Hello ladies & gents. I picked up my first & new AR on Friday and I went out to the indoor range Saturday (25 yrd max). I put about 330 rounds through it in about two hours. I started out at 20 feet to get a feel for where it was hitting. I put all my shots in the size of a half dollar. I was amazed at the accuracy of this rifle. I slowly started moving back until I got to 25 yards. After adjusting my red dot a few times, I called it good. I started practicing shooting off hand, unsupported. Except for my Mossberg 590, I've not done much shooting with rifle or pistol in many, many years. So when I shot the following group I was really surprised! This appears to be a tack driver IF I do my part. Oh, BTW I'm originally right handed but due to a right eye problem I now shoot left handed. When I first got it, I broke it down and cleaned it. After reading all the threads on lube on different forums, I decided to try Amsoil 5W-30 and Riggs gun grease that I had laying around. The internals are still nice and "wet" after 330 rounds. The only disappointment I have is the gas key is barely staked and the castle nut is not staked at all. It is S/N: SM 06XXX.



VTAC Padded sling
Universal wire loop
Bushnell TRS-25 Red Dot
Ergo Sure Grip



Max spread: 4.461"
Group width: 1.934"
Group height: 4.516"
Ammo: AE .223 Rem

Welcome aboard!

Do you have a pic of the staking on your gas key? Compose an e-mail regarding your concerns & attach a pic of the gas key staking.

Ease up Guys, this isn't M4carbine now...

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Jack C

Great to see another OR on the board! Love mine and just got my PA 30mm red dot in yesterday. Been shooting with irons from my 15-22 and it's been a very accurate rifle. Need to find some "reasonable" folding irons now.

I am suprized the staking isn't up to par.

Mine was built Nov. of 2010 and is nicely staked. Not being staked is not a problem anyway UNLESS they used red loctight as a substitute like another manufacturer has been known to do.

It actually makes it easier to add a sling point forward of the stock which many people have difficulty breaking the staking to accomplish.

Either I am now confused or possibly you are??

The staking mentioned, I took it as the gas tube on the BCG, and not the pins that hold the front gas block. But perhaps I mis understood.

That said, does the OR front gas block not have the hole to mount a QD sling swivel? The gas black on my 300 whisper does, just surprised me they'd use two different blocks between the two.

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Rod
M&P 22A, 40c, 15A, 15-22

OP said the castle nut was not staked, as well as the gas key. That would make adding a sling point easier.

I would be more concerned about the gas key not being staked. I would contact S&W.

Agree. I don't know what may have changed in production methods or QC but mine (gas key) was properly staked. Sorry if my statement confused. I was thinking of all the complaints about red loctight being used by RRA.

So you all are talking about a sling mount at the back of the lower receiver, got it. I knew I was confused.

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Rod
M&P 22A, 40c, 15A, 15-22

OK, got an updated pic and one of the castle nut and gas key. I also moved the sling just in front of the D ring.

by the way, I also own an ORC, purchased in 2010... my gas key is staked, not sure what barely staked is supposed to mean. I supposed that means it is staked... so really not worthy of complaining about. As for the castle nut not being staked at all.... who says it is supposed to be?.. I have 2 pre-ban Colts and an eagle arms preban, none of the gas blocks are staked anymore than my ORC, nor are any of the castle nuts staked.. haven't seen any of them ever loosen up... My front gas block has the hole and that is where I mounted my sling.

As for contacting S&W... for what, to thank them for building a quality gun... certainly no QC problems I see here..

I take back one statement, I got out the magnifying glass and after seeing your castle nut staked, mine is staked the same on my ORC... looks fiine to me. I can't see any reason for you to say the staking is weak.. on either gas block or castle nut.

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Jack C

****** picture.. but... see the staking...

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Jack C

Chill dude...

This is how it should look

Im no expert but agree with the OP. That gas key is not staked properly. I believe barely staked is a good description. Looks like someone staked it as the 5'oclock whistle was blowing. I'm not home to look at mine but I'm pretty sure it's staked better than that. Easy fix though and probably worth doing yourself vs. sending it back.

I'm sorry, the staking looks great, just because it is overkilled does not make it the example everyone has to follow. Your original picture is absolutely acceptable and that's the bottom line, so maybe you need to chill and stop trying to create an issue where there is none.

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Jack C

You do understand that they do things a little different today than they did in 1994, right? In 1994, Bushmaster and DPMS were considered top tier manufacturers.

The gas key and the castle nut are not staked properly in the pictures the OP posted. I suggested contacting S&W because the build quality is sub par on that particular rifle. If the OP has a staking tool, or is willing to use a punch and hammer, he can fix it himself.

yes, as a matter of fact I do. Do you? The parts are staked properly. Not much else I need to say, nothing sub par that I saw. How do you base your observation and your opinion?

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Jack C

Based upon the picture posted by the OP, there does not appear to be enough metal displaced to keep the hex screws from backing out. The staking on my BCG is much more pronounced.

That looks a little excesive, to the point it appears to have cracked on the lower right.

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Rod
M&P 22A, 40c, 15A, 15-22

Actually by your comments you appear to be the one that has an issue. I came here to show my rifle and ask questions. I did not come here to be berated by you or anyone else. All you have done is question myself and others. At the same time you have not presented anything of what you say. While on a forum you can pretty much say or do anything you want, it would be nice if you had just a tiny bit of patience and tolerance.

Thank you

Ok here is my $.02. The castle nut is supposed to be staked lightly in order to replace the buffer tube which will wear out. If it is staked very heavily then the wrench will brake before it removes the castle nut plus in the case of my sport it is staked in two places. As far as the gas key, if you notice the staking has the side material firmly into the knurling on the bolts. it is staked fine. the pictures posted of the other gas key show to be overstaked and if you should ever have to remove the bolts for whatever reason the material is going to break right below the right rear lower part of the gas key bolt making the gas key unusable. It is very possible to over stake something and the second set of pictures show that fact. all staking is supposed to do is cause a tightness at the shoulder of the bolt, it is not to break the base material. This is my opinion only with just enough knowledge added to be dangerous to myself and the people around me...LOL

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Grover Oathkeeper

I'm not wanting to sound like a dick nor did I intend to berrate you, but you were wrong in my opinion, and then presented an overly staked example as though it was the only correct way to stake it.. you shared your opinion and I shared mine... they happen to be different. Congrats on an awsome gun and sorry if I didn''t welcome you properly.

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Jack C