Has anyone ever had out of spec QD sockets on an AI rifle before?

[Firestarter123]

I slung up my AT and was heading up the stairs when the QD swivel detached and the rifle slid off my shoulder....oh joy.

Puzzled I engaged it again and gave it a tug only to have it come out again.

I figured I could have an out of spec swivel so I grabbed another (I only buy USA made swivels) and it does the same damn thing. It happens with the sockets on both sides of the chassis towards the muzzle, however, the otheer sockets on this rifle and my other AT are all fine. I tested at least half a dozen QD swivels with the same results.

I've always hated QD sockets and this is why. This type of thing didn't happen with HK style swivels of the AE/AW series.

I guess I'll see if MHSA or AINA can get me replacements, however, I'm not sure how that'll go.

 

[Edsel]

Yes.

This was a known issue with some earlier AT rifles (~ 2014).

I discovered the issue with mine probably half a decade after.

Give AINA a call - they’ll ask you to send in the faulty flush cups first, and exchange them for proper ones.

 

[Firestarter123]

Yes.

This was a known issue with some earlier AT rifles (~ 2014).

I discovered the issue with mine probably half a decade after.

Give AINA a call - they’ll ask you to send in the faulty flush cups first, and exchange them for proper ones.

Thanks for the confirmation!

This is a 2014 rifle and I’ve only had it for maybe 18 months now but I guess I haven’t slung it up. I know I gave a tug on the sling when I attached it since I inherently distrust QD swivels but I guess I didn’t do it hard enough.

I’ll send them an email and see what they say. I’ll probably buy an extra set from them while I’m at it.

I wish I didn’t have to learn about it the hard way. It must have been corrected quickly as my 2015 AT is fine.

It’s a sinking feeling when you feel the rifle start sliding off of your back

 

[Edsel]

 

[Edsel]

What a coincidence.

My other (lefty) AT’s a 2015, too

 

[Firestarter123]

What a coincidence.

My other (lefty) AT’s a 2015, too

Nice

 

[Maggot]

It’s a sinking feeling when you feel the rifle start sliding off of your back

Especially when its wearing a $2000 or more scope.

 

[Firestarter123]

Especially when its wearing a $2000 or more scope.

Oh yeah

Everything appears to be okay but I’ll go shoot it soon and verify.

It could have been much worse. Currently I’m only agitated about it happening rather than being pissed.

Hopefully AI makes it right or MHSA has a set they’ll just sell me when I call them on Monday.

I’d really rather just buy a set than deal with AINA.

 

[hafejd30]

I run a rifles only bungee sling on my 2014 AT. Haven’t had an issue with that one but I’ll have to test it more and test my second 2014 AT. Tuning in to see your fix just in case so

 

[Firestarter123]

I run a rifles only bungee sling on my 2014 AT. Haven’t had an issue with that one but I’ll have to test it more and test my second 2014 AT. Tuning in to see your fix just in case so

I’ll be sure to report back what happens. Hopefully AINA replaces them without hassle or at least lets me buy them.

I honestly don’t care which happens as I just want it fixed.

ETA: My serial # is 21127 so if anyone else’s is close to that you may want to check it.

 

[TheOE800]

View attachment 8629953

No fuckin wonder I couldn’t call them. Whomever put the number on the website is dyslexic!

 

[Edsel]

No fuckin wonder I couldn’t call them. Whomever put the number on the website is dyslexic!

View attachment 8630146

Jeez…

That’s no good.

When I called them years ago, they were great - just nice, regular people to talk to.

The most recent call last year just to ask on a few odds and ends?

Got a condescending, snotty twat on the other end.

Ended up getting help and placing an order from a shop in the U.K.

Even Dave Walls himself didn’t behave like that, when I asked him for help on part numbers.

Please let us know how it goes.

 

[Edsel]

I’d really rather just buy a set than deal with AINA.

Treated you poorly in the recent past?

 

[White Mamba]

It could be your QD, there is no spec that everyone uses .
Also check to make sure the bearings dont have rust on them, it will prevent them from sticking out

 

[Edsel]

This is odd - the original thread discussing it on this Forum?

I simply can’t find it.

 

[Firestarter123]

Treated you poorly in the recent past?

They’ve just never been very helpful when I’ve contacted them in the past.

 

[Firestarter123]

It could be your QD, there is no spec that everyone uses .
Also check to make sure the bearings dont have rust on them, it will prevent them from sticking out

I tried a half dozen swivels (added a couple from other manufacturers) between multiple rifles including non-AI’s and the only combination that didn’t work were the 2 front sockets on that specific AT so I’m pretty sure it’s those sockets on that AT which are the issue.

 

[Edsel]

Hm.

Looks like the person I spoke with then was Lance Strahl, who was pretty helpful.

Don’t know if he’s still there.

That was apparently in July 2015, so a maybe a year or so after I bought the first rifle, not half a decade later as I previously stated.

Must’ve forgotten to take my pills.

I don’t know how the URL syntax changed during / after the Scout debacle, but those were the threads covering this issue (and quite a few others, I recall).

 

[Firestarter123]

View attachment 8630203

Hm.

Looks like the person I spoke with then was Lance Strahl, who was pretty helpful.

Don’t know if he’s still there.

That was apparently in July 2015, so a maybe a year or so after I bought the first rifle, not half a decade later as I previously stated.

Must’ve forgotten to take my pills.

I don’t know how the URL syntax changed during / after the Scout debacle, but those were the threads covering this issue.

Thanks for the info!

I’ll see if Lance is still with them on Monday.

 

[Edsel]

Look!

An ancient picher from that eMail!

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

Treated you poorly in the recent past?

AINA has a habit of demanding that you ship in the whole rifle for evaluation even for relatively minor warranty issues.

 

[Edsel]

AINA has a habit of demanding that you ship in the whole rifle for evaluation even for relatively minor warranty issues.

That’s inconsiderate of them…

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

That’s inconsiderate of them…

In all fairness, they typically cover the shipping. But I don't love shipping guns around the country, when it's an issue that you could fix at home if they would just send you the part.

 

[TheOE800]

In all fairness, they typically cover the shipping. But I don't love shipping guns around the country, when it's an issue that you could fix at home if they would just send you the part.

As long as they replace it when it's stolen or lost, it's fine. That said, the insurance on the label I received from them was valued at $0.

 

[hafejd30]

I’ll be sure to report back what happens. Hopefully AINA replaces them without hassle or at least lets me buy them.

I honestly don’t care which happens as I just want it fixed.

ETA: My serial # is 21127 so if anyone else’s is close to that you may want to check it.

Mine are 203** and 208** so mine predate yours

I do recall one sling not working. But I definitely have used my rifles only and a PRS sling on my earliest model without issue

 

[Firestarter123]

As long as they replace it when it's stolen or lost, it's fine. That said, the insurance on the label I received from them was valued at $0.

That’s my concern as well with shipping a rifle to them for no reason.

I’m going to go shooting this afternoon to make sure everything’s good but I don’t see any issues after inspecting the rifle.

I guess if nothing else I have a mill and a lathe and I’m only slightly afraid to use them

 

[Firestarter123]

Rifle seems fine. I did have to adjust the scope .5MIL left though, however, I can’t say that was solely due to the drop.

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

As long as they replace it when it's stolen or lost, it's fine. That said, the insurance on the label I received from them was valued at $0.

Oof.

 

[hlee]

Not AI specifically, but slipping flush cups is why I’ve gone to paraclips and footman’s loops for sling attachments.

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

For the hard use stuff in the field I've gone to paraclips. Had a few close calls with heavy guns.

For matches and some hunting the OBi system has been awesome for carrying the prs rig and tripod in field style matches. The OBi link uses a QD cup, but is essentially semi permanent. No issues with that system, but pretty specialized.

 

[Firestarter123]

AINA nor MHSA have any available so they'll have to be ordered unless MHSA happens to find a set they can borrow from another rifle to get me going earlier.

I guess I'll see how long it takes since this is a warranty order rather than a regular order.

 

[carbonbased]

I’ve had a surprising amount of failures of GrovTec flush cups (male) and adapters. Not in sheer numbers, but in percentages as I don’t use slings very often. Haven’t dropped anything yet, thankfully. Stuff has failed when I vigorously eff with it when testing.

I also own an AT. Do any of you guys have a link to a tutorial on how to swap the flash cups on that to an older style hook? I’ve been looking and failing.

 

[carbonbased]

Maybe this thing would work for the front.

QD Paraclip™ Adapter

Allows use with clip-in attachments

magpul.com

The rear QD socket, I assume, is fine to use with a mash hook or paraclip or wire/paracord.

 

[Nik H]

What a coincidence.

My other (lefty) AT’s a 2015, too

I must be lucky. My 2015 LH AT is fine and so is my 2018 MC

 

[Edsel]

AINA nor MHSA have any available so they'll have to be ordered unless MHSA happens to find a set they can borrow from another rifle to get me going earlier.

I guess I'll see how long it takes since this is a warranty order rather than a regular order.

That’s a bummer.

FWIW, none of my heavy rifles use slimgs…

But I can imagine why you’d need them for PRS games, though.

Use Paracord loops in the meantime.

 

[Edsel]

I must be lucky. My 2015 LH AT is fine and so is my 2018 MC

It was my 2014 AT which was buggy…

 

[Firestarter123]

I’ve had a surprising amount of failures of GrovTec flush cups (male) and adapters. Not in sheer numbers, but in percentages as I don’t use slings very often. Haven’t dropped anything yet, thankfully. Stuff has failed when I vigorously eff with it when testing.

I also own an AT. Do any of you guys have a link to a tutorial on how to swap the flash cups on that to an older style hook? I’ve been looking and failing.

I have probably 30 of the Grovtec swivels and haven’t had an issue with them happily.

I don’t think there is a way to swap to the HK type hook on the AT’s as they don’t mount the same way as the flush cups do.

It could be done but it’d require machining.

 

[Firestarter123]

That’s a bummer.

FWIW, none of my heavy rifles use slimgs…

But I can imagine why you’d need them for PRS games, though.

Use Paracord loops in the meantime.

I’ll probably just grab the spare off of the 2015 AT to use on the 2014 for now since I only use the left side cup for my sling.

I may take the bad one and chuck it up in the lathe after measuring to see if taking a few thousandths off of the cup allows the balls to seat fully in the groove.

 

[Edsel]

It just occurred to me - you can move the good flush cups to the attachments points you use, and the bad ones to where you don’t.

 

[Firestarter123]

It just occurred to me - you can move the good flush cups to the attachments points you use, and the bad ones to where you don’t.

Great minds think alike

 

[carbonbased]

I have probably 30 of the Grovtec swivels and haven’t had an issue with them happily.

I don’t think there is a way to swap to the HK type hook on the AT’s as they don’t mount the same way as the flush cups do.

It could be done but it’d require machining.

Yeah, I’ve got to just be unlucky with the couple of traditional male Grovtec QD units, as you don’t hear of many Grovtec complaints on those. That’s what I tell myself, at least.

Mine didn’t release unexpectedly, but the button-action was janky and less than confidence-inspiring. My 4 or so more other pairs are fine.

However, with GrovTec’s little adapters like these I would strongly advise against them unless you test the ever-luvin’ shit out of them first. Maybe not even then.

https://grovtec.com/products/snap-hook-multi-adaptors
https://grovtec.com/products/multi-adaptor-stud

I had five to six unscrew themselves when I was testing them in a limited rotation base. I think I might be one of the reasons they now only sell them in conjunction with regular bases and now have this warning up on their site:

They were quite surprised when I called them and wanted to see them. They exchanged the units. But I simply do not trust them anymore, and that also bled over to their other stuff…not logical but hard to shake.

The Failure Area:
The part with the hole attaches to the male bit with a tiny screw and some locktite (assuming it was supposed to be red). In mine the factory locktite squirter must have been down for repairs lol.

Too bad it isn’t made as a solid one-piece, if that’s even possible with how a QD like this works. It’s a great idea.

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

Rifle seems fine. I did have to adjust the scope .5MIL left though, however, I can’t say that was solely due to the drop.

Buckle up. Here come the “wEt MoUnT” trible.