General Armalite "fit and finish"

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13 years 1 week ago #9436 by amstel78
General Armalite "fit and finish" was created by amstel78
Hello all, new member here.

I recently picked up a brand new SASS at what I think was a great price. I do have a question though regarding the fit and finish of my particular rifle. I've read many people praising Armalite for their attention to detail and quality of work, so perhaps I'm being too picky. Normally, I don't pay too much attention to cosmetic issues but in this case, I'm having difficulty getting past it for some reason.

On my rifle there's a 2.5" long scratch under the anodizing on the upper receiver and the lower receiver has what appears to be a crack or small inclusion in the junction or corner of the raised area surrounding the mag release button. The scratch on the upper I don't mind but the inclusion on the lower looks as if the aluminum didn't flow correctly and fill the mold or had somehow cracked during the forging process. That too is under the anodizing so it was definitely there during the manufacturing process.

It's hard to describe without pictures. Am I being concerned over nothing? Normally I don't care if scratch or mar my guns because I know I was responsible, but was hoping to get something blemish-free from Armalite from the get go.

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13 years 1 week ago #9437 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Re: General Armalite "fit and finish"
Let me start by saying that I am in no way trying to diminish your issue with this response. with words like crack in your description I know everyone will want pictures, IMHO you will need to contact Armalite about it.
That said your experience reminds me of handling my Ar-10 for the first time. My issues were with the buttplate fit and sharp edges there. I was a little miffed and had concerns about the quality of the rifle. As soon as I started getting rounds down range these worries went away. Customer service made sure I was satisfied and the rifle shoots better all the time, that might be me slowly starting to remember all that training from the 80's but the quality of the build becomes obvious the more shooting I do with it. I think they just spend the time were it matters for accuracy. I'm so confident they will take care of the rifle that I'll trade you right now. I promise my basic flat top will get you 1 moa groups and it is broke in, trade you even up for that SASS;), I won't hold my breath.
All kidding aside, just get on the phone with Armalite, I've never heard of them not making a customer happy.

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13 years 1 week ago #9438 by amstel78
Replied by amstel78 on topic Re: General Armalite "fit and finish"
Thanks for the reply. It's most likely me making a big deal out of nothing. I'm surprised at myself really because I don't usually exhibit any OCD symptoms. Not sure what possessed me to consider this an issue thus I beg the forum's pardon for wasting bandwidth.

Anyway, I took a closer look at the "crack" and it really just seems like the metal didn't mold properly or an inclusion formed during cooling. It's tiny and doesn't in any way impede the weapon's function.

I'm just going to fill it with a bit of flat black paint and move on.

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13 years 1 week ago #9439 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Re: General Armalite "fit and finish"
Honestly, the best fix is burning up several hundred rounds of good ammo, at least it worked for me! I LOVE my Armalite, but that trade offer still stands;)

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13 years 1 week ago #9442 by Charlie
Replied by Charlie on topic Re: General Armalite "fit and finish"

amstel78 wrote: On my rifle there's a 2.5" long scratch under the anodizing on the upper receiver and the lower receiver has what appears to be a crack or small inclusion in the junction or corner of the raised area surrounding the mag release button.


I have two AR-10s, and neither has the slightest blemish. Knowing their attention to detail, I can't imagine that such a thing would leave the shop! Are you sure it's B-New?

Recommend you contact Armalite PDQ to resolve this issue.

Charlie

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13 years 1 week ago #9444 by Akai
Replied by Akai on topic Re: General Armalite "fit and finish"
Same goes here, but these are function rifles not trophy queens :whistle: Mine as far as I've seen them is flawless ;)

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13 years 1 week ago - 13 years 1 week ago #9449 by amstel78
Replied by amstel78 on topic Re: General Armalite "fit and finish"

Charlie wrote:

amstel78 wrote: On my rifle there's a 2.5" long scratch under the anodizing on the upper receiver and the lower receiver has what appears to be a crack or small inclusion in the junction or corner of the raised area surrounding the mag release button.


I have two AR-10s, and neither has the slightest blemish. Knowing their attention to detail, I can't imagine that such a thing would leave the shop! Are you sure it's B-New?

Recommend you contact Armalite PDQ to resolve this issue.

Charlie


Yes, rifle is brand new. I even sent an email to Mr. Tim Rooker over at Armalite and he wrote back saying that these things happen from time to time.

Truth be told, I'm willing to live with it but I'm not happy that a 2300 dollar rifle came to me this way.

ETA: also noticed that there are machining marks on the forward assist housing; it's not perfectly smooth but instead has ripples. I wonder if I got a Friday or a Monday rifle? My serial number is in the 396XXX range.
Last edit: 13 years 1 week ago by amstel78.

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13 years 1 week ago #9450 by Akai
Replied by Akai on topic Re: General Armalite "fit and finish"
MIL SPEC Key words, sorry you got a blemish on yours, I know, bad enough when you do it yorself letalone happening at the factory, but it happens! so they won't do any thing for you? Thought they might do a price reduction or send it back for repair, just a little resanding and reanodize a cheap fix to keep customers happy! Send me a PM and some pix as this is what business I am in, and may be able to help! B)

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13 years 1 week ago - 13 years 1 week ago #9452 by amstel78
Replied by amstel78 on topic Re: General Armalite "fit and finish"

Akai wrote: MIL SPEC Key words, sorry you got a blemish on yours, I know, bad enough when you do it yorself letalone happening at the factory, but it happens! so they won't do any thing for you? Thought they might do a price reduction or send it back for repair, just a little resanding and reanodize a cheap fix to keep customers happy! Send me a PM and some pix as this is what business I am in, and may be able to help! B)


I haven't asked Armalite to do anything because honestly, I'd feel stupid asking them to fix what even I think are superficial, cosmetic issues. That's the practical realist in me talking. On the other hand, another part of me is saying, "I paid $2300 for this??" Even my cheap Olympic Arms looked better out of the box. In fact, none of the guns or gun components I've purchased in the last year have been anything other than perfect. I take that back actually; my Springfield M1A has been back to the factory twice - not for cosmetic issues but for mechanical deficiencies like the barrel being mis-timed.

Back to the SASS though, apart from the cosmetic blems, the rifle's quadrail handguard was also canted. I had to take that off and re-index the barrel nut. The barrel also doesn't sit dead center under the handguards, so some extra rear windage has to be applied to compensate when using back up irons.

Anyway I'll take some photos and upload it tomorrow.
Last edit: 13 years 1 week ago by amstel78.

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13 years 1 week ago #9454 by LebbenB
Replied by LebbenB on topic Re: General Armalite "fit and finish"
Like you, I'm pretty pragmatic about my firearms. A nick here or a blemish there doesn't bother me as long as the rifle/pistol/shotgun functions flawlessly. That said, I realize Armalites aren't cheap and there's an expectation of value for cost. $2300 is a lot of money to most of us in the 53%. I would definitely contact Armalite again and politely request they look at the rifle and refinish it. I'm certain they'll give you satisfaction.

I know your pain vis a vis the M1A. It's why I now have an Armalite.

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