Inthebushes

I’m no doctor, but if 140 cycles better than 129, I would say 150s would be moving in the right direction. Jump to some 175s and see where they go. I shoot a lot of different weight bullets and they eject all over the place. I usually set my gas to throw around 3 o’clock, but if I change something like bullet, weight, or charge, and it still functions, I don’t worry about it. You might have to give it some more air if you get too light. I usually use one of the little brass catcher thingys, so if the bolt locks back and the bag is full, all is good.

I’m looking forward to your results. I’ve had similar problems with an AP upper and lower. Some of my brass and bullets looked a lot like yours. If it turns out not to be the spring, the Doctors on this site, will figure it out. It could be a combination of things, but hopefully just the spring.

1/2 inch bottom 3/8 inch top to reset

I’ll double check the gas key, but they had the bolt, in hand, for a long time, doing quality control inspection. Im over the problems with this gun. Im still pissed at them for returning it, missing parts. I’ve built a couple more AR308s, not AP, in 243 Win and 308. They function great. I made a spinner target with 3 inch gongs. Most of the time, I can get 5 hits in a row with either gun, at 250 yards. I’ll post a picture of the spinner target tomorrow. I set up a 400 yard target today and shot it with the 308. I was just checking my tables for the load I’m using and it was a big steel target (10x20 inch). I was able to hit in the center. Not a puff of wind today. I’ll hang a 8 inch gong tomorrow and get used to that, then go to 4 inch. We have a friendly tournament here every weekend and I’ve been able to compete, but not win. The other guys are all bolt guns so if I’m close, in my mind, I win. I do appreciate the heads up on the gas key, and I will check it.

Beauty of the ticket communications, everything, time-line and communications, all in writing. The phone calls would be more difficult, but not impossible. I tried to get above the CS department, but got nowhere. I don't think they make a bad product, I just think it could have been handled better. The missing parts is just a pisser, and I have no recourse, but I have plenty of spare parts. I have an attorney looking at everything, I want a refund, but really just tired of dealing with it. I've built 3 other large caliber rifles since the AP rifle, from another manufacturer, and had no issues at all. I'm starting to believe it may have been the bolt (AP) all along, but I'm out of town until Monday and not able to fool with it. Before I left, I assembled the gun with a different bolt, because they kept my bolt, and ran a 6 round function test in the dark. It fired all 6 rounds, didn't destroy the bullets, and didn't put a mark of any kind on the brass. I was really surprised. It would not do this with the AP bolt.

Should have never sent this gun back. Would have been better just to have dropped it in the garbage. The whole process has been a nightmare and has taken months. After Aero Precision asked me to send it to them, I did. I liked the gun and it was functioning fine. When I got it back weeks later, it wouldn't function at all. The customer service was ridiculous. Their communication process is a joke. You start a "ticket", which means you ask a question and they might answer in a couple of days, or a week, or answer part of the question, or not at all. Phone calls were not returned. They wanted to run some function tests, and ask if I would return the upper and lower this time. I returned it again. Same crap on the same ticket, no questions answered as to their function tests. Two weeks later they issued a store credit, minus disassembly charge. So for about $200 more bucks I could get another one. The disassembly charge really pissed me off. No thanks, no more Aero Precision for me. I asked the gun just be sent back, and they did, about 2 weeks later, disassembled, in a bag with several of the lower parts missing. Also, without the bolt carrier group. I asked for the bolt carrier group in writing 3 times over the next 2 weeks, and 1 phone call that was not returned. The bolt came yesterday out of the blue. Aero precision has the worst customer service I have ever had the pleasure to deal with. I have used their stripped lowers and uppers plenty of times and never had an issue. I'm sure most of the M5E1s are good to go but their customer service is horrible, not a problem if you don't need them.

Agree. I just can't seem to get the 308 to group well, but I'm not finished. I have tried the 175 Nosler RFD and the 168 Hornady ELD. The Nosler was a tad better, but essentially the same. Some 150 SSTs have shown the most promise but I really want to be in the 175-78 range. The 243 barrel was bought on a whim because it was on sale and so cheap, but it is an accurate little female dog. The Boss and Junior went to the county fair this evening, so I ran down and ran 5 more just to check it cold. If you throw out the cold barrel shot, this group was better than the other one.

Shooting handloads. RDF is Nosler target bullet acronym for Reduced Drag Factor, I think; not a fan so far but haven't given up. I pulled the 308 barrel and replaced with a 243 Win barrel. I loaded some bulk package 70 grain Speer TNTs, that I usually load for Juniors plinking ammo, at minimum charge 38 Varget, and holy cow.

So I made one change, and this is my first 5 shot group at 250 yards.

PA10 at 250 yards in the hurricane wind today. Ten to 15 mph cross wind. Didn't think I would even hit the paper, I'm not the best shot on a good day. Using 175 RDF at around 2600, 1 click left. Probably not a great group by you guys standards, but for me, I'll take it. I usually just don't shoot if it's windy.

Boot-Scaper this is how the 250 yard target looks. Rained all day in GA today, it was a good day to shoot. The gun still has had no issues. Grouping around 4 inches at 250. I would have posted a target pic, but was to lazy to go out in the rain.

Finally able to get a PA10 upper, but not from PSA. Installed a 20 inch 308 bull barrel, H3 buffer, UTG Pro 17 m-lok, Toolcraft bcg, and SLR adjustable gas block. The lower was all PSA, but for trigger (RRA Varmint), and stock. Lancer L7 10 rd magazine, highly recommend these mags. The hand guard by the way fits perfect. I've seen a lot of questions about what handguards will fit, I'm sure there are many, but these work well, not fancy, not expensive, and made in the good old USA. Did not have any factory ammo, but had loaded 100 rounds of weak seconds bullets just for the break in on this gun. Closed the SLR off, then open 4 clicks, shot the 100 rounds, I was shocked. Not one problem, no signs of wear, 3:00 o'clock ejection, no nothing. Completely different experience than my first attempt with another rifle. All the negative reviews and comments about the PA10, had me worried, but just wasn't the case for me. I didn't really worry about accuracy since I was shooting crap, but it wasn't horrible. I'll load some decent bullets today and work on that, but as far as function goes, PA10 GEN scored 100 out of 100!

My bad, upper and bolt.

AP has asked if they can ship the lower and bolt home for inspection for QC. I'm giving them a thumbs up for good customer service and hope I get it back, or one like it, soon. The gun was really doing well, other than appearance, but probably would have long term issues. I had changed the charging handle, magazine, buffer and spring, and softened the edges on bottom bolt lugs. Would only scratch on the first and last rounds and 100% reliable with several types of ammunition. I would have to reverse engineer to see what really helped with reliability. May have just broken in, and none of the changes mattered.

Cycling the action feels really smooth and precise. I shot the gun today and had no malfunction. Even played around with some 100 grain ELDs, and not one issue. As long as you don't look inside the top of the upper, you would think all is good. I think it has "broken in", it just looks bad. It may get worse, or that might be it. I'm sure the guys at AP have seen this before. I'm wondering why they would be interested in the bolt finish, first?

Chamber is good and ejected brass has no scratches. I always polish the chambers before installing a barrel. This one got a second polish when I had to remove the tiny burr from the chamber neck that was denting cases. Looking at your pictures, I have a problem. Aero CS emailed today asking which bolt I was using, they wanted to know parkerized, black nitride, or nickel boron. They already knew it was AP.

I'm using a 10 round Pmag. I think PSA recommended Pmags for their lowers, so I had picked up a couple. I like the Lancer mags, I'll just have to order a couple. SLR adjustable gas block, everything ejecting to 3:00 or 3:30. Good solid lock back on empty. JP spring. When I got in this afternoon, I removed the bolt and carrier, extended the bolt, and with downward pressure slid it across a new piece of brass. It stuck. There was a small point of metal on the front corner of one of the bottom lugs. I lightly sanded it off and hit the sharp edges on both the lugs contacting the brass. The gun then fired 9 and 10 three times. Not sure if the problem is solved, but a few more rounds will tell the tale. The boss was home, and I didn't won't her to come down to see what I was up to. I don't know about you, but the less my boss knows, the better off I am.

I'm giving it 5 out of 10 stars. Always on rounds 9 and 10, the bolt would pick up 9 as it should, but then dig into the top of 10 and attempt to take it with it. Im guessing that's a double feed and a magazine issue. I did not try another magazine, but I will. Is there anyway to adjust the height of the magazine just a hair? I thought I read somewhere on this forum that adjusting the depth of the mag release button had some small effect, but I don't see how. Other than that, 48 rounds ran perfectly, 12 did not. Anybody ever round down the front edge of the two bottom lugs on a bolt? Im thinking it's the back edges that really matter. I'm thinking this would let the bolt slide over the next round better and reduce the drag marks. I have never had this issue with AR15s. I may have to sacrifice a bolt.

Google search, showed others with similar issues with type coating "paint" on AP uppers. The gun is functioning and I kinda like it. I think I will smoke it up today and see how it likes the heat. Everything feels nice, smooth, and tight with the action. The bolt and the upper are just getting to know each other. I think the bolt is going to be the daddy and mama better make room.

Bolt is nitride. Wear is the same on both sides. Hard to get a good photo with inside light, everything is shiny, but this one looks representative. Looks pretty good to me. Definitely majority of wear is the very back.

This one is Cerakote as well, I checked on their website. I sent a summary and photo to their warranty department.

I'm they same way about running new guns wet. It's been very wet. I run all my guns wet and usually clean them while they are still hot. I think this gun is going to be fine, if it's just the finish wearing off inside the upper. The other issues, I will eventually work out. Since I'm new to this platform, I'm not above asking for advise, it saves money. I appreciate everyone's input, suggestions so far. I'm thick skinned as well, so don't hold back.

Aero Precision upper, lower, bolt and carrier, parts kit (minus trigger), and handguard. BCM charging handle. It's one of the monthly build kits with a camo something, maybe hydro dipped, finish. Could be something else. My wife had bought me a PSA lower for Father's Day, but I don't see getting an upper for it anytime soon; they seem to always be out of stock. I was planning to build 2 AR10s anyway. I already had the barrels, a Creedmoor and 308, so when I saw these on sale, I went ahead and bought one. It's the only AP product I have, but their reputation appears to be a pretty good entry level. Entry level is about what I am and need. There's a lot of the finish inside the upper. That's why I said I hope it's just the paint wearing off, but it's definitely not wearing evenly. I don't really care what it looks like as long as it's reliable. I'll get back to it one day this week. I have a bunch of hay on the ground, so my play time is up in the air, but the little gun seems to be coming around. I say little jokingly, I had no idea these guns were so heavy. I'm use to 7-9 lbs max. I think the barrel on this gun takes care of most of that.

I'm a little concerned about the wear after less than a 100 rounds. The gun has a weird finish, I'm not really sure what it is, I bought it on sale. This is my first AR10. Like you, I have other ARs with many more rounds, that show almost no wear. I'm hoping it's just knocking the paint off in the high spots and will settle down, and be reliable. The groups are 50 yards. I have a 50 yard and 250 yard set up just off my basement. It's just the way it work out with existing dirt banks, and cows, and things. It's a very convenient set up, I can load and shoot from the same spot. Once I settle on a load for the gun, I'll post some 250 yard groups. They should be very similar (you know that is BS). What is considered an acceptable group for these guns at 250 yards?

Greased the shiny spots with bearing grease, polished a bur on the chamber neck, used a 25 round Pmag, and shot this 25 round group with no issues using factory Hornady American Gunner 140 grain.