I got my new upper half yesterday... and got burned
This kit was ordered back in December 08 from akpartskits.com. The company name on the website is Blackthorne but the email correspondence comes from Vulcan Arms. It took 6 months to get it, but everyone was backordered at the time so in comparison that wasn't much worse than anyone else. I have ordered other bits and pieces from them before without issue, and the service is ok for a busy shop, but for the important stuff, read on.
The price was great for what you are supposed to get. I ordered an A3 flat top carbine upper, 1:9 chrome lined barrel, standard BCG and charging handle, and 6 position stock all for roughly $439.
Here is what I found when trying to assemble it:
1. The charging handle and bolt carrier seemed to be tight within the receiver
2. There was noticeable rubbing and wear on both the charging handle and gas key
3. Lubrication made no difference
4. Every magazine I used would not lock into place while the bolt was in battery
5. When the bolt was released after inserting a magazine, the round would not chamber and the bolt would get stuck on the magazine
6. If fired with a single round and the mag not inserted, the casing would eject but be severely distorted at the base and neck
7. The gunsmith at Impact took a look for me and noticed all the same things (thanks again, appreciated!)
a. He said it appeared to be chambered for a different caliber or that it was too deep causing the neck to expand way past where it should
b. He also mentioned the tight fitment in the upper could be a result of both milspec parts and commercial parts being used together (I added or changed nothing from what was delivered)
I have boxed it back up and requested an RMA number, which I expect to get Monday at the earliest. They have a 3 day inspection period where you can return it without a restocking fee. I intend to hold them to that even though it has been fired a handful of times.
I suppose the moral is you get what you pay for. This was the cheapest upper I could find online and now I know why. Now a new search for a still affordable but quality upper starts again, as does another 6 month backorder time. Booooo.
Update: After I shipped it back I got a call on the afternoon they received the upper. They apologized for the problems I had and told me that one had been shipped out before being inspected. I requested a refund rather than a repair and it posted to my account 7 days after they issued the credit. For all the problems with the equipment, the customer service was not bad.
