Is something wrong with my new Colt?

[Geneseo1911]

I always wanted an AR-15 style rifle, so on Nov. 10 or so, I went to see my dealer. As luck would have it, he had just received a Colt 6520 govt. carbine. He had a pre-panic price on it, so I wrote the check. After fondling it for a few weeks, I finally got a nice day to shoot it.

The problem is this: To get it to shoot to POA, I had to adjust the windage almost to its extreme setting. Is this at all normal? If I contact Colt, will they fix it for me? I also wonder if there is something I could be doing wrong. Is there any way to adjust the FSB? I'm wondering if it could have been banged hard enough to throw it slightly off center.

Any help you all could offer would be much appreciated.

 

[proven]

this is actually somewhat common among many mfrs. if you contact colt and sent it in, i'm sure they would correct anything that were wrong. one possibility being an improperly torqued bbl. however, if you can get it zeroed, it shouldn't present an issue.

 

[Runningman]

A couple things to look at. Is that an optical illusion or is the FSB forging line offset to the right from vent holes in the hand guards?? Also I noticed the large close range peep hole is flipped up. Did you shoot it with the small peep hole flipped up? Also what range did you sight in at?

 

[anthony-white]

How tight are the groups your shooting and at what range? Its possible you could be pulling the trigger (creates left or right movement) instead of squeezing. Switch to the other aperature (smaller hole) for a little more precision out of those sights. The sight aperature you have now is for low light conditions The part that moves when you adjust the windage will flip down and present the smaller sighting aperature. Theres no movement in the FSB except for elevation. Sight picture? remember to place your face exactly the same every time you shoot. One way to ensure you do this is by touching your nose to the charging handle. If you were already doing those things disreguard; but if you didn't, I would start the rifle at battlesight zero (windage centered, front sight post base level with the gas block, rear settings one click right of 8/3) and try to re-zero the rifle. If that doesnt work, im me and we'll work from there.

 

[Mot45acp]

Just by looking at your picture it appears that your barrel is canted to the right. Was it shooting to the left?
Easy way: Send it back to Colt. If you drop that kind of coin, your dealer should be more than accommodating. If he is not send it via Fed-Ex or UPS, not USPS. Warranty work should be free. I have no experience with Colt's customer service.

Customer service page:
http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/repair.asp

Lifetime Service Agreement:
http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/lifetime_agreement.asp

Contact Info:
http://www.coltsmfg.com/cmci/contact.asp

In my experience this is usually from the notch in the threads of the upper receiver not being center thus canting the entire barrel. Check for marks on your gas tube inside the upper. As this sometimes will cause improper gas tube alignment. The marks will be heavier on one side, instead of even wear.

It is fixable but it involves removing the barrel (which Colts are notoriously hard) and filing (read not dremmel) the notch to alignment. If you have never removed a barrel from an AR I do not recommend doing this on your own the first time. Find a buddy who has done this before.

 

[Geneseo1911]

I'm amazed by the fast response-thanks! I figured I'd just get lots of smart-asses saying "yeah it's an over priced colt..."

To answer some questions posed by posters:
The FSB does look a little offset to the HGs, but I didn't put too much stock in it before as the HGs wiggle somewhat. Is there any chance the FSB could have been moved off center by accident (maybe rifle was dropped?), or are they pretty solid?

I was shooting at 25 yds, and I was using the large aperture. I considered using the smaller ring, but decided they must make them that way for a reason. This of course made my groups less than stellar. I'm not a great shot (I'm planning on going to an Appleseed this Spring), and IIRC I was getting 2-3" groups from a rest. Again, I don't fault the rifle for this as much as myself. It was kinda cold out and I didn't spend as much time on it as I wanted.

I was also thinking about trigger pull. If it was me jerking the rifle, would the POI change as I changed the sights, or would it ALWAYS shoot to the same distance away from my POA? Would it be worthwhile to pick up a "lead sled" to remove myself from the equation? And yes, it was shooting about 6" left when I started.

 

[Mot45acp]

Consistent 6" to the left seems a lil bit steep for jerking the trigger.

 

[proven]

using the large aperture can be a pain for some people. i would read a few articles on marksmanship to help with proper sight picture, form, etc., reset the rear sight for windage (center it) and try again with the smaller aperture.

if you are still 6" left @ 25 yds, i'd send it in.

 

[tasco 74]

i noticed the same thing running man saw... it looks as if the front sight is canted a little... i don't know much about ars so i'll reserve comment... is there a way to (turn?) the front sights on those rifles??

LIFE IS SHORT.....

 

[husker]

i just bought ar15 and the block that hols the rear sight wiggals left to right i can see a hole in the block and it looks like a set pin should be there to prevent this un wanted move ment. it is a colt sporter match h bar 1 7 twist it wont stay zeroed long im sure because of this

 

[proven]

husker, all a2 rear sight blocks have that "play". it's normal. it's under spring pressure which basically returns it to center. minor play won't affect zero, due to the fact it's an aperture sight and is basically blurry during use anyway. are you referring to the hole in the top of the sight block that's hidden when you flip the aperture?

 

[husker]

why does the rear sight block wiggal around on ar 15

i have my first ar 15 and the rear sight block wiggals left two right there is a hole in front of the rear peep that looks like a pressed set pin goes there so the block wont move left to right just up and down gun will not stay zeroed am sure it because of this but im no gun expert any advice would be appreciat any addvice

 

[husker]

yes it looks like a pressed set pin should be there but i did notice that it felt like spring tention was there on the block that made me think thats just how it comes from the factory

 

[proven]

there's a small allen scre in that hole that holds the elevation drum together. your sight should be fine.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

ive had 2 ars that were the same. Send it in the colt and they will correct it.

 

[cracked butt]

The FSB does look a little offset to the HGs, but I didn't put too much stock in it before as the HGs wiggle somewhat. Is there any chance the FSB could have been moved off center by accident (maybe rifle was dropped?), or are they pretty solid?

The FSB is pinned to the barrel- there is no way the FSB is going to move unless it gets bent or the barrel gets bent- and judging by the fact that your handguards are still intact, I don't think you ra the rifle over with your truck.

Send it back. It needs fixing.

 

[ParaElite]

How the heck did it pass inspection?

 

[benEzra]

I'd just get lots of smart-asses saying "yeah it's an over priced colt..."

Not from me. Colts are very well made, in general, and quite highly regarded.

Still, they're made by human beings, after all...

I'm sure they'll stand behind it and fix what needs fixing.

 

[punkndisorderly]

My armalite had the same problem. Mine had a front sight block with a picatinny rail for a detachable sight rather than the standard sight though. Luckily, mine's attached with two allen screws so it was just a matter of losening the allen screws and moving it a bit, then retightening.

I'd think it was just a matter of the front sight block being mounted a few degrees off "true". I know standard sight blocks are pinned, but how it's done I'm not sure. I might call a gunsmith and see how much they would charge to fix it. Might be cheaper than shipping (if Colt doesn't pick it up) and faster.

 

[win71]

I liked this answer

Is that an optical illusion or is the FSB forging line offset to the right from vent holes in the hand guards??

And it looks like that forging line is pretty well lined up with the peep sight.

I had a Garand that was even worse. If I remember right I had the front sight moved to the left and the rear to the right and it was still screwed up. A gunsmith did something to the barrel and took care of 90% of it.

 

[cracked butt]

I'd think it was just a matter of the front sight block being mounted a few degrees off "true". I know standard sight blocks are pinned, but how it's done I'm not sure. I might call a gunsmith and see how much they would charge to fix it. Might be cheaper than shipping (if Colt doesn't pick it up) and faster.

There is a way to fix a barrel with a pinned FSB but it involves filing/peening of the indexing notch in the upper receiver. Its a hit-or-miss proposition and buggers up the upper receiver where if you rebarrel, the new barrel will not index correctly. I would just send it back and have them replace the barrel assembly with one where the FSB is indexed correctly. My Bushmaster wasn't indexed poperly either- it took 7 minutes of windage to zero it- annoyed the heck out of me, but I eventually rebarrelled it myself anyhow.

 

[BIGRETIC]

Wait...wait...But...the ...chart...says...Colts...are the best!

Sorry...COULD NOT RESIST!!!!
FWIW my Bushie had the same problem!

 

[LKB3rd]

Reading your description, it sounded like the front sight was off, and lo and behold in that pic, it does look off to the right.