Charging handle install problem

twistedbass · November 20, 2017, 05:33 PM

I hope this ends up being easy. My charging handle is not installing in my upper. I have seen the two tabs on either side that drop down in the upper so that it will hit the groove. I do that, but it will not slide forward.

rickyrick · November 20, 2017, 05:36 PM

Pictures please

langenc · November 20, 2017, 06:30 PM

Turn it over 180.

ed308 · November 20, 2017, 07:18 PM

Another thought, if you can get the charging handle into the track and then it slides forward some but not all the way, it may be hitting the gas tube. Make sure the gas tube is lined up properly.

turtlehead · November 20, 2017, 07:31 PM

Upside down?

michaelc246 · November 20, 2017, 08:58 PM

Is it a personal build or a factory rifle? And yeah post a picture for us...

john in jax · November 20, 2017, 09:14 PM

Try a diff charging handle or two. I did get in a brand new PSA upper last summer that was extremly tight. Seems like the channel had too much parkerizing or something in there. I was able to apply lots of oil and manually strong arm it enough to get it working.

During the first range trip it was a !title sticky if you didn't let the bolt slam home with the full strength of the spring behind it. But after that first trip and a super thorough cleaning after it has run perfectly.

Mobuck · November 21, 2017, 06:52 AM

I have ONE billet upper that simply isn't machined properly requiring the CH be ground to fit the "track".
BTW I don't think it's possible to install the CH upside down.

rickyrick · November 21, 2017, 09:03 AM

A couple of my assemblies, getting the CH in at first was a little tight. Gas tube is a possibility as well, but you wouldn’t be able to get the BCG in either.

twistedbass · November 21, 2017, 11:25 AM

Trying to post a picture, it would help if they allowed pictures larger than a postage stamp. It is a PSA charging handle with a cerakoted aero precision upper. It fits in the slots in the upper but doesn't slide in after that. Not hitting the gas tube, not even getting that far.

twistedbass · November 21, 2017, 11:27 AM

https://photos.app.goo.gl/0pNEUO7zkivX6dzH3

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VxUf2tbsLklBzngv2

G.barnes · November 21, 2017, 11:43 AM

Id try another charging handle. That one may be out of spec.

rickyrick · November 21, 2017, 12:57 PM

Doesn’t go in very far at all. Gas tube not in play anyway.
Probably will have to try another charging handle.
I’ve had a couple that I thought wasn’t going to fit, but they ended up working.

DMK · November 21, 2017, 02:10 PM

Quote:

It is a PSA charging handle with a cerakoted aero precision upper.

My money is on the PSA part being out of spec.

Aero makes good stuff.

Call PSA and they will probably swap that CH for another one. While their parts can be junk, they generally do have good customer service.

ed308 · November 21, 2017, 07:38 PM

Maybe it just the photo, but the charging handle looks wide on the lower side of the channel (at the cut out) in your second photo.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VxUf2tbsLklBzngv2

Mobuck · November 21, 2017, 08:54 PM

"with a cerakoted aero precision upper."

AHA!!! Found your problem!!! Slobbery application of cerakote can/will cause parts interference.

Southrnshooter · November 22, 2017, 01:08 AM

Yea, I think you have a messed up charging handle. I can see a bow in that second picture too that looks to be jamming it in the channel.

Swap out another one and try it.

gshayd · November 22, 2017, 03:38 AM

either the upper is out of spec or the charging handle is. I would call PSA and talk to them about it.

DMK · November 22, 2017, 07:37 AM

Quote:

"with a cerakoted aero precision upper."

AHA!!! Found your problem!!! Slobbery application of cerakote can/will cause parts interference.

I doubt that you would have a problem like that from Aero Precision.

Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes bad eggs get through good QC, but Aero is downright OCD about that stuff.

twistedbass · November 22, 2017, 11:49 AM

It was the charging handle. Purchased a new one and it literally fell into place. Thanks for the help. Build is finished.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/18Y3H55SMn1gP3A32

rickyrick · November 22, 2017, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Everyone makes mistakes and sometimes bad eggs get through good QC, but Aero is downright OCD about that stuff.

darn right! I’ve purchased parts that they call “blemished” and could never find a flaw aside from a surface scratch that was in a place that wasn’t visible after assembly. Probably could’ve been buffed out.

stagpanther · November 22, 2017, 12:24 PM

Well, I'm not a member of the Aero lovefest patrol--I've had all kinds of fitment problems with their AR10 platform stuff.

mellow_c · November 22, 2017, 02:26 PM

In the photo of your completed rifle, it looks like your flip up sights have been installed backwards. . .

Unless that's how you like them.

shaunpain · November 22, 2017, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stagpanther

Well, I'm not a member of the Aero lovefest patrol--I've had all kinds of fitment problems with their AR10 platform stuff.

What kinds of problems? I built up on their DPMS pattern and it was good to go. I had to buy their LPK to ensure no headaches and I was glad I did.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

stagpanther · November 22, 2017, 03:17 PM

The 2 lowers I've bought from them both have erratic line-up with other DPMS style uppers--as well other's LPK's don't always work well with their lowers (which isn't too surprising, but the fit is generally the worst of any xx308 lower I've ever used, at least in terms of fitting other's uppers besides their's).

November 20, 2017, 05:33 PM	#1
twistedbass Junior Member Join Date: February 27, 2015 Posts: 4	Charging handle install problem I hope this ends up being easy. My charging handle is not installing in my upper. I have seen the two tabs on either side that drop down in the upper so that it will hit the groove. I do that, but it will not slide forward.

November 20, 2017, 08:58 PM	#6
michaelc246 Member Join Date: November 8, 2017 Posts: 18	Is it a personal build or a factory rifle? And yeah post a picture for us... __________________ -Michael C. Si vis pacem para bellum http://reddotshooters.com/

November 20, 2017, 09:14 PM	#7
john in jax Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2005 Posts: 1,177	Try a diff charging handle or two. I did get in a brand new PSA upper last summer that was extremly tight. Seems like the channel had too much parkerizing or something in there. I was able to apply lots of oil and manually strong arm it enough to get it working. During the first range trip it was a !title sticky if you didn't let the bolt slam home with the full strength of the spring behind it. But after that first trip and a super thorough cleaning after it has run perfectly. __________________ America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. Claire Wolfe

November 21, 2017, 09:03 AM	#9
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	A couple of my assemblies, getting the CH in at first was a little tight. Gas tube is a possibility as well, but you wouldn’t be able to get the BCG in either. Last edited by rickyrick; November 21, 2017 at 12:58 PM.

November 22, 2017, 12:24 PM	#22
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,774	Well, I'm not a member of the Aero lovefest patrol--I've had all kinds of fitment problems with their AR10 platform stuff. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

November 20, 2017, 05:36 PM	#2
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	Pictures please

November 20, 2017, 06:30 PM	#3
langenc Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2007 Location: Montmorency Co, MI Posts: 1,551	Turn it over 180.

November 20, 2017, 07:18 PM	#4
ed308 Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2016 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,147	Another thought, if you can get the charging handle into the track and then it slides forward some but not all the way, it may be hitting the gas tube. Make sure the gas tube is lined up properly.

November 20, 2017, 07:31 PM	#5
turtlehead Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2015 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,203	Upside down?

November 21, 2017, 06:52 AM	#8
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I have ONE billet upper that simply isn't machined properly requiring the CH be ground to fit the "track". BTW I don't think it's possible to install the CH upside down.

November 21, 2017, 11:25 AM	#10
twistedbass Junior Member Join Date: February 27, 2015 Posts: 4	Trying to post a picture, it would help if they allowed pictures larger than a postage stamp. It is a PSA charging handle with a cerakoted aero precision upper. It fits in the slots in the upper but doesn't slide in after that. Not hitting the gas tube, not even getting that far.

November 21, 2017, 11:27 AM	#11
twistedbass Junior Member Join Date: February 27, 2015 Posts: 4	https://photos.app.goo.gl/0pNEUO7zkivX6dzH3 https://photos.app.goo.gl/VxUf2tbsLklBzngv2

November 21, 2017, 11:43 AM	#12
G.barnes Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2011 Posts: 182	Id try another charging handle. That one may be out of spec.

November 21, 2017, 12:57 PM	#13
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	Doesn’t go in very far at all. Gas tube not in play anyway. Probably will have to try another charging handle. I’ve had a couple that I thought wasn’t going to fit, but they ended up working.

November 21, 2017, 07:38 PM	#15
ed308 Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2016 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,147	Maybe it just the photo, but the charging handle looks wide on the lower side of the channel (at the cut out) in your second photo. https://photos.app.goo.gl/VxUf2tbsLklBzngv2

November 21, 2017, 08:54 PM	#16
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	"with a cerakoted aero precision upper." AHA!!! Found your problem!!! Slobbery application of cerakote can/will cause parts interference.

November 22, 2017, 01:08 AM	#17
Southrnshooter Member Join Date: February 13, 2016 Posts: 18	Yea, I think you have a messed up charging handle. I can see a bow in that second picture too that looks to be jamming it in the channel. Swap out another one and try it.

November 22, 2017, 03:38 AM	#18
gshayd Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 2017 Posts: 123	either the upper is out of spec or the charging handle is. I would call PSA and talk to them about it.

November 22, 2017, 11:49 AM	#20
twistedbass Junior Member Join Date: February 27, 2015 Posts: 4	It was the charging handle. Purchased a new one and it literally fell into place. Thanks for the help. Build is finished. https://photos.app.goo.gl/18Y3H55SMn1gP3A32

November 22, 2017, 02:26 PM	#23
mellow_c Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,862	In the photo of your completed rifle, it looks like your flip up sights have been installed backwards. . . Unless that's how you like them.

November 22, 2017, 03:17 PM	#25
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,774	The 2 lowers I've bought from them both have erratic line-up with other DPMS style uppers--as well other's LPK's don't always work well with their lowers (which isn't too surprising, but the fit is generally the worst of any xx308 lower I've ever used, at least in terms of fitting other's uppers besides their's). __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*