Bent Charging Handle?

[highspeed11]

So I posted this over at http://www.50beowulf.com/ but I figured I may get local peoples thoughts on this. http://www.50beowulf.com/bboard/show...=4348#post4348

Anyone ever experience this on any AR type weapon? I've seen a lot of feed issues but never this.

I went to the range for the first time and noticed the bolt didn't go back with much ooph when I released the charging handle. I didn't think too much of it but, after the second shot. The next round failed to chamber. Since this is CA I wasn't able to drop the mag but I removed the bolt and put some oil on it and the charging handle, then fired the remaining rounds and loaded another mag. Same thing happened.

After two mags I stopped. The range hand even told me I needed to oil the bolt when he pulled the charging handle to the rear. I thought the same but I almost always shot my M4 relatively dry and never had a problem.

Once I got home to clean everything I noticed the charging handle wouldn't slide smoothly in the upper even without the bolt in. I took a look and sure enough, it was bent. I bent it back a little the other way and reinstalled. Sure enough. It works smoothly now.

I also noticed that there are grooves inside the bolt carrier where the trigger passes through. It almost looks like a poor spray paint job. Like running paint. Is that normal for these bolts? Another unrelated issue. The damned cotter pin wouldn't go back in. I tried several times then pounded on it a little and bent it. My fault, but is that normal for a new bolt? I've disassembled/reassembled these rifle plenty of times to know how to do it so I don't think I was doing it incorrectly.

Should I contact AA? I assume it's warranty since this is the first time I fired it even though I've had it for awhile. I hope it's just the charging handle and not the upper since I waited 6+ months for this thing. I love the way it shoots when it does.

Cliff's Notes: I think I got a lemon.

[gn3hz3ku1*]

i dont think a dry bolt will bend your handle.. maybe you just got it a little bent?

[mike452]

I think you got more than a lemon. Who is AA?
Call them up and see if they will replace the handle and the carrier. Sounds like problem with material.

[C.G.]

Sound like you were riding the charging handle. If you have another upper I would try the charging handle from the other upper.

I also noticed that there are grooves inside the bolt carrier where the trigger passes through. It almost looks like a poor spray paint job. Like running paint. Is that normal for these bolts? Another unrelated issue. The damned cotter pin wouldn't go back in. I tried several times then pounded on it a little and bent it. My fault, but is that normal for a new bolt? I've disassembled/reassembled these rifle plenty of times to know how to do it so I don't think I was doing it incorrectly.

Hm, I am not sure I understand this. Are you talking about the cotter pin that holds the firing pin? If so, not a good idea to pound on the cotter pin that holds it, you just have to align it. Pics would certainly help.

[C.G.]

I think you got more than a lemon. Who is AA?
Call them up and see if they will replace the handle and the carrier. Sounds like problem with material.

Alexander Arms. I am sure they would replace it, but from what is written it sounds like an operator error to me.

[-hanko]

I also noticed that there are grooves inside the bolt carrier where the trigger passes through. It almost looks like a poor spray paint job. Like running paint. Is that normal for these bolts? Another unrelated issue. The damned cotter pin wouldn't go back in. I tried several times then pounded on it a little and bent it. My fault, but is that normal for a new bolt? I've disassembled/reassembled these rifle plenty of times to know how to do it so I don't think I was doing it incorrectly.
Bolts are not spray painted.

The 'damned cotter pin' goes in easy when the parts are aligned correctly...download the maintenance manual from arfcom. What you are experencing is not normal for a new or used bolt...use some clp on the bolt and bolt carrier

-hanko

[highspeed11]

This is not my first time with one of these, other than the fact that the caliber is different. That's the reason I asked about the bolt. I know it's not painted. That is how it appears to me. I thought somebody that owned a Beowulf could give me a yes or no?

The cotter pin should not take several minutes to install. A manual is not needed. I put it in a vice and chamfered the edges. Now it will go in allowing me to put everything together. Not that I should fire it.

I do not "ride the charging handle". I just hit the bolt release. I'm not sure how I could have caused it unless the problem is in the lower that I built.