In the past few months I've had customers bring in "part kit" AR-15s that do not function correctly. So far there have been two main problems, the dust cover not closing or warping, and defective hammers. The dust covers have been made of flimsy metal or the detent not positioned correctly, although one had a bent pin which didn't allow the cover to freely open. The problem with the hammer is that the portion which catches to the sear chips off enough that it won't engage the sear properly. This doesn't lead to full auto as the parts are semi auto in design. It does however let the hammer follow the carrier and not engage the sear to re-cock. The only course is to replace the hammer with a quality one. Customers are getting upset due to the fact they are spending way more money than they thought "building their own" rifle, expecially when I point out other issues like carrier keys not staked down or barrels that are not even marked. When you add a bench fee, parts cost, and test fire ammo costs, there is practically no savings. If a company made quality parts and barrels, they would put their name on it.
I used to see issues with out of spec buffer assembles, usually the wrong spring and buffer weight plunger for barrel length, but never the issues in the O.P. I always advise folks to buy quality parts from known suppliers, follow the instructions to the letter and take their time! Only other issues I see are on the 80% builds, no one has managed to drill the pin holes correctly ( or rather drilled then out undersize and then reamed to final size) and they are always loosing their pins. I see a captured pin set with dog bone, but this is a bandaid for an incorrectly built part by the builder! Other then that, the legos gun is awesome!
I have run into a parts kit carbine buffer spring that the coils were too thick and kept the bolt carrier from retracting far enough to chamber a round. Replacing the buffer spring fixed the problem, although the customer tried shaving down the plastic buffer to make it work before coming in. I suggested he replace the plastic buffer (if he could find only the plastic buffer) but he didn't seem to care as long as it worked.
Has anyone had any problems with the kits that come from PSA. The trouble that I am seeing comes from those that go to gun shows and buys the cheapest parts money can buy. Parts that are made in China.
Seems PSA has stepped up on the quality control,I know of NO recant postings of people whining about PSA other than be prepared to wait as long as 2 weeks for your goods.
I do not think junk parts are just AR's, as EBAY has been flooded with crappy SKS parts for along time. Allot of junk being made and then wont function. I think its a sign of the times there is so much junk nothing is built right, so you have to pay to find quality.
PSA is the primary supplier of parts to FN for their half of the M4 contract. Just stay away from their cheapest line (Freedom) and you should be OK. I get my parts locally from a brick and mortar shop that also builds and stands behind their own work. The one time I lost a spring from one of their kits they gave me two for free.
He did say that. Gas could contribute, but my bux are on a crappy barrel or some other factor related to chamber. IF it functions, odds are the upper is fine.
