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Here's the pics of my Wilson Combat .458 SOCOM upper after firing 10 rounds.
I noticed some silver shining along the edge of the ejection port and scratched at it with my fingernail.
I'm sure the rest would come off in just a few minutes with my fingernail.
Wilson Combat still have not replied to my email.
Attachment 44681Attachment 44683
Yeah, I can't imagine that's right. Maybe the surface wasn't prepped right for the coating?
I sent another message to Wilson Customer Service and they replied asking for pics.
I sent them off - we'll see.
ETA:
Here's their reply:
I replied by restating that the "damage" came from my fingernail, and asking whether the port is anodized or painted.Quote:
David, I spoke with our Rifle gunsmith and he informed me that with the .458 socom being as large of a round as it is that it can actually do that in the situation you are referring to. It is the nature of that round being so large. I believe it is caused by the .458 socom maximizing all the available space in the AR-15 platform. Our gunsmith did recommended turning down the gas block a small amount in order to minimize damage. Be sure to let us know if there is anything else we can help you with. Thank You
Ok, here's the latest reply from Wilson Combat.
Notice, it does not state whether or not I will have to pay for the new coating, but I believe it should be covered by Wilson.
What do yall think I should do?
Quote:
David, If it was a stripped upper that was bought from us it is anodized. We usually suggest going with our armor tuff coating as anodizing can wear with any usage and the Armor tuff has a better resistance to wear. Every coating will wear it just depends on the amount of contact as to how fast it will wear. Anodizing is not as tough as the Armor tuff we offer but, we do offer to have the upper Armor Tuff coated if you would like. Please let us know how you would like to proceed. Thank you
After stating that I have never seen this happen on an upper receiver and asking to have the coating done free of charge, Wilson sent this:
I sent another email to the head of Customer Support restating the issue.Quote:
It is not that it will happen with every type of caliber of upper. It will indefinitely happen on the .458 socom as it is an extremely large caliber for the Ar-15 Platform. I do apologize for the coating issue. We do offer to coat the upper for a charge of $50. Please let us know if this would assist you as I believe the coating is going to wear in this area especially with .458 Socom. Thank You
Side Note: Wilson Combat offers a 10% discount on most of their stuff to LE and Military (active and retired). Had I noticed that (hidden somewhere in their website), I would have used it when ordering $890 worth of .458 SOCOM parts in the first place. Now they want an extra $50 plus shipping to fix a problem they created. I also noticed that they put it in writing that they do not provide a written warranty.
Ugh, sounds like crap from Wilson. If you have it recoated keep it local, I have to think there's a place in COS that can do it right instead of giving more money to Wilson.
Well, I have to give credit to Wilson Combat Customer Service Manager, Tressa Bohannan.
I am indeed 110% satisfied, as their website suggests.Quote:
Tressa Bohannan
3:13 PM (2 minutes ago)
Reply
to me
In order to modify these into .458 we must cut through the hard anodize and then armor tuff the upper. We will refinish it at no cost, however that area will show wear after some use. This is normal wear the ammo will bounce off the port. Please send it back to us for a refinish.
I have also marked your account with the LEO. I have also re-invoiced your orders and refunded your card the 10%. $54.99 on one and $28.99.
Have no idea what there "Armor Tuff" is but since it flaked off with your fingernail.... I have items painted with Duplicolor single stage baked that have had 1000's of rounds bounced off it and it is still there.
If it does it again you buy the material and I will Cerakoat it for free. [Flower]
Good to hear they are making it right with you. Hope it gets fixed right and that they use this lesson to make sure it doesn't happen again.
I think the "Armor Tuff" is probably pretty good stuff. However, they failed to properly prep - according to their own website:Quote:
Originally Posted by jerrymrc
I believe all applied coatings tend to fail on sharp corners and polished surfaces. The first silver nicks I noticed were on the sharp 90 degree edge along the inner top of the ejection port. I was then able to flake it off, and the aluminum underneath appears to be freshly milled, almost polished. I included this information in my return "Thank You" email. I'll wait to see if they follow their own advice the second time around.Quote:
Before a firearm is coated with ARMOR-TUFF® the firearm is thoroughly sand blasted with fine grit media, then carefully dehorned and every surface prepared by hand. Every carbon steel firearm is phosphate parkerized before we apply the final finish to form a bonding surface for ARMOR-TUFF® that increases durability and corrosion resistance.