I am posting this here simply because it I don't want to exclude people by posting it in General Discussions. This post directly relates to AR's. Please do not start pissing contests with one another causing this to get locked.
So a little back story to this. Several times over the years here I have seen posts where people have purchased "brand x" AR only to have it malfunction or break. It seems that after a brief discussion they want to dick with it themselves or take it to the local "Fuddsmith" so he can trash it further. Let's put this into a context. If you purchased a large screen LED TV from Bestbuy and it wouldn't work when you plugged it in, or it died in 2 days would you simply try and fix it yourself or take it to the local repair store?
I know I wouldn't. I would load it up and take it back to Bestbuy with the expectation that they make it right. On the other hand they can't make it right if I don't tell them about it.
So why would you do this with an AR? Many manufacturers have some type of warranty and if they don't that should have told you something when you bought it. But, they can't fix a problem or their product if no one tells them. Yes, I know that there are some who are content in putting out xxxx type of carbine and could care less what their customers think, but again this is the fault of the buyer for not doing their homework.
I am bringing this up due to a couple of things that happened in the last few weeks. I had a Bravo Company upper receiver that was not mating up properly to some of my lowers as well as the lower for the person whose rifle I was converting to a flat top carbine. I contacted Paul and explained the problem. He replied almost immediately and sent me a new one. Now that is service! He could have blown me off or said deal with it. But, BCM stepped up and did the right thing. I could have easily played with it a little to make it fit, but I shouldn't have to do it.
The other incident involved a friend of mine whom I worked with in Iraq. He recently returned home and wanted to put together some stuff that he had been acquiring over the last several months. He was attempting to put together a lower receiver from Sun Devil Arms here in Arizona. In the process he broke an ear off the trigger guard area while installing a Magpul trigger guard. This was not his first build and I taught him what he knows so I feel confident that he knew what he was doing. He told me that the pins for the guard as well as the bolt catch were very difficult to install and that material was actually shaved from the holes during installation.
He asked me what he should do as he was prepared to just scrap it. I advised him to contact Sun Devil and have them make it right. He sent them an email (he Bcc'd me) and received no response after waiting a week. I then told him to call and speak with a live person. The first time he called he got someone who basically had no clue what they were talking about and then told him to email sales. I told him to call again and ask for warranty/ repairs. On the 2nd call he reached the same person who advised that they were "kind of doing everything" at the moment.
He got the run around and then was told to send the lower and the LPK and they will look at it to determine if it was out of spec or not.
He is still waiting for a repsonse at this time. I personally believe that they could have dealt with this better. They have every right to inspect it, but they should be giving the consumer the benefit of the doubt and offered to replace it.
A few more last thoughts.
1. If you buy a new AR and it isn't working right-return it. Do not dick with it and try and fix it yourself. Make the manufacturer address the issue. If possible send them an email describing in detail what happened and follow it up with a phone call.
2. Do your homework. There is enough information available here to make an informed decision. When certain brand names continue to pop up and not in a good way, that is a CLUE. Set your emotions aside and use reason.
3. If you cannot return the weapon (or whatever it is) then make sure that you seek out competent help. If your local "gunsmith" says he can fix it, find out what his background and experience is.


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