe in the top of the upper from the charging handle is pretty normal from what Ive seen.The camera probably makes it look even worse.Could again just be thin anodizing and or tight fit related.Although the finish and anodizing on some of the LMT charging handles I have is pretty darn rough.On one I actually took a very fine hobby file and lightly draw filed the flats to smooth the surface finish some as it was tight,heavily tool marked,and gritty as a result.Again once the parts seat themselves the wear should stop.
If you pay close attention,you may smell a funny burning sulfer smell when hand cycling the upper a few times.If so,thats the friction of the anodized surfaces rubbing together that you have coated in Break Free CLP...pretty much normal and I see folks talking about it all the time.
Otherwise just lube the upper well with a good oil like you have been doing and break it in.
For a CLP I think you would be much better served with Weapon Shield CLP.It has a higher viscosity than Break Free CLP and has much better extreme pressure additives,especially on the steel parts.
The Break Free LP is also a much better lube choice than the Break Free CLP,since the LP's viscosity is higher.Actually the viscosity of the LP is what the original CLP had back in the 1980's.Break Free reduced the viscosity in the CLP to meet low temp requirements.
Regardless for a oil/CLP I'd use the Weapon Shield.Its the best at keeping parts lubed and smooth that Ive used to date...period.
If you want an even heavier lube try some TW25B.Excellent stuff....just kinda pricey.
Sorry for the long ramble.
HTH

[Skintop911]

All normal, and most guns will have it appears to varying degrees.

[Uni-Vibe]

Breakfree LP generously on the bolt carrier, cam pin, gas rings, locking lugs.
Breakfree CLP lightly on the firing pin.
Breakfree CLP everywhere else.

[Skintop911]

Originally Posted by Uni-Vibe

Breakfree LP generously on the bolt carrier, cam pin, gas rings, locking lugs.
Breakfree CLP lightly on the firing pin.
Breakfree CLP everywhere else.

Using a high quality lubricant helps, too.

[SwatDawg15]

I like Slip2000 EWL and Machine Gunners Lube.. both work great. Of corse mobile one does to.

[SiGfever]

Originally Posted by SwatDawg15

I like Slip2000 EWL and Machine Gunners Lube.. both work great. Of corse mobile one does to.

+1 for the EWL, great stuff, stays on longer providing lubrication.

[markm]

Either that upper receiver has a piss poor finish, or the CH is very abrasive. In either case, there's nothing you can really do about it. Just shoot the thing.

CLHC's pic are mild compared to most of my uppers... perfectly normal in my experience.

[joe_sun]

Thanks for the feedback

I'll just shoot it and enjoy it, probably put some RIG grease up there in between the CH and the upper and call it a day.

[mpom]

You do know RIG stands for Rust Inhibiting Grease; not a great lubricant.

Mark

[Avenger29]

Originally Posted by joe_sun

Thanks for the feedback

I'll just shoot it and enjoy it, probably put some RIG grease up there in between the CH and the upper and call it a day.

Save the RIG for long term storage. It ain't made anymore...

[BigPaulie]

Normal my friend. You should see some of the M-4's in my units armsroom. Since we're all shooters the uppers and lowers are all worn and "broken in"similarly.