Mk 18

Nothing new, just playing around with the camera under low-light and snapped a few pics of the two Mk18s

Testing out my BCL 102 with Balliatic Advantage 6.5cm barrel

So, I was testing out my BCL 102.  I wasn’t sure if the thing was going to kaboom or not (hence the gloves and the eye pro).

The first time I had the thing out, I had all sorts of problems like FTE, FTF, stove pipes, double feeds and just poor cycling in general.  When my buddy watched from the side, he noted the shell casings would just dribble out, if they ejected at all.

My pal who works at the LGS suggested the rifle was undergassed so I drilled out the gas port from 1/16^th to 5/64^th,

Anyway, I took the rifle out after enlarging the gas port and it still had the same symptoms.  I got home and tried to cycle rounds through it, but I wasn’t even able to extract any rounds by racking the BCG back and forth.  So, I decided to swap out the Midwayusa AR Stoner NiB BCG and threw in a DMPS one I had laying around and I was able to extract and eject rounds just fine.

So, here I was at the range, testing the rifle under live fire and it seems to be cycling fine now.  I shot 4 groups but then the Armalite bolt catch sheared.

I’ve read that Armalite bolt catches have been known to fail, even during the US military’s SASS trials.

Anyway, I installed a filthy commie bolt catch from a Norinco, hopefully they are made of the same steel as their receivers and share the same strength qualities.  I’ve sent Wolverine an e-mail today (7Aug18) regarding the Armalite bolt catch (because I purchased the LPK from them), let’s see what they say.

The groups weren't outstanding, but I'd say they weren't horrible for a semi-auto.  I'd say about 1moa-1.5moa.  The reason I say not great is because I shot .65moa with my buddy's rifle, but the reason could be any number of things.  First, I was more comfortable behind his rifle.  His scope was mounted a bit further forward, resulting in a comfortable view behind the glass.  Second, his rifle had probably seen more than 100 rounds, so his barrel was nicely broken in.  Third, I could just be a really lousy shooter and was just lucky, lol!

Anyway, let's hope the Norinco bolt catch holds up and maybe Wolverine Supplies will have some good news about broken Armalite bolt catches.

Diemaco C8 Surplus upper from S&J Hardware

https://sjhardware.com/products/surplus-diemaco-c8-upper-14-5-barrel-inc-bolt-carrier

These have been out for a while, but I decided to finally jump on the bandwagon.  Unfortunately, my favourite shop for these sort of things, SFRC, was long sold out.  Nordic Marksman has these, but they charge a lot more for them, and the best deal around still was with S&J Hardware.

To tell the truth though, I loathe to deal with S&J Hardware.  When I first got into firearms back in 2012, I had an S&J Hardware free float hand guard for my first AR.  I didn't know a thing about the aftermarket, but I thought it was awesome....until the retaining screws that held it to the barrel nut started to back out.  I lost two during one range trip.  

Anyway, I contacted S&J Hardware and the owner, Simon, responded to my e-mail saying he was going to send a few replacement screws.  I thought wow, that's pretty awesome service, and he didn't really have to do that.  A few weeks go by and nothing, so I contact him again and he said he was busy, but they will be in the mail .....time goes by....nothing.  I contact him every few months and eventually, he just stops responding.  

About a year after my initial contact, the screws show up out of the blue.  

A few years later, I was browsing their website and they had a used shotgun listed.  I didn't think much about my first interaction with the company, so I placed my order and payment was taken.  A few days later, I get an e-mail from S&J Hardware saying that the shotgun I wanted was already sold, and their website is not actually a live representation of what they have in inventory.  WTF.  Ok, whatever, they offer me a $5 voucher for my next purchase, and I forget about it.

Fast forward to July 19th of this year and I'm looking for one of these C8 uppers.  I missed out when SFRC was blowing them out at $600, but I find them on sjhardware.com.  I remember my last experience with them, but I cautiously add to cart but did not finalize the order because I was still sort of on the fence about it.  On July 20th, I get an e-mail from Simon reminding me that I have items in my cart, and there were only two units left.

The website looked updated, so I decided to take a chance and order.  A few days (business days) go by, radio silence.  I decided to e-mail S&J Hardware and don't hear back right away.  OK, I've had better dealings and better comms with people in the EE, but whatever, I'm not at all surprised because it's S&J Hardware.  

July 26th, I get an e-mail from S&J Hardware saying my order is on it's way.  The tracking number on Canada Post indicates the shipper created a shipping label, however the item has not been received by Canada Post.  I love how S&J Hardware's website has a disclaimer on it blaming Canada Post for slow updates:

https://sjhardware.com/pages/shipping-and-order-processing

Canada Post didn't receive the item until July 31st and I finally got the upper on August 6th.  Wait, it's not over.

Looks great right?  Surplus C8 upper, surprisingly great condition....maybe a bit too clean, the receiver anyway.  

There's clearly wear on the charging handle, barrel, hand guard, FSB and flash hider, so how the hell did the receiver stay so clean?

The thing looked practically new.  And what's the deal with the forward assist retaining pin?  Why's it sticking out like that?

Top of the carry handle looked like it was never touched.

The front end looks like it's seen some contact.

I pull out the BCG to look for the "D" mark as promised, however none was to be seen.  Instead, I see an "E" mark.  WTF.

I have no idea how to tell if the charging handle was made by Diemaco, but it has quite a bit of wear compared to the inside of the receiver.  Now, I'm not complaining about the wear because I knew ahead of time when I purchased this that it was a surplus upper and probably beat to hell.  I just found it odd the receiver looked so clean.

That does not look like a Diemaco "D" marked BCG.

I pull out my authentic Diemaco BCG for comparison and I can tell already, these are not the same.  The staking is clearly visible from the side on the Diemaco BCG. 

More visible from the top.

The one that came with the upper says MPC, but the Diemaco one reads MPD 4329.

There was a T scratched into the one that came with the upper.

I'm 99% sure this is a Diemaco FSB, but maybe any experts can chime in here.

The barrel has the "D" mark at least.

The inside of the upper receiver does not appear to be used.

The gas tube even looks new.

So, I'm guessing this upper was cerakoted at one point.  What I'd like to know is if they came like this from the agency that surplussed them, or did S&J Hardware take them apart and do this?

There's the pin again for the forward assist.  Anyway, I'm going to contact S&J Hardware and find out what's going on with my order.  I'm not super concerned about the cerakote job, but I am not at all happy about the BCG they subbed in.

What I have so far for my Blackhawk Down Colt 723 clone.  Interesting read about the Diemaco C8 and it's relation to the Colt 723 here.

Anyway, I sent S&J Hardware an e-mail last night (6Aug18), let's see where this goes.

***UPDATE 9Aug18***

Radio silence from SJ Hardware.  E-mail was sent to accounts@sjhardware.com.  Forward the e-mail to sales@sjhardware.com today, got a reply from Simon indicating he was away until Sunday (12Aug18) and he will address it when he gets back.  He also stated that he did not oversee the sale so he was not sure what happened.

***UPDATE 13Aug18***

E-mail sent to Simon to follow up on issue

**UPDATE 20Aug18***

No reply to previous e-mail, new e-mail sent to Simon to follow up on issue

Streamlight TLR-1 battery cap plastic sheared.

I've had this light for a while, however it hasn't seen a lot of use.  It might come out every few months when I take the Sig to the range, but even then, I don't usually put more than 200 rounds through per visit, and the light is not even usually mounted.

This happened however.  I'm not sure if this is a common occurrence, however I've seen Airsoft lights hold up better than this.  I've contacted Streamlight and have been assigned case number C7455.  Let's see what happens. 

***UPDATE 8Aug18***

Got an e-mail from Lesley in Streamlight's Service Department and they said they will have a replacement tail cap in the mail today, wow, that is amazing service!

Will update this post when it arrives.