Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

K

Knobby

Private
Minuteman
May 12, 2012
42
0
63
#1
Was trying to get everything level and kept getting different bubble level readings between the back or the scope base rail to the front.

Just figured out what's wrong. Level is a Starret so I'm pretty sure it's accurate.

P1070108RearBefore.jpg

Back of scope base rail. Back screws tightened. Front screws loose. Bubble centered on back of rail.


P1070109FrontBefore.jpg

Front of scope base rail. Back screws tightened. Front screws loose.
Bubble a touch to the left on front of rail but still pretty much centered.

P1070110FrontAfter-1.jpg

Front of scope base rail after front screws tightened.
Bubble on front of rail now almost off the scale to the left.


P1070111RearAfter.jpg

Back of scope base rail after front screws tightened. Bubble on back of rail still centered.

I think it's pretty obvious that something is wrong here.

The rail is straight until I tighten the front rail screws down at which point it warps. Can't tell if the problem is in the rail or the receiver is not tapped straight or what.
 
#3
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

Just talked to FN. The guy said the reciever is probably drilled wrong and they would have to replace the rifle. Said that would probably take a month.

I've about had it with FN. I bought a FN SLP showgun last fall. The front sight is soldered on canted.

Now this. How hard it is to put a level on the rail before shipping the gun? It would have been obvious the rifle was screwed up.

I trashed the original box the rifle came in and the guy at FN says they can't send me a box.

Anyone know where to buy a cheap boxes for shipping a rifle as long as the A3G?
 
#4
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DirectAssault</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You can bed the rail with JB weld to fix that. Does seem a bit extreme though. </div></div>

Bed the rail with JB weld? How would you do that? Put a dab on under the front of the rail, let it dry and then tighten it down? Wouldn't the JB weld crack out from the recoil?

I just loosened the front screws and I can't see any space at all between the rail and the reciever on either the left or right.

If the front holes in the reciever are off a little maybe it only twists when I tighten it down?

Maybe drill the front holes in the rail out just a touch so it can't pull the front of the rail to one side when its tighten down?

Here's a video I just found on bedding scope rails. This look right?

http://youtu.be/aoW5bHQqgis
 
#5
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

There are instructional videos everywhere on youtube. Its actually pretty simple <object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aoW5bHQqgis"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aoW5bHQqgis" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>
 
#6
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

The JB or some shim stock would fix this, but FN should be held accountable.

I always ship rifles inside a soft case, inside a home made box. Get a refrigerator box from Lowe's/home depot, and make a suitable box. It's easier and more ridgid to make it triangular.
 
#7
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

Yeah i used JB on mine but it wasnt such a bad twist. I dont want to sound condescending or anything but did you get a cheap base? If the base is quality then check the rifle. I wouldnt think FN would make such a mistake but who knows. I wouldnt drill or change anything. If its a problem with the rifle it needs to be fixed.
 
#9
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DirectAssault</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah i used JB on mine but it wasnt such a bad twist. I dont want to sound condescending or anything but did you get a cheap base? If the base is quality then check the rifle. I wouldnt think FN would make such a mistake but who knows. I wouldnt drill or change anything. If its a problem with the rifle it needs to be fixed. </div></div>

The base came came on the rifle. It's made of titanium.
 
#10
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DirectAssault</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah i used JB on mine but it wasnt such a bad twist. I dont want to sound condescending or anything but did you get a cheap base? If the base is quality then check the rifle. I wouldnt think FN would make such a mistake but who knows. I wouldnt drill or change anything. If its a problem with the rifle it needs to be fixed. </div></div>

FN uses, quality NEAR bases on all models except the A3G, which gets a nice Titanium Ops2 base.
 
#11
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

If bedding a scope rail is a common procedure, why wouldn't the guy at FN have told me instead of telling me to send the gun back, that they would probably have to replace it, and I would have to wait a month to get a new one? Looks like I can fix this pretty easily.
 
#13
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

ha <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DirectAssault</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah i used JB on mine but it wasnt such a bad twist. I dont want to sound condescending or anything but did you get a cheap base? If the base is quality then check the rifle. I wouldnt think FN would make such a mistake but who knows. I wouldnt drill or change anything. If its a problem with the rifle it needs to be fixed. </div></div>

FN uses, quality NEAR bases on all models except the A3G, which gets a nice Titanium Ops2 base.</div></div>

I did not know that, thats pretty cool!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Knobby</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A SCAR? Does anyone real buy those? My next gun will be a Larue PredatOBR. I'm almost out of Dillo Dust.</div></div>

I didnt mean buy I meant give! ha ha
 
#14
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

Send it back and wait the month.
If I bought a new rifle of any make, and it has a problem with reciever not drilled right or any other problem that it left the factory with, they are replaceing it, or repairing it.

You can try and bed the base if you want to but, but the fact of the matter is that the original problem is still there.
Don't put a band aid on a problem that they have offered to replace.
 
#15
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Knobby</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Anyone know where to buy a cheap boxes for shipping a rifle as long as the A3G? </div></div>

go to you local hardware store a ask them if they have any left over florescent bulb packaging boxes. their usually the right dimension just a but too thin so get two and make a box custom out of it.
 
#16
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

I guess after watching that video, it sounds like this might just be something you have to do if you want the scope base perfectly straight?

FN obviously dosen't bed the scope bases.

My dilema here is this. I got a A3G with a .293 MOA factory test target. That's better than average.

If I send the gun back, they may just go into the warehouse, put a level on the rails of a few A3G's and send me one with a level rail that shoots .48 MOA.

If I bed the rail on mine, I'll have an A3G with a level rail that shoots .293
 
#17
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

Would you give full disclosure in a for sale ad? Id hope so.

If so, would you rather sell a G2G .4" rifle, or an epoxy-fixed .25" rifle?

Would he difference between a .25 and .4 rifle make an appreciable difference for your needs?
 
#19
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

Knobby,

You really should send it back. Don't let finding a box to ship in hold you up from having the rifle you want. Give FNH Customer Service a chance to make it right.

Sure, you may get a new rifle that shoots .400" in place of the rifle you had with a .293", you may also get one that shot a .150". They may also determine it is the rail and you may get the same rifle back.

For what its worth, the factory test group proves the rifle is capable of 1/2 MOA accuracy. It is not the limit of what the rifle can do. The technicians on the range do not shoot repeated groups through a rifle to see what its limit is. The technician shoots four, 3 shot groups, averages the groups and ships the best group with the rifle. The best group, the worst group and the average are all considered when evaluating the rifles accuracy potential. It is done with factory Federal 168 gr GM Match.

I have in my inventory numerous SPRs. I have been able to beat every test group shipped with the rifle everytime on my first trip to the range with the rifle, with the same type of ammo. Not that the shooters at the plant can't shoot, they just have a rack of them to do, so they get it done. Its not saying that I can out shoot them, either. I can take my time, relax and concentrate. They have a ton of other rifles to get done that day as well. The test target is not the end-all be-all of the rifles ultimate capability.

Hope this helps with your decision.
 
#20
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

Put a straight edge across the front and back bridges and you will see the problem. The bridges are most likely neither constant in height nor radius.

When putting my SPR together I noted this and shimmmed the base on the rear bridge because I wanted to get out and shoot it. The gun shoots so well I haven't been inclined to do it correctly and bed it (or I'm too lazy).

I think you're right that is more common than not. I'd get a statement from FN that it will not affect your warranty (it shouldn't) and go ahead and bed the base. An added benefit is it will prevent rust starting under the base. My base is a Seekins and I'm sure the alignment problem was not related to the base.


Edit. Ben's post beat mine and I would not presume to question his advice regarding FN products.









 
#21
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Knobby</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just talked to FN. The guy said the reciever is probably drilled wrong and they would have to replace the rifle. Said that would probably take a month.

I've about had it with FN. I bought a FN SLP showgun last fall. The front sight is soldered on canted.

Now this. How hard it is to put a level on the rail before shipping the gun? It would have been obvious the rifle was screwed up.
</div></div>
First I understand your frustration. It sucks to get not one but two brand new (I assume) guns with defects. The truth is that the best QC misses a few. You got ahold of two in a row, bummer but not the end of the world.
Second the company has agreed to make it right, that takes time. I assume you find a brand new A3G a more suitable response than to JB Weld it from the company that made it.? Because if I paid what that rifle costs, had your issue, and a rep told me to bed the rail to fix it I'd be a hell of a lot more concerned than of he told me I would get a brand new one but that it would take a month.
 
#22
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

I got a caliper and checked the mounting holes in the reciever and they don't look off to me.

When I eyeball the base however, it looks like it's cut a little off center to one side on the front?

I think the base is bad.

Just ordered a Badger scope base. It's worth $150 for me to not have to send the rifle in and wait another month or more sending it back to FN.

If the Badger base is true, then I'll send the FN base back to FN
and tell them to send me a new base.
 
#25
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

Update... So I buy a new $150 Badger Ordinance rail in the hopes that the FN rail was the problem and I could avoid waiting another 4-6 weeks or more getting to shoot my new rifle.

Just finished trying the Badger Ordinance rail and no difference. It's level until you tighten it down then it whichever end you tighten down last warps way out of level. Looks like it's the reciever.

How can FN sell a rifle for close to $3000.00 and not even put a level on the rail to see if the rail is level left to right.

What would that take? 15 seconds? I'm so pissed I could scream. At this point I don't even know if I want to waste time sending it back to FN. Any company that has QC this bad I don't know if I could trust anything they would send me back.

I'm tempted to just dump the gun for whatever I get for it at a local pawn shop and just wait for a Larue PredatOBR this fall.


 
#26
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

I wouldn't dump it off on someone else, FN actually as good customer service and they will fix it.

Now, if it put a bad taste in your mouth, I would at least let them fix it, then sell it.
 
#27
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

Update... After I cooled down a little I decided to try and bed the rail. Looks easy enough based on the youtube video.

I had noticed that the rail was level on both ends with the screws tight on either end as long as the screws were not tighten down on the opposite end.

This was good, because this meant I could bed the rear of the rail which is what the video showed.

I also noticed that with the front screws tightened down I could press hard on the left or right of the back of the rail and cause the level bubble to deflect to either side. You noticed you only have to deflect the rail a hair to cause the bubble to go all the way to the side from center.

So I smeared a lite coat of re-loading case anti-seize wax on the reciever, put play-doh in the screw holes, put a thin layer of JB Weld on the rear of the rail where it mounts onto the reciever.

By thin, I would say about the thickness of a butter knife blade.

I put the rail in place and put the front screws in and tightened them down snuggly. JB weld squeezed out around all 4 edges of the rear of the rail where it touches the reciever.

I wiped the excess off with a Q-Tip wet with WD40. I let it dry for about 3 hours, took the front screws out and popped the rail off and cleaned up the rear screw holes by hand with a drill bit. The JB weld was about as hard as a crayon, maybe a little harder at that point.

Put the rail back on, put the front screws back in, tightened them and checked for level again. Still good. Let it dry over night.

Took it out the safe about 20 minutes ago, put the rear screws in and tightened them down tight. Still good.

Can't really see any visible layer of JB weld at the contact point between the rail and reciever on either side of the rail. The JB weld layer must be pretty thin. No more than the thickness of a piece of paper.

Assuming the JB weld holds, I think I should be good.
 
#29
Re: Just found out my new FN A3G is messed up

Im glad all is well. That's a bad ass rifle imo.
I can't tell ya how happy I am with my TSR XP
I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I
had your rifle lol........
 
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