(*&%^!@! Moment!

[Bailey Guns]

So, yesterday I'm building up a Bushmaster lower receiver with a DPMS M4 rifle kit I just got. I have everything assembled on the lower except the front take-down pin and the hinged trigger guard.

It looked like there was a piece of debris in the rollpin hole at the rear of the trigger guard so I was holding it up to the light so I could see through the hole.

Naturally, I fumbled and dropped it. The receiver fell about a foot and the corner of the trigger guard, right where the hole is for the rear roll-pin, hit the corner of my bench vise...broke the little extension where the roll-pin hole is (the little corner that extends forward just in front of the pistol grip) right off. Bent the other side, too. [Mad]

I'll get a pic and post it up later because this is pretty interesting.

I've broken one other receiver...also a Bushmaster. That one was the upper receiver...with a barrel that was factory installed way too tight. Bushmaster made that one good. This one wasn't their fault so I can't blame them.

But I'm just surprised that a drop from only about a foot would cause that much damage. I guess it hit just right.

Does anyone know if that can be repaired? Anyone want a slightly used, only dropped once Bushmaster lower at a good price? [Muaha]

[Bailey Guns]

I just went to take a photo of the damaged reciever. Turns out, both the trigger guard extensions broke. The one on the left side had cracked and I didn't notice it before. While I was looking at it for the picture I noticed it was cracked and loose and it came off in my hand.

The gouge on the pistol grip is where it hit my vise. I can only guess that this thing, with the extra weight of the assembled parts and stock, plus the fact that the trigger guard wasn't installed so the little corners didn't have any support, hit just right on the corner of the vise causing it to break.

I'm very surprised by the amount of damage. I'm going to try to install a MIAD grip with the integrated trigger guard to see if it's salvageable. There's no other damage that I can find.

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt337/baileyguns/f1506884.jpg

http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt337/baileyguns/0922dcab.jpg

[Mtn.man]

want me to weld it?

[Bailey Guns]

I might. Let me see if the easy fix - the MagPul grip with the integrated trigger guard will work first.

I'll give you a call if that doesn't work.

[Mtn.man]

Okie Dokie..

did my contact buy the Glock?

[Bailey Guns]

We're supposed to do that deal later today.

BTW: Thanks for the offer to weld up that part.

[theGinsue]

Man, that sucks. Let us know how this turns out.

[Marlin]

Use it in winter,, No problem...






[Tooth]

[Bailey Guns]

Actually, I talked to a guy who had the same thing happen. He said he used a MIAD with the integrated trigger guard and it works dandy. So, that's what I'm gonna do. As soon as I get the grip I'll post another photo just in case it happens (hope not) to someone else.

[Irving]

Maybe Bushmaster should change their name to Tarantula.

[Dinosdeuce]

Welding may work. If the receiver is made from 7075, which I think most are, the integrity of the weld will not be sound. 7075 looks really good after welding but becasue of the the compositon of 7075 ( I believe it is too much copper content) it is not a strong fusion. Being it is the trigger guard you may get away with it.

It needs to be 60XX, 11XX0 series or 20XX to get a sound weld.

[hobowh]

that sucks sorry to hear that.

[theGinsue]

Maybe Bushmaster should change their name to Tarantula.

It took me a minute to get what you meant - then I realized that if you drop a tarantula from just a foot up you'll kill it.

[Irving]

Yeah, sorry, that was a little obscure and I wasn't sure who would get it.

[sniper7]

Now you should throw the whole gun down your driveway![Beer]

[Bailey Guns]

Now you should throw the whole gun down your driveway![Beer]

Not likely...probably be a CO-AR15 member waiting to pick it up and run!
[Coffee]

[rhineoshott]

That's awful!!

Probably gave you that sick feeling you get whenever something is suddenly broken right?

I'll buy it off you if that's what you want.

[Tora]

If you don't need the AR right now, I would call Bushmaster and get a receiver replacement. That would not happen like that.

[Bailey Guns]

That's awful!!

Probably gave you that sick feeling you get whenever something is suddenly broken right?

I'll buy it off you if that's what you want.

Yeah...I felt pretty stupid. Oh, well. The receiver is still perfectly usable...just doesn't look pretty and will need some sort of allowance made for the trigger guard.

Apparently, as I'm finding out, this isn't an uncommon problem. Well, breaking both the role pin extension holes off is uncommon...but seems like, from some of the responses I've received from other guys, breaking one of them happens pretty frequently. Mostly while trying to drive the roll pin in, though.

I got your PM and I'll respond this morning re: buying the receiver.


If you don't need the AR right now, I would call Bushmaster and get a receiver replacement.

Well, I've had that receiver stashed in my safe for a couple of years. I doubt it's still under any kind of warranty. And, I can't blame Bushmaster cuz I'm a dumbass.

[Tora]

Well, I've had that receiver stashed in my safe for a couple of years. I doubt it's still under any kind of warranty. And, I can't blame Bushmaster cuz I'm a dumbass.
I would try anyway, I had one replaced that was almost ten years old at the time, and the way it broke I think it was cracked all along.

[Irving]

I have to agree with Tora. Sometimes thing break in ways that just shouldn't happen, regardless of age.

[Bailey Guns]

OK...good news! A connection at Bushmaster (through an acquaintance) told me to return the lower and he thought he could get it replaced. No promises, but he is sending a UPS call tag.

So...I guess it pays to ask.

[Tora]

Any updates?