Hi Guys! -
The last few uppers will go out today or tomorrow.
I want to say thanks to everybody for their patience and help in getting this first batch thru to shipment. It's been a LOT of work but now had become very rewarding getting customer feedback regarding the uppers.
Been swamped the last two weeks so I've had very limited time to offer any help. But thought I'd jump in on the hammer issue.
Here's what I've found,
The original AR-15 hammer is radiused like an M-16 hammer. that works the best, The M-16 hammer is legal and is used by some manufacturers because of decreased cost (Hesse,Vulcan for sure, possibly OLY as well)
If you have an M-16 hammer, you need to grind down the WIDTH of the disconnector catch on the back of the hammer so it will fit thru the slot in the upper. I've had a couple customers report this works fine.
If you have an A2 style "notched" hammer, it WILL work, I've had ONE that stuck the tube, but they do make it stiffer to cycle the bolt.
I have radiused the top notch on several hammers until you can just see the notch. This works the best, it's completely legal, and WILL work with both the .223 and 50 uppers.
As far as the third party triggers, I've not tested any of them as there is a wide variety available. I have the Jard in a couple of my target .223 AR's and really like it. I suspect that the Jard hammer spring will NOT be stiff enough to give reliable ignition, Especially with tough military primers. I don't think you wouuld need to grind the hammer on a Jard though as it lays back further when it's snagged by the trigger.
I have NOT tried or personally used a McCormick in any of my rifles, I think that it would be similar to the Jard though.
Please let me know your experiences RE: third party triggers if you choose to try them.
Next topic - Bolt Catch
Bolt catches are necessary only if you plan on swapping from the .223 to the 50 and back. EVERYBODY that got an upper WILL get a bolt catch at NO CHARGE. ..........But due to the amount of crap I caught RE the shipping date, they will ship later. I am having them investment cast just like the Mil-spec units.
If you HAVE to have one real quick, I have a FEW machined ones available. Please call or E-mail with a good reason (Such as I'm leaving for the sandbox in the AM) and I'll get you one of the hen's teeth. Otherwise expect to see them in about 6 weeks.
BUFFER TUBES - It has also come up that some guys are finding their bolts don't slide very easliy. We have tracked this down to a buffer tube that is either bent, or one that is of a fabricated design that is welded from 3 pieces. I would suggest a replacement buffer tube from Model1sales.com (no affiliation) they are $9 and I've never seen a bent one yet.
The other thing customers are doing are putting a slight radius on the inside corner of the buffer tube with a Dremel tool. I will make a revision on the next batch to put a 15degree taper on the plastic end cap to eliminate this potential problem. If anybody wants this mod done send your stripped bolt tube back to me and I'll do it at no charge.
BUTT PADS,
I've got pad molds made for the ACE ARFX stock, Magpul PRS Stock and the Mil-spec A-2 Stock. The pads will be black and are about 1 1/2" thick silicone. The drasticly reduce felt recoil. The ACE amd Magpul pads include an aluminum back plate, the A2 pad is a slip over.
Please let me know if you want one, they will be the next item on the production line.
Thanks again!
Chris Rosequist
Bohica Arms Corp
(763) 441-2151
(This is posted on THR and ARF.com)