Brand new AR15

[gmay73]

New to the AR15 family. First one I have owned. Was bought brand new today from Palmetto State Armory. I was wondering if the charging handle should look like this new. It also seems gritty when pulling back to charge. Like I said I don't really know as this is the first one I have owned. I don't really remember them being gritty like this for the M4's I have shot in the past while in the military. But still not where near an expert. Any info would be appreciated from you AR connoisseurs. I would rather take care of this now if something is not right. In the photo it might look like it is just worn from charging but it is not. Has a rough feel.

 

[AR-Getsome]

No, it's not supposed to look like that at all. I have a few rifles with Thousands of rounds and doesn't come close to looking like yours. Have you taken down the rifle and inspected it? I'd go back to PSA and show them.

 

[gmay73]

No I haven't taken it apart yet. Its literally hours old. I actually just got off the phone with the maker (they are local) and he said that it just needed to be broken in. Thanks for letting me know. I will take it apart tonight.

 

[TTSH]

That's a pretty funky upper receiver! But no, your charging handle shouldn't look like that.

 

[PR24]

Both my own & 'company' AR's have some dings in the same spot. Just not as pronounced as yours. The non standard receiver may be a factor. However, if it's functioning ok then it may not be a big deal.

The gritty feel? That isn't too unusual in new AR's. Clean the charging handle (especially in the front) where the gas tube is. Lightly oil the shaft etc. Likewise, clean the upper's charging handle channel. You'll use A LOT of Q-tips. If the wear gets worse, then it may be time to change the charging handle all together. The machining on the upper where the handle rests in the cut out is no doubt causing it.

 

[patriotperson]

Looks like they weren't very careful when installing accessories to charging handle. I would say that's the work of a careless Gunsmith. Or lack thereof.

 

[jagular]

I've never seen a PSA rifle like that offered online. I'd also say due to the non-standard upper it might be out of spec or have rough corners from the milling process. Charging handle could also be out of spec ever so slightly and parts are rubbing as they work together. Could be both. What I would watch for is continuing wear in those spots.

If the gun is new it needs a cleaning. That will likely fix the grittiness you are experiencing when charging the rifle.

 

[vortex360]

My charging handle has similar marks in the same area. Push the charging handle forward before you engage the bolt release and chamber a round. The charging handle will slam into the upper receiver if you don't move the handle forward before engaging the bolt release. I believe that is how those marks originate.

 

[gmay73]

Thanks, I got in touch with the company and sent them the same picture. They said it quote " It will wear just a little bit there as it gets broke in but it does not affect the firearm at all brother." I guess I am going to have to start breaking this in and see if this is a problem. They seem to get back to me and are a new company so I am sure that they don't want any bad PR and will fix it if it is. Just frustrating!

 

[Kadonny]

Thanks, I got in touch with the company and sent them the same picture. They said it quote " It will wear just a little bit there as it gets broke in but it does not affect the firearm at all brother." I guess I am going to have to start breaking this in and see if this is a problem. They seem to get back to me and are a new company so I am sure that they don't want any bad PR and will fix it if it is. Just frustrating!

Yeah, I'm still saying it shouldn't look like that. Over many rounds you will see wear on a charging handle, but it's more like paint/finish wearing off not huge metal dings like that. I wouldn't accept that as "breaking in", that bull**** IMO.

 

[scott_0]

the charging handle on my Sport II looked like that, with the two knicks when I bought it brand new

 

[lrrifleman]

I have encountered some charging handles that were made from soft aluminum. One opened up right where the handle meets the BCG gas port. Expect some wear if you allow parts to slam together.

 

[Disabled1]

Yeah, I'm still saying it shouldn't look like that. Over many rounds you will see wear on a charging handle, but it's more like paint/finish wearing off not huge metal dings like that. I wouldn't accept that as "breaking in", that bull**** IMO.

I'm with you on this one! "BREAKING IN", my donkey!
Did you purchase it in person from one of their stores? If so, I would bring it back and tell them to make good on it.
I have built a few AR's from PSA parts and have NEVER seen anything as F worded from them as that!

 

[Kadonny]

I'm with you on this one! "BREAKING IN", my donkey!
Did you purchase it in person from one of their stores? If so, I would bring it back and tell them to make good on it.
I have built a few AR's from PSA parts and have NEVER seen anything as F worded from them as that!

Agreed, the only thing I'll say is the OP has a really funky skeletonized upper received and lower which might not be helping, but still that shouldn't happen.

 

[gmay73]

************UPDATE***************
I did take it back to PSA yesterday to have them take a look at it. The manager was there and said that it was good. He even proceeded to show me other ARs which had the same thing. A lot just looked a little worn, nothing like mine. One, which I have to say, did look almost as bad. He said they were just going to wear like that. The maker of the rifle was even there (coincidentally) and he got him for me to speak with and show him. He said the same thing. I almost felt like an idiot because this is my first AR and really didn't know what else to say or how to argue with him about it. I told him I had posted pictures of this on a forum and had multiple people tell me that this is messed up. Still the answer was that this was just what the rifle was going to do. Its going to wear there.

 

[Kadonny]

So it sounds like the builder is a small time guy whose tooling might not be the best? If his other rifles look and act the same, then he has an issue with his upper receivers. That's my opinion, I just guessing. I own a bunch of uppers from less expensive (Sport) to top notch (Noveske), not one beats up the charging handle that way.

Good news? The charging handle is an easily replaced part that you swap out. Maybe try a different one and see how that one wears? If you are happy with the rest of the rifle then you can always overlook this issue.

 

[KSDeputy]

No I won't say it again, but it is difficult not to.

 

[locolobo56]

Palmetto State Armory has been around for a few years so I would not call them a new company. They have a reputation as a quality manufacturer but as like most AR manufacturers they do not manufacture much. they are mostly an assembler of parts. I have, personally, never seen a charging handle, that was brand new, be marked up like that. If it was mine I would not accept that in a new firearm. It may be ok as to performance wise and may wear in over time, and a may come to be marked up in that area but I have a little less respect for the company if they are trying to pass that off as "OK" for a new firearm.