Ruger SFAR 20” - Rough Chrome in Carrier

BreechFace

BreechFace

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Just received my Ruger SFAR today, got it home and took it apart to inspect, clean and lube like I always do with a new firearm.

Well, we will see what Ruger decides to do. Ruger really needs to step up their QC game, I shouldn’t have to do it for them as a customer.

Very rough tool marks on the chrome plating (1/3 the way around the internal circumference) in the carrier. Almost like it was unevenly applied and Ruger tried to tool it into spec, heavy chatter and bolt is bolt is rough sliding in and out.

The rough chrome plating will no doubt cause increased wear on the bolt band as well as potential sluggishness and potential failures to run.



IMG_6746.jpeg IMG_6745.jpeg IMG_6743.jpeg
 
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How does the bolt move inside the carrier? Is it smooth or rough?

Has it damaged the bolt?
 
Mk-211 said:
How does the bolt move inside the carrier? Is it smooth or rough?

Has it damaged the bolt?
Click to expand...

It’s rough, increased friction when moving in and out. It appears to have some light scoring on the bolt band. It’s brand new, I haven’t shot it.
 
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On the third picture you can see where it goes from smooth chrome to rough.
 
I would think that the finish machining would be cleaner.

Hopefully Ruger will make good and replace it.
 
Mk-211 said:
I would think that the finish machining would be cleaner.

Hopefully Ruger will make good and replace it.
Click to expand...

I’m sure they will.

They are really starting to get a reputation for lack of QC. And this coming from a big Ruger fan.
 
I'll bet that bore is oval. To me it looks like one cut was made, then somebody else tried to re-chuck it and make another cut.
 
Big Bore 44 said:
I'll bet that bore is oval. To me it looks like one cut was made, then somebody else tried to re-chuck it and make another cut.
Click to expand...

That’s what I think as well. Like it wasn’t machined or chromed correctly and they tried to machine it after the chrome and due to the chrome brinnell hardness chattered their tooling
 
Not even that. I own a lathe, and have operated others. If a part is removed from the chuck then replaced, unless it goes back exactly as it was, right down to the same pressure on the jaws, it will not be centered. The interrupted cut will cause the results you see.
 
Still have not heard back from Ruger. I'm hoping they just send me a new BCG and I don't have to return the whole rifle.
 
@Pat Riot

Thanks for your pictures, that would be the expectation for chrome lining. Mine looks worst in person than the pictures I posted.

How has your SFAR ran so far? Any gassing issues like they've had with their stock regulator?

My plans for mine if Ruger can get me a suitable one, is to put a Rifle Speed gas regulator on it, I shoot suppressed mostly and always wanted to try a Rifle Speed and figured this would be a good AR to try it out on, as Ruger has had some issues with their gassing on these.
 
BreechFace said:
@Pat Riot

Thanks for your pictures, that would be the expectation for chrome lining. Mine looks worst in person than the pictures I posted.

How has your SFAR ran so far? Any gassing issues like they've had with their stock regulator?

My plans for mine if Ruger can get me a suitable one, is to put a Rifle Speed gas regulator on it, I shoot suppressed mostly and always wanted to try a Rifle Speed and figured this would be a good AR to try it out on, as Ruger has had some issues with their gassing on these.
Click to expand...
My SFAR runs just fine now with Service Rifle type ammo. Once I get into higher pressure loads I got some cartridge case head damage where the ejectors bite into the case. That’s not going to be a problem for me as I won’t be running loads beyond service rifle specs.

When I first got my SFAR I had all kinds of problems with gas issues as well as a sticky or too tight of a chamber. I was getting Swiss Saltech cases stuck in the chamber and the bolt was ripping chunks of the rim off. It was under gassed on setting 2 and over gassed on setting 3.
I sent it back to Ruger and they recut the chamber and installed the new modified gas block.

I am happy to say that it now runs like a champ. :cool:

Do I trust it? Not yet, but I am hopeful.
I feel a lot better about it now than I did.

PS: I was going to look into an after market gas block but decided against it. I don’t want to do anything that impacts the warranty. Once I get to where I truly trust the gun then maybe I will fiddle around with it a bit.
 
Something just dawned on me…Ruger also has a 6.5 Creedmoor SFAR. I wonder if anyone is having issues with them?
I haven’t encountered or seen posts by anyone that has one.
 
@Pat Riot

Is your SFAR a 16" model? It seems 90%+ of the problems were in the 16" model, but that was their largest seller of the two barrel lengths so hard to really tell.
 
BreechFace said:
@Pat Riot

Is your SFAR a 16" model? It seems 90%+ of the problems were in the 16" model, but that was their largest seller of the two barrel lengths so hard to really tell.
Click to expand...
Yes, it is the 16”. I bought it with the idea to eventually buy a silencer / suppressor for it. I may or may not do that. Not sure yet.
 
Yeah, my idea for the 20" is really setup for a DMR style rifle, but liked the weight savings that it afforded me for some better/heavier glass, bipod and suppressor.
 
Well, my SFAR is on it's way back to Ruger, see what the turnaround and service looks like.

I presume they would just replace the BCG, headspace check it and send it back.
 
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