Aero Precision Charging Handle Issues - Help Me Not Be an Idiot

J

jab00

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Minuteman
Nov 1, 2017
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#1
I just put together a 308 Aero Precision upper and I'm running into an issue that I've never experienced before.

Parts:
Aero Precision upper
Aero Precision BCG
Aero Precision Charging handle
Sprinco Orange buffer spring
KAK buffer

The charging handle is extremely hard to unlock and pull back and I'm noticing some wear on the sides and the top of the handle as if its binding. It's also a real b*tch to unlock, taking way more force and effort than I've ever experienced with an AR

I've put some oil on the handle itself and along the top of the receiver which seems to help a little but it still seems to be dragging.

Is this something where I need to let the handle and the receiver wear into each other or could I have twisted the receiver when I was torquing the barrel nut?
 
#3
jet_lagged said:
Should be no more real effort expect for some more spring force than on a .223 AR.

Try and see how it moves without the BCG, and then with the BCG, but without the upper attached to the lower/recoil spring to troubleshoot.
Click to expand...

It seems to move fine on its own with the BCG. The bolt itself is extremely tight so I’m starting to wonder if that may be causing the issue (the lugs resisting and thereby making it harder for the handle to unlock)
 
#5
Does the bolt move freely inside the BCG outside of the upper? I’ve had a similar issue before and the problem was a burr inside the BCG that made the bolt stick. A new carrier was sent to me and the issue was gone.
 
#6
I would advise not to keep shooting the rifle to see if it wears out. Mine had well over 100 rounds and still had the issue. That’s not normal.
 
#7
Unless I'm reading wrong, the OP hasn't fired it yet. He's only assembled everything and is hand cycling it.

OP, what barrel/extension do you have on there? Was is a whole Aero kit with barrel, bolt, etc?

You're dealing with a much more powerful buffer spring I believe. That could be causing your increased effort to cycle the action by hand while the rifle is but together.

Like @aslrookie said, if after you shoot it the issue is still there, contact Aero and see what they recommend.
 
Last edited:
#8
clcustom1911 said:
Unless I'm reading wrong, the OP hasn't fired it yet. He's only assembled everything and is hand cycling it.

OP, what barrel/extension do you have on there? Was is a whole Aero kit with barrel, bolt, etc?

You're dealing with a much more powerful buffer spring I believe. That could be causing your increased effort to cycle the action by hand while the rifle is but together.

Like @aslrookie said, if after you shoot it the issue is still there, contact Aero and see what they recommend.
Click to expand...

You're correct - I haven't had a chance to fire it yet. I just noticed immediately after assembling the upper that it's taking way more effort to unlock and pull the CH than I've ever experienced before in an AR15 or AR10.

The barrel is a factory Aero Precision barrel

I'm hopefully going to be able to get it to the range next weekend if the weather cooperates.

I'm hoping that it'll loosen up after putting some rounds through it but it just seems odd that it's taking so much effort to unlock and pull the CH

I'll post and update once I get it to the range.
 
#9
Roger. Since everything is the same brand (a very good thing) it might just be a really realyyyyy close fit with the bolt cam pin, bolt, barrel extension lugs, and barrel. Lube all those surfaces well and hand cycle about 300-400 times then clean it well, and lightly lube before firing.

You don't need to cycle the action all the way back and forth, just enough to movement unlock the bolt from the barrel extension.
 
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#10
clcustom1911 said:
Roger. Since everything is the same brand (a very good thing) it might just be a really realyyyyy close fit with the bolt cam pin, bolt, barrel extension lugs, and barrel. Lube all those surfaces well and hand cycle about 300-400 times then clean it well, and lightly lube before firing.
Click to expand...

Will do. I’m hoping that it’s just a break-in issue and that the upper didn’t get borked up when I was torquing the barrel nut
 
#12
Check the pics below. Hope this help


7088051
 
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#13
clcustom1911 said:
How much did you torque it? Should have only been 35-45lbs.
Click to expand...

I was aiming for 40lbs but I forgot to lock down my torque wrench so I’m guessing I was around the 60-70+ pound range when I realized that the wrench wasn’t breaking and realized my mistake. I backed the nut off, fixed my wrench and got the click at 40#.

I didn’t go King Kong on the wrench the first attempt but I may have been pushing the 80# range before I realized the issue
 
#17
jab00 said:
It seems to move fine on its own with the BCG. The bolt itself is extremely tight so I’m starting to wonder if that may be causing the issue (the lugs resisting and thereby making it harder for the handle to unlock)
Click to expand...

You stated that the bolt is extremely tight. No properly assembled BCG should be extremely tight. Pull your bolt and look at the gas rings and inside the BC where the rings run.
 
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#18
Maybe its an aero issue. A good frie d of mine has an aero ar-10 that is extremely stiff as well. Seems to be loosening up a little with rounds. Its only fired, 20 rounds tops. Good luck with yours. Interested to see how it goes
 
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#19
DavidAR10 said:
You stated that the bolt is extremely tight. No properly assembled BCG should be extremely tight. Pull your bolt and look at the gas rings and inside the BC where the rings run.
Click to expand...

That was actually my first thought when I encountered the problem. Other than the captured firing pin retainer pin being extremely tight everything looks okay inside the BCG. It’s definitely stiff but there doesn’t seem to be any odd looking wear marks on it after manually cycling the bolt about 100-200 times
 
#20
Warlok813 said:
Maybe its an aero issue. A good frie d of mine has an aero ar-10 that is extremely stiff as well. Seems to be loosening up a little with rounds. Its only fired, 20 rounds tops. Good luck with yours. Interested to see how it goes
Click to expand...

I’ll post an update once I can get it to the range and put some rounds through it. I may also change out the charging handle with something that has larger latches so I can get a better grip on it.

Any suggestions on a CH that’ll work with the aero upper?
 
#24
I had the same problem with my aero 6.5 My piston rings on the bolt were really tight it took a lot of effort to move the bolt in the carrier.I changed out the piston rings and that eliminated half the problem.
 
#26
Finish on the bcg?
Found phosphate finished bcgs from aero need a good cleaning. Had two that were stiff and would not close after cycling. Broke them down and used a degreaser, then applied a little oil upon reassembly. Worked them by hand a bit and then they were gtg next time shooting them.
 
#27
fxdwgkd said:
Finish on the bcg?
Found phosphate finished bcgs from aero need a good cleaning. Had two that were stiff and would not close after cycling. Broke them down and used a degreaser, then applied a little oil upon reassembly. Worked them by hand a bit and then they were gtg next time shooting them.
Click to expand...

I have begun to notice that it seems to loosening up a little after manually cycling the action for the past several days while watching TV. I’ll hopefully get it to the range soon to put some rounds through it and see if it loosens up a little more
 
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