Is this abnormal wear and tear?

[SouthBendIN]

These 2 pictures are from inside the upper receiver on my Ar-15. Its got just over 1,000 rounds through it. I was wondering if this wear was normal? The notch on top in the upper left actually chipped away at the finish. I'd say its about 1mm deep.

 

[IndyGunworks]

I am going to say no... its not normal... the discoloration is, but the chipping is not... although i dont know why it would have happened that way.... i would say the gun is still probably still safe to shoot though, and the chip/s wont effect function.

 

[shooter521]

Piston gun or DI?

 

[Oldcoyotedream]

mine don't look that worn?

 

[sporter]

Looks ok.

Might add some grease to your lube line up to reduce wear.

 

[Denny347]

Mine looks like that. It does not look abnormal at all. I bought my Bushmaster new and went right into a week long patrol rifle school where I shot around 1,000 rds. After a long week to break it in I noticed the notch looking the same way. My armorer said it was normal. 4yrs later and more rounds than I can count, it functions perfectly. I would not worry about it. I trust mine with my life everyday.

 

[Biohazard]

"Wear" is normal.
"Chipping" is not normal.

 

[Lock n Load]

"Wear" is normal.
"Chipping" is not normal.

Agreed....

 

[Denny347]

Well, I pulled the rifle out of my car rack and looked inside. My wear/chips looks just like your. My pic isn't as nice since I did not open the rifle up but you get the idea. The wear showed up immediately after I sharted shooting it but it hasn't gotten any worse in the 3,000rds that I've put thru it. No worries.

 

[IndyGunworks]

Well, I pulled the rifle out of my car rack and looked inside. My wear/chips looks just like your. My pic isn't as nice since I did not open the rifle up but you get the idea. The wear showed up immediately after I sharted shooting it but it hasn't gotten any worse in the 3,000rds that I've put thru it. No worries.

a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[pftraining_in]

What does the bolt cam pin look like?

What make is the upper?

It would appear that your gas tube is worn in the same direction as the upper. A possible problem could be an out of spec bolt carrier group (BCG) or bolt causing the bolt to unlock improperly. Another issue could be a loose gas key causing the BCG to wobble, is is properly staked? Out of spec parts could be a third possibility.

 

[SouthBendIN]

Here are the specs on my rifle:

Barrel:
20" Length w/ A2 flash hider (birdcage)
416 Stainless steel heavy barrel
Fluted w/12 custom groove flutes
6 grooves, right-hand 1x8 twist, button rifled

Chamber:
5.56 NATO

Method of Operation:
Gas operated rotating bolt

Bolt & Carrier:
8620 steel bolt carrier, heat treated and plated per Mil Spec
Phosphated steel bolt, heat treated and plated per Mil Spec

Sights:
National Match front sight post.
With four set screws for front sight adjustment

Weight:
Empty – 8.85 lbs.

Length:
39 1/2"

Upper Receiver:
A3 Flattop, Forged
7075-T6 aircraft aluminum alloy
Hard coat anodized per Mil Spec and Teflon® coated black
Dust cover
Shell deflector
Round forward assist
Right hand ejection

Lower Receiver:
Forged 7075-T6 aircraft aluminum alloy
Hard coat anodized per Mil Spec and Teflon® coated black
Two-stage semi-auto trigger group
Aluminum trigger guard
Aluminum magazine release button

Stock:
Standard A2 black Zytel Mil Spec w/ trap door assembly

Handguards:
4-Rail aluminum Free Float Tube
Includes 6 rail covers

_______________________________________

The rifle is completely stock from the factory. So everything above is whats on it now. MK18, I'll check those parts tonight. The chip happened immediately after i started shooting the rifle when it was brand new also. The wear marks underneath the chip are more recent.

 

[wally05]

Chipping is not normal. I'm wondering about the cam pin condition also. Have you checked for an out of spec bcg? During my class, he brought out of spec uppers and bcgs that sat in patrol cars for years without being noticed and they were bad...

 

[pftraining_in]

For comparison here is my RRA upper and BCG that has 5,000 to 6,000 rounds through it.

 

[SouthBendIN]

I'm going to take pics of my bcg when i get home and post them up. How do I check for an out of spec bcg?

My cam pin looks fine. The top of it (flat part) has no knicks or signs of wear. The finished on the rest of it is starting to wear off but theres no chips or knicks on it.

The bolt carrier key looks totally unmolested and perfect. The actual bolt carrier has some wear on it but nothing noticeably wrong (to me anyway).

Thanks for the pics MK18. I'll be posting pics tonight for sure.

I usually run it pretty wet with Hoppes #9 oil. I clean it with Break Free and just used Remington cleaning oil this last time. (walmart doesnt stock break free anymore?)

 

[Denny347]

That is what happens when you have a steel cam pin against an aluminum upper.

 

[pftraining_in]

How do I check for an out of spec bcg?

Colt and now FN hold the true tolerances and specs of all AR components. All other companies have reverse engineered their rifles and have their own specs unless they are a military manufacturer. Exaggerated wear and parts that do not work are the only ways to find out spec parts. Your high end manufactures are your best bet for in spec parts.

 

[Uconas]

i can say clean it, and dont shoot steel

 

[Biohazard]

No pics?

 

[762minigun]

Looks fine to me.. Mine looks like the above pic as well.