[Click Click Boom]

I was wondring if anyone had damaged the upper reciever by overtighting the barrel bolt? I was reading the Shotgun News article and it mentioned this posibility. I have always had a bad habbit of throwing to much elbow into my tighting. (shade tree mechanic here) That is why I have been real real careful with this rifle. How would you know if you had a damaged upper?

While looking at my upper with the barrel bolt out it appears to have a thread 1/2 of the way down odd shaped (slighty trapazoid?)in three equadistant places. The barrel bolt meets some slight resistance when swapping barrels about half way down. Is this there on purpose? This was like this the very first time I removed the barrel.

 

[subsonic308]

Remember the bolt locks into the barrel extention when rounds are fired. This means the quick change barrel screw only needs to hold the barrel from moving between shots so groups are not all over the place. No need to be the HULK on the screw... just use a standard 1/4" hex and without a cheater bar and you will never break anything. No need to over tighten it..

 

[Click Click Boom]

Again, I have been really gentle.

I was wondering about the slight resistance I get before the screw has made contact with the barrel.

 

[aziator]

I think that may be the Heli-coil running out at the very bottom but don't quote me on that.

 

[subsonic308]

I also think they designed the screw that way to keep it from just comming loose while shooting.. Did i mention that I love this gun!!!

 

[va_plinker]

I'm sure it could easily happen. If at all concerned get a torque driver or follow the directions on RA's site.

 

[shane45]

While on the topic of that bolt, on mine at least, I noticed that the bolt head face is not touching anything. If I look at the rifle from the side, ther is a gap between the face and the reciever it is screwed into. Is it supposed to be that way?

Shane

 

[va_plinker]

yes, that is normal. The bolt threads into the upper and then continues on to press against barrel. The barrel has a small divot milled into it where the bolt hits it to align everything.

 

[shane45]

I figured it was an arrangement designed to bottom out but its always good to be sure. Thanks for the reply.

Shane