American Spirit Arms Side Charging Upper Cracked ??? ***UPDATE***

Blitz636

Blitz636

New member
I finally got my barrel for my .223 AR build. I figured I'd do something a little unique and utilize one of American Spirit Arms new side charging uppers. It's a stunningly sweet upper, and I've been geeked to get it together.

I placed the upper, minus the side charging handle in my vise block, and tighted up the DPMS barrel with a Midwest free float nut. I tighted to 32ftlbs and I was just a pinch off of alignment; everything came in great without popping the torque wrench on my last increment (42ftlbs). After a couple trial fits with the BCG I started to reassemble the side charger components, thats when I noticed the crack. The c-channel side track that holds the side charger rail had a crack running half the length of the upper housing on the top mill cut.

I'm curous what I did wrong. I'm gonna get a hold of ASA and see what they have to say, but at this point I don't know what I would've done different...???

ANY IDEAS???
 
Last edited:
Figured it out...

I grabbed up the receiver after I posted and noticed a couple witness marks on the right side of the housing where the forward assist should've been... Some dumb'a$$ (ME) clamped up on the
cursing.gif
housing at the rear instead of over the ejection port... Never thought about it, I always slide a super thin dress sock over the upper to elimate the risk of marring, never thought about it being to far back. When the vise tighted I never though about it... DUMB!!!

Rule number one... TAKE YOUR TIME!!!
cursing.gif
cursing.gif
cursing.gif


MAN I COULD REALLY GO FOR A MILLER HIGH LIFE ABOUT NOW!!!
 
Call Joe up at ASA, he's a good guy. He might take care of you. I like your honesty and not blaming it on a malfunction of the upper. Very admirable in my eyes.
 
Thanks Scott, I sent their customer support an email, proclaming my ignorance
frown.gif
I'll give them a call tomorrow to follow up.

I don't have a problem taking blame for my own ignorant actions, unless it's in response to something that my wife will rub in my face...LoL!
 
All I can say is WOW!!!
The staff at American Spirit Arms has been nothing short of amazing in helping me resolve this issue.

ABSOLUTELY IMPECCABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE

I've yet to try my new side charging upper in the field, but based on aesthetics and the fact that I now know I'll always have Stellar customer service if an issue ever arrises, I'll never build another AR without and ASA upper.

Props to Scott with Specialized Dynamics for incorporating ASA components in his AR builds... Scott you're PMs and assistance were just as helpful as that I received from ASA...

If I wasn't such a DIY kind of guy I know for sure my next AR would be a Specialized Dynamics build with ASA components.
 
I'm glad the boys there took care of you, they're a good company.

As stated in the pms, call anytime you have a question or need something.

Scott
 
Thanks again Scott.

I've got a feeling once my AR is up and rocking against all of the bolt guns here in S.W. Michigan I'll be stirring up some interest; I'll definetly keep Specialized Dynamics in mind if anybodies looking for a good reference.
 
Back
Top