Precision Firearms- Epic Fail

[Godofallu]

I ordered a custom 6.5 Grendel from Precision Firearms in June. I was quoted 12 weeks wait at time of purchase. Price of Gun with Fluted Bartlein barrel and everything top shelf was over 2,000.

I received the gun in early January. Obviously 12 weeks turned into 28. During this time their phone number wouldn't answer and the voicemail was usually full. Emails just got blown off. It wasn't until I started making noise on social media that they bothered to communicate with me.

So the gun comes in. It missed my birthday and hunting season and Christmas ect ect. But it's in. Gun looks good and hey they threw in an extra mag and a soft case. It's something.

I go to the range and click no bang. Over and over. I make sure mag is seated properly and even try multiple mags. I try really slamming the bolt home and using forward assist each shot. Making sure bolt is closing or as closed as it can be. I try the ammo in a different gun and a second type of ammo. Nothing. Gun does not fire just a click no bang and not really even showing a primer strike. Manual extraction or ejection by running charging handle was wonky as well.

So I call them to complain and they promise to get right on it. A week later and still no reply in writing from them or shipping label.

Personally I would avoid them in the future.

[GregP42]

Is there a firing pin in the bolt carrier?

[Godofallu]

I was actually expecting there not to be. But there is and I don't see anything obviously wrong with the bolt. So I really don't know what is wrong beyond 40 attempts in a row to fire and click no bang. Different rounds each time.

[LR1955]

I was actually expecting there not to be. But there is and I don't see anything obviously wrong with the bolt. So I really don't know what is wrong beyond 40 attempts in a row to fire and click no bang. Different rounds each time.

What did the primers look like? Any indentation from the firing pin?

And you could eject the rounds without any problem?

Nope -- not sure what is up but this certainly doesn't sound right.

LR55

[peak98]

Does it look like the primers are being being struck by the firing pin at all? Do you have another or access to another Grendel BCG to try in the upper? I’ve followed your posts with interest, I can understand why the build time was extended due to Covid/parts sourcing problems as it’s happening in other non firearms markets. Poor communication will piss ANY customer off though, especially if you’re $2k in. I would be very, very disappointed as well, having waited longer than quoted only to receive a custom build that will not fire for whatever the reason... It’s not acceptable but I would expect Precision Firearms to make it right.
That being said, if it were mine, it’d take it to a reputable AR gunsmith and see exactly what the problem is. Might be something very simple and can be shooting in day or so.
peak98

I was actually expecting there not to be. But there is and I don't see anything obviously wrong with the bolt. So I really don't know what is wrong beyond 40 attempts in a row to fire and click no bang. Different rounds each time.

[Klem]

GDF,

Having that second Grendel is helpful. You will be able to quickly narrow it down by swapping parts at the range.

When you say "I try the ammo in a different gun and a second type of ammo. Nothing." I assume you are saying the ammo worked fine in the second Grendel? So, one Grendel works and the other doesn't?

Quick few checks away from the Range.

With the BCG in your hand, push the bolt back into the carrier all the way. When you push the back of the firing pin is it able to protrude past the bolt face and dent a primer?

Insert the BCG into the upper with the charge handle.

With the upper separated from the lower. Turn the upper upside down so you are looking at the underneath of the BCG. Move the BCG back and forth with your fingers (not with the charge handle). It should move freely with just finger pressure. It may be a bit stiff because it's a new gun but still finger pressure will move it.
Check the bolt is rotating as it disappears into battery.
When you push it into battery, Is the back of the BCG absolutely flush with the back of the upper?
Is the firing pin then free to move forward when in battery (push it with your finger - EMPTY CHAMBER, NO AMMO)?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]17460[/ATTACH]

Now, with the upper still separated and upside down manually put a live round into the chamber. Push the charge handle closed to get it out of the way. Now push the BCG with your fingers into battery. It should go all the way home with the live round in the chamber without too much resistance. A little bit at the end as the bolt rotates and the extractor slips over the case rim but nothing requiring anything more than finger pressure.
When fully closed and with a live round in the chamber is the back of the BCG flush with the back of the upper?
Now turn the upper on its side and use your thumb at the ejection port to push the BCG back and extract the case. Again, nothing more than gentle pressure should move it.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]17461[/ATTACH]

At the Range if one Grendel works but the other doesn't you can swap carriers and try that, then disassemble and swap pins and try that. It could also be a weak hammer spring - an easy check by swapping lowers with your second Grendel and fire a few rounds.

These are the tests AA will perform so you may as well do them before sending it back.





.

[Bigs28]

Reloads or factory ammo?

[signguy62]

This post isn't very encouraging. I just placed a barrel order.????

[Bigs28]

This post isn't very encouraging. I just placed a barrel order.????

I have had great success with precision firearms. Every business makes mistakes

[Klem]

This post isn't very encouraging. I just placed a barrel order.????

I wouldn't read too much into it just yet.

This low-post member comes on, slams PF and has gone quiet. Both Bigs and I have asked him specific questions, and we are waiting. You'd think if you were so hard done by and need help that you'd monitor the thread you started?

He might have realised the firing pin was installed behind the retaining pin and forgotten about us. Who knows.

I can understand delays during Covid but not communicating with customers is a recipe for disaster. But to be fair, PF now deserves the right of reply, if they know who this guy is.

[LR1955]

This post isn't very encouraging. I just placed a barrel order.????

sg:

If I wanted a new rifle, I would go with Precision.

The guy posted a very peculiar problem that most who own AR's would solve pretty easily.

We asked him a few questions and he disappeared.

I don't blame him for not wanting to respond to all the questions. Its like a guy is being interrogated by five or ten guys at once.

As for him being on the forum just to target PF, maybe but I think there are other ways that would be more effective.

So, give him a chance to respond if he wants and if not, leave him alone.

LR55

[Godofallu]

Klem I appreciate the response and will try your suggestions when I get a chance. I also posted about this on Reddit and have had many people talk about how they are in the same spot as me. So far not a word in over a week from Precision Firearms.

I work in commercial loans and with round 3 of PPP loans starting I am now working crazy hours. Plus I have an 11 week old puppy which is also taking up a lot of time. I'll get to seeing if I can fix this when I can since it feels like that may be my only option.

[Godofallu]

Ok so I took another look at bolt side by side with my two ar lowers. New gun has the group fit flush when unloaded and seems to slide back and forth and lock. Firing pin does pop out a tiny bit.

Comparing the two side by side I don't see really any obvious difference.

I didn't have the balls to try the live round test in my house.

I suppose I could test that and swapping BCGs or lowers at the range. It could be a weak trigger maybe? Or a bad firing pin? I doubt it though as both seem to function. I do think it has to do with lockup and not fully sealing on the rounds. That's my rookie guess.

[Klem]

God,

You are perfectly safe loading a live round into the chamber at home when the upper and lower are separated. As long as nothing strikes that firing pin with a short sharp shock (hammer) there's no way it can go off. It's also a good thing to build confidence in the gun's safety features and your own ability to not to have a UD.

As for your dealings with PF, that is a separate matter. I am interested to know your story but I never take an online avatar's word for it. Guns attract a lot of egos and anti-social types, both shooters and manufacturers. The firearms industry is not an exemplar for customer service; other industries fare much better. It's always good to hear both sides of the story and not draw immediate conclusions.

In your case you've thrown a pretty damning punch which is likely to damage a retailer's reputation. Now it's PF's turn to defend themselves. If they choose not to dignify this thread with a response we cannot assume it's an admission of guilt. Plus, if you get personal the mods take their safety catches off. We don't want that. Let's at least fix your gun.

[LR1955]

Ok so I took another look at bolt side by side with my two ar lowers. New gun has the group fit flush when unloaded and seems to slide back and forth and lock. Firing pin does pop out a tiny bit.

Comparing the two side by side I don't see really any obvious difference.

I didn't have the balls to try the live round test in my house.

I suppose I could test that and swapping BCGs or lowers at the range. It could be a weak trigger maybe? Or a bad firing pin? I doubt it though as both seem to function. I do think it has to do with lockup and not fully sealing on the rounds. That's my rookie guess.

GoFa:

Not going into battery crossed my mind but you would have experienced much difficulty pulling the bolt back and ejecting the round.

You still haven't said if the primers got hit or not. The first thing a guy does when he has a failure to fire is to inspect the primer for a solid hit by the firing pin.

What did your primers look like?

LR55

[Wheelhorse]

I've dealt with Precision Firearms a couple of times, have been well pleased, and would not hesitate to do business with them again.

[rebby]

Godofallu,
My guess with PF is that they are slammed right now. The entire industry is under an obscene amount of pressure right now. I have a great deal of messages that I'm still working my through, they come in faster than I can reply and we're all running behind. PF has a great reputation and I'm sure that you'll be taken care of.

That said, I'm happy to take a look at the upper for you. Since making changes could impact any warranty you might have with PF, I'm happy to do a simple diagnosis first. Then we can have a quick chat and decide how to proceed. I'm not sure where you're located but I'm in MN so this would likely require that you ship the upper to me. I'm an 07/02 FFL so if you want to send the entire gun, lower included, I can accommodate that as well. I'll do this for you at no cost, as a service to the forum and out of respect for PF. I only ask that you cover the cost of any replacement parts (if necessary and assuming we agree that is the best way to move forward) and return shipping.

Please reach out to me if you'd like me to give this a "once over."

-Curt, Six Sigma Arms

[PrecisionFirearms]

Return Shipping Label Processed today. Ill personally take a look at it when it arrives. I think it strange being that ALL Firearms, Barrels, Uppers are tested with at least 3 rounds before they are shipped. They are tested by a separate person than does the build. I personally still chamber every barrel but I dont assemble or test them anymore. Our second most advanced armorer does the assembly on all complete rifles with over 3 years of experience in standard AR assembly before being advanced to match rifles.

We also refund your shippiing cost if you send it in without a prepaid label.

I have been home exactly 3 nights out of past 5 weeks. Sleeping in the shop, setting the timer for 3 hours so I can reload the CNC machines so they stay running 24 hours a day.

There cant be that many people upset with lead times as we dont have that that many behind schedule. Right now we have about 20 behind the 14 to 16 week lead time issues.

I had COVID along with my whole family in Mid NOV and my energy levels didnt return till gradually in early Jan. I still tire rather more quickly but I also add 2 more people to the workforce. I guess I need to buckle and have one of the other guys start chambering but no one that I have spoken to wants anyone buy me to do the chamber on their barrel.

I guess another thing to do is cut off all orders for a month like we did for bolt rifle. a 2 to 3 month total cutoff.

[PrecisionFirearms]

Actually We decided in talking around the shop that we will just raise prices on all units by 15% to reduce the demand for the time being., WE havent had a price increase in 5 years so its due anyway.

[rebby]

Return Shipping Label Processed today. Ill personally take a look at it when it arrives. I think it strange being that ALL Firearms, Barrels, Uppers are tested with at least 3 rounds before they are shipped. They are tested by a separate person than does the build. I personally still chamber every barrel but I dont assemble or test them anymore. Our second most advanced armorer does the assembly on all complete rifles with over 3 years of experience in standard AR assembly before being advanced to match rifles.

We also refund your shippiing cost if you send it in without a prepaid label.

I have been home exactly 3 nights out of past 5 weeks. Sleeping in the shop, setting the timer for 3 hours so I can reload the CNC machines so they stay running 24 hours a day.

There cant be that many people upset with lead times as we dont have that that many behind schedule. Right now we have about 20 behind the 14 to 16 week lead time issues.

I had COVID along with my whole family in Mid NOV and my energy levels didnt return till gradually in early Jan. I still tire rather more quickly but I also add 2 more people to the workforce. I guess I need to buckle and have one of the other guys start chambering but no one that I have spoken to wants anyone buy me to do the chamber on their barrel.

I guess another thing to do is cut off all orders for a month like we did for bolt rifle. a 2 to 3 month total cutoff.

Glad that you were able to get this sorted out. Exactly as I suspected. Crazy times right now. It's nice to be busy but this is a whole new level.