NIB Colt 6933 - Safety Won't Move To Fire...

[SteyrAUG]

The small lever and screw has nothing to do with the normal operation of the safety, without it installed it operates like a non ambi and is held in position by the detent and spring just like any other safety. Any play back and forth came from some other problem. I can take any ambi safety I've got and stick it in any in spec lower without the small lever and screw and it will work perfectly. That safety was junk, shit happens.

That seems to be the case then.

[kirkland]

I was channeling my inner Okie, I guess the humor failed to register lol

Can't be runnin' no ambi safety when you're shooting from innagrass

[GTF425]

Can't be runnin' no ambi safety when you're shooting from innagrass

Dude's like Betelgeuse. Say "innagrass" 3 times and he'll start shit posting again.

[Uncas47]

That seems to be the case then.

Did you notice anything obviously wrong with the detent path or detent on the ambi? Did you try reinstalling it correctly without the small lever and screw? Unless there are garbage can sized holes for the detent or the detent is not seated correctly, there is no way to get end play with the drum. Any complete lower should have been function "safety" checked before leaving the factory. I've picked up LGS samples unknown genetics and seen horrible FCG and safety selector " workmanship". Glad ya got it sorted.

[HKGuns]

I was channeling my inner Okie, I guess the humor failed to register lol

Well, you certainly got me with that one.

[SteyrAUG]

Did you notice anything obviously wrong with the detent path or detent on the ambi? Did you try reinstalling it correctly without the small lever and screw? Unless there are garbage can sized holes for the detent or the detent is not seated correctly, there is no way to get end play with the drum. Any complete lower should have been function "safety" checked before leaving the factory. I've picked up LGS samples unknown genetics and seen horrible FCG and safety selector " workmanship". Glad ya got it sorted.

No but when I dropped in a standard safety everything worked, so I have to assume some defect with this particular safety given that the retaining bolt has nothing to do with function (hey I'm learning stuff).

It just stood out to me because this is the first time in my life that a Colt rifle has ever failed on me, especially right out of the box.

I really don't have strong feelings about the ambi, it's not always as positive "clickety click" as a standard safety lever but I don't mind it on all the other examples I have. I even have learned to use it, when I go to a rest position muzzle down to my left I will use my trigger finger to manipulate the safety.

But because I had mistakenly believed that the retaining screw wasn't fully seated and was responsible for the level of tightness in the ambi safety, I blamed the design itself. Now I just think I had a wonky one.

[Waylander]

I'm not seeing Loctite on that screw. That's red Nylok, same as what you find that comes pre-applied to mil-spec stock screws. It's not the same as a thread locker.

Something had to have been wrong with the parts (or perhaps the factory assembly monkey cross threaded the screw) for the screw to have seized up before threading all the way in. Also, sometimes those Nylok patches can be applied so thick, or so close to the start of the threads on the screw that it can be difficult to know if it is being threaded in right to start. And it could have been that the build up of Nylok was just so thick that it bound up going in and seized up the screw, but the stuff doesn't cure in a way (like a thread locker) to glue the parts together. It's just supposed to be an interference fit to prevent the part from vibrating loose.

It may just be me but when I zoom in on Steyr’s pic that looks exactly like a big red puddle of loctite. It would explain why the head snapped off.

You are correct on what is SUPPOSED to be on there is the nylok patch like on one of mine below.

I’m guessing some jackwagon saw red nylok and thought he would just add a drop of red loctite on a bare screw thinking there would be a 90% chance it would never be changed out anyway.

I’ve installed several and never had an issue.

[SteyrAUG]

It may just be me but when I zoom in on Steyr’s pic that looks exactly like a big red puddle of loctite. It would explain why the head snapped off.

You are correct on what is SUPPOSED to be on there is the nylok patch like on one of mine below.

I’m guessing some jackwagon saw red nylok and thought he would just add a drop of red loctite on a bare screw thinking there would be a 90% chance it would never be changed out anyway.

I’ve installed several and never had an issue.

This is a factory 6933-EPR from a LE supplier so if a nylok patch is current Colt spec, that's is probably what it is. I assumed it was red loctite. Either way the installation would have been done at Colt as the rifle is a NIB factory SBR.

ETA: Also put the selector under a large magnifier. It really does look like they drilled the detent area too deep which would cause the detent to lock the selector up.

[556Cliff]

Aren't all Colt's test fired before leaving the factory? If that's still the case, then how would this have been missed seeing as the selector couldn't be moved off of safe to do the test fire?

[Uncas47]

Aren't all Colt's test fired before leaving the factory? If that's still the case, then how would this have been missed seeing as the selector couldn't be moved off of safe to do the test fire?

I had the same question in mind but hesitated, not wanting to bring out the you know who's.