Last week I bought 3 carbine action springs from BCM. By my previous experiences and their industry reputation, this should have been a safe bet. The springs arrived a few days ago and I pulled them out and measured length, since that is how the tm prescribes wear measurement. The allowable range is 10-1/16” to 11-1/4”. Once a spring is below 10-1/16” it is determined to be worn and should be replaced. These new springs from BCM all measured 10-1/4” or 3/16” above minimum spec. I thought to myself, “wow, that’s not much room for wear.” I emailed BCM to express my concern and their respons was that the springs are “well within spec.” I disagree, and replied stating that if they considered these springs to be in spec then I would like to return them for a full refund to include return shipping. BCM’s response was to send me a copy of their return policy, which states they will not cover shipping, 2 weeks for a refund, etc.
The problem I have with this is they are essentially selling defective or out of spec goods and then not willing to make good on the return when the problem is found out. I suppose the message is “buyer beware” and perhaps BCM is another company who has forgotten their roots in the name of profit.
You’re both right. There isn’t much room for wear but they are within spec. I wouldn’t expect hem to cover shipping on a return of an item that is technically correct. Not preferable but technically correct.
While the springs are at the low end of the spec, they are within the spec. What you are missing is that the manufacturing process is also in control. You got three separate springs and all three measure the same.
I would use the springs and return them if they have a short service life.
Well, the springs are within the “specs”, even though at the shorter end of the spectrum. For the $20.00 spent on the springs and shipping, I would start using one of them right away and keep an accurate round count to determine its service life once the length reaches 10". It could be that even though the springs are a bit shorter, testing by the manufacturer has determined that the springs will have a normal service life.
A key question here is how many rounds does it take to continue to compress the spring until it is out of spec? If it’s five or six thousand rounds then probably you don’t have an issue. If it’s more like one thousand rounds, then I wouldn’t order parts from BCM anymore.
I don’t understand how receiving a part that is within an allowable range would cause a buyer to beware. I would rather have a quality part on the short end of the spectrum than a mystery metal spring which measures at the upper end of the tolerance.
See, that’s the problem. How do you know it’s a quality part? Just because BCM sells it? If it were a quality part, it would not be at the ragged low end of the acceptable range.
I looked for Colts on Brownells. Couldn’t find them. Just looked again and found it under AR6721 action spring. Stated length: 10-3/4" nominal…just like it should be.
I tend to agree with the above statement. The springs are on the shorter end of the in spec guidelines. However, if they perform as required and don’t crap out on you after a 1000 or so rounds then you should be fine.
In your original post, you stated “The problem I have with this is they are essentially selling defective or out of spec goods and then not willing to make good on the return when the problem is found out.”
The parts you received are neither defective or out of spec. Yes, buying from BCM is a reasonable guarantee of quality in my mind.
Put down the measuring tape and go shoot them. You’re overthinking it. All of my factory BCM springs are visibly shorter than other springs out there… brand new, or with thousands upon thousands of rounds through them. They are also a different color and texture than most - goldish, and less smooth feeling. But guess what? They all work. There is more than one way to skin a cat and BCM components are quality regardless of your preconceived expectation of what they should look like out of the box.
If it is going to bug you, I would pick up some Colt springs from Brownells. I used them in all my A5 builds as well as their standard carbine length. All were within spec even after thousands of rounds.
If the springs are within tolerances, I wouldn’t be worried, as other posters have expressed. Its length may be what the TM says to measure, but short of being able to measure the spring rate, length is the only thing a user can measure, and doesn’t tell the whole tale.
As a manufacturer and retailer myself, I’d refund the entire order, including shipping, but not necessarily the return postage, because there is nothing wrong with the product. If he insisted, I’d just take care of it. The few dollars we’d “lose” by not recouping the shipping charges are more than made up by the customer not feeling having lost money in the process. There’s no arguing with the customer, if we win the debate, we still lose. At this point we’d be trying to not upset him any further.
The springs fall within the published specs. You feel they should be on the upper end of the spec’d length. You have the right to expect a refund, but I don’t see where BCM should have to front the shipping back - the springs are within the acceptable range.
The springs are $4.50 items, I can see BCM’s point about not paying return shipping on items which you admit are within spec for the rifle, just not within your expectations.
At the end of the day BCM is just a company. I think the incessant assertions regarding BCM quality that you read on this forum sometimes give an unwarranted expectation of service and quality.
The springs will probably be just fine. In the first place they are wear items. In the second place the carbine extension is 7.25 inches long, the spring is compressed over three inches by the time you figure the buffer on the end.
I’d complain if it measured less than the bottom spec after firing a hundred or so rounds.