AR 556

[daveg.inkc]

I bought an AR 556 last summer. From first firing, I noticed it would not group. I was shooting 5 in @ 100 yds.. I put a new Nikon 223, Burris mounts, Timney trigger. Changed scopes, changed to Nikon mounts. Nothing worked Called Ruger. Called Ruger again. No one from Ruger wanted to talk to me. My Mini 14 shoots well, I can hit a softball @ 300 yds. I was lucky to hit a dinner plate at 50 with this new rifle. Last Thursday, sitting at table with a coffee, found I could twist front sight side to side. Grabbed barrel and twisted it. Called Ruger and told them they shipped a rifle with loose barrel. Lady told me to tighten it myself. I have no wrench for barrel nut, she told me to remove timney trigger or they would charge me to install a milspec. I took it back to dealer, he broke it down and tightened it. No big deal, I guess. I shot 5 in an inch group, twice.

 

[9x19]

Glad you got it figured out.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Could have been worse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXn3AV9vBro

 

[dakota1911]

Glad mine was put together right. Have had it since the fall of 2014 and has been great.

 

[Al James]

Could have been worse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXn3AV9vBro

Does the guy confirm "it seems to be working alright?" right before the barrel falls off? :lol: :lol:

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Does the guy confirm "it seems to be working alright?" right before the barrel falls off? :lol: :lol:

Just before he says, "ya 'all ready?" and after the barrel falls off someone says, "didn't tighten the barrel back up, did ya?"

 

[IslandRuger]

Same situation for me - purchased it and noticed just a little play in the hand guard - I'm new to ARs and didn't think anything of it. Groups were a bit off and it was when I switched a new hand guard on that I saw the barrel nut was totally loose, just held in place by the gas tube. I could have disassembled it and tightened it myself but I thought it's a new rifle, Ruger has good customer service, and they should check it out themselves. Sent it back (with their prepaid label), they tightened the barrel nut but now it won't cycle. Every shot acts like a bolt-action rifle. I've sent two email customer service requests in the last week with no response so I'm calling today to send it back to them again for repair.

I fear that with new factories and a huge ramp-up of production their QC has fallen off, and now their repair work QC as well, perhaps because they're so backed up with returned firearms.

 

[DA_TriggR4Ruger]

Same situation for me - purchased it and noticed just a little play in the hand guard - I'm new to ARs and didn't think anything of it. Groups were a bit off and it was when I switched a new hand guard on that I saw the barrel nut was totally loose, just held in place by the gas tube. I could have disassembled it and tightened it myself but I thought it's a new rifle, Ruger has good customer service, and they should check it out themselves. Sent it back (with their prepaid label), they tightened the barrel nut but now it won't cycle. Every shot acts like a bolt-action rifle. I've sent two email customer service requests in the last week with no response so I'm calling today to send it back to them again for repair.

I fear that with new factories and a huge ramp-up of production their QC has fallen off, and now their repair work QC as well, perhaps because they're so backed up with returned firearms.

Lol I wouldn't doubt it.

 

[DGW1949]

Same situation for me - purchased it and noticed just a little play in the hand guard - I'm new to ARs and didn't think anything of it. Groups were a bit off and it was when I switched a new hand guard on that I saw the barrel nut was totally loose, just held in place by the gas tube. I could have disassembled it and tightened it myself but I thought it's a new rifle, Ruger has good customer service, and they should check it out themselves. Sent it back (with their prepaid label), they tightened the barrel nut but now it won't cycle. Every shot acts like a bolt-action rifle. I've sent two email customer service requests in the last week with no response so I'm calling today to send it back to them again for repair.

I fear that with new factories and a huge ramp-up of production their QC has fallen off, and now their repair work QC as well, perhaps because they're so backed up with returned firearms.

Lol I wouldn't doubt it.

Welcome to Lean Manufacturing.
But hey, their investors are happy and that's what really counts, eh? :lol: .

DGW

 

[Dranrab]

Mine had to go back as well. It has functioned flawlessly and impressively in limited action since I got it back. Ruger really does have QC issues. Their race to sell 2 million guns is contributory I suppose.

 

[Dranrab]

Same situation for me - purchased it and noticed just a little play in the hand guard - I'm new to ARs and didn't think anything of it. Groups were a bit off and it was when I switched a new hand guard on that I saw the barrel nut was totally loose, just held in place by the gas tube. I could have disassembled it and tightened it myself but I thought it's a new rifle, Ruger has good customer service, and they should check it out themselves. Sent it back (with their prepaid label), they tightened the barrel nut but now it won't cycle. Every shot acts like a bolt-action rifle. I've sent two email customer service requests in the last week with no response so I'm calling today to send it back to them again for repair.

I fear that with new factories and a huge ramp-up of production their QC has fallen off, and now their repair work QC as well, perhaps because they're so backed up with returned firearms.

I think you have a gas tube issue. And not the kind you get after bellying up to the Mexican Buffet.

 

[IslandRuger]

I think you're right - it's another situation of "I could fix it faster here but it might cost some money" and "they messed it up they should fix it."

I sent it off yesterday after a nice chat with a telephone CS rep. Still no response to the two online CS requests I've sent over the last week but the phone reps are spot-on.

 

[Busterswoodshop]

Could have been worse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXn3AV9vBro

I have actually seen this happen with a 50 cal. machine gun.
After installing a new barrel it worked fine.
Just an FYI , tighten the barrel before firing.