By the time I tested the thing, I was beyond their 30 day return window that would have allowed a refund. I decided that rather than making an exchange for another piece of junk, I would learn how to install a better barrel, thus making use of the upper receiver and handguard. I also get a BCG and charging handle out of the deal. The BCG falls under a cloud of suspicion (though it works fine) and will get tossed into the bottom of my spare parts box.
The moral of the story is what I am always telling people. Always buy quality. You will save money in the end. Don't let price be the main factor driving any purchasing decision. Take the cheapest price and double it (or multiply by 1.5) and buy something at that price. You will end up happier.
The only silver lining in this dark cloud is the education I get by learning to change barrels (as well as other experience gained). Sort of like buying cheap tires and getting all that practice along the side of the road and putting on the spare. And the muscle building exercise too. Sort of like that.
First (below), we have the muzzle from the $140 Ballistic Advantage barrel I bought to replace the BCA barrel. This barrel has been fired several times.
Next (below), we have the muzzle from a $300 barrel from White Oak Arms. Brand new, never fired.
Both of these quality barrels have a 45 or 60 degree chamfer where the rifling meets the crown. Next is the BCA bargain barrel, which has no such thing.
The BCA junk barrel does have what looks like an 11 degree recessed crown.
The plan is to (with the help of a friend), put the barrel into a lathe and cut a chamfer, probably about the size of the one on the Ballistic Advantage barrel.
We centered up the barrel using his 4 jaw chuck, then used a tool he had to cut a chamfer on the barrel. The following photo shows the result.
The test now will be to shoot it and see what results we get.
Tom's Computer Info / [email protected]