My AR "failed" the dust test, pt. II PICS

Dealers/ Manufacturers/ Regional/ Info Trash
1

Alright, for starters lets not go off on a tangeant about controlled tests, etc. this is not one of those. This was done for my knowledge, and to satisfy a mind.

Two days ago I decided to do a little test of a new rifle, a S&W M&P T. The rifle had about 100 rounds thru it with mil or LE spec ammo and had no failures till the test.

I decided to use Wolf mil classic, for a variety of reasons but mainly because that’s what I had open at the time. I put the rifle down on the ground and kicked a bunch of sand all over it, dust port closed, mag in and bolt down on an empty chamber. The results after firing about 30 rounds, with a number of slow bolt malfunctions, looked like this:

The original pics of the sand on the rifle are else where and not avail right now, however I decided, due to suggestions from others to try it again, this time using .mil or LE spec ammo. This is the result:

I kicked a bunch of sand on it…

Not feeling content, I threw the same weapon into the river:

And quickly confirmed the purpose of the hole in the rear of the receiver extension, I suddenly realized that the extension will hold a large amount of water and takes a fair amount of time to drain. So much so I was able to take two photos during the process:

After the bath I again put it on the ground and kicked sand all over it. The results:

I then fired off a magazine of xm193, had three failures where the bolt tried to go forward, failing to pick up a new round and getting hung up on the forward movement (gas/lube prob).

A second magazine of Guat surplus yielded two failures, same as above. This is what it looked like “inside” after 50 rounds, still well wet:

During cleaning (air compressors are a gift!) the only real visible damage was to the interior of the stock, so much sand got wedged in there when I opened the stock it scratched the crap out of the plastic. I did not see any scratched on the extension, oddly enough.

2

Also, during the first test I had a Millet DMS mounted and it got a face full of sand. I chose not to throw it in the river mainly because the scope has a fair amount of grit in the housing, when the magnification is changed grit can be felt in the mechanism. Only time will tell if this is detrimental to the scope.

3

Well, I’m not sure what this proves, if anything.

I do have one question: how was the rifle lubed?

4

Generously.

It proves, if you are a gomer and drop your new rifle in the field, then trip and fall in the river, and have the misfortune to fall yet again in the sand, you may need to clean your rifle before expecting reliable operation.

5

You say you had only shot 100 rounds through the gun prior? I’d have waited a bit longer when it is more broken in, then do the test over. Also, open up the dust cover when you dip in the dust and water for maximum testosity*!

  • 100% guaranteed to be a real word. Honest.
6

For what it’s worth, the best way to drain a rifle is to point it down and open the action half way till the water is out.

I’d guess the little hold is to allow any unknown fluids to seep out slowly when the rifle isn’t in use.

7

Man that was painful to watch! I don’t have “Safe Queens” but I don’t think I could do that to one of my “Babies”. Maybe the SPCAR’s (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AR’s) should be notified? (Sorry…Long Week!)

I agree that the break in period could have been longer. I also thought the hole in the Butt was to relieve a little of the Gas from the ignition cycle, but I could be “All Wet” (sorry) about that.

8

somebody try the same thing with an AK now. :smiley: :wink:

9

Your test only proves the AR15/M16 is not idiot proof, something the armed forces have known for 40 years.

10

My guns looks dirtier than that all the time. :smiley:

11

Sand and grit getting into locking lugs and slidding parts…

What did you expect?

I doubt any design would function well with that stuff in the trigger components and bolt lugs.

12

I can confirm that this is true. Though some of my co-workers were not too pleased to have experienced this first hand. :smiley:

13

Try it all day/week/month/year long and it will still not be any where near as accurate as an AR. :wink:

14

No offense but I would call myself an idiot if I awoke one day to find out that I had myself done this to a perfectly good $1100 rifle.

This proves nothing but what one person can do when bored.

15

IMO the M&P15T isn’t ‘perfect’ or even ‘good enough’ until you replace the aluminum gas block with a steel one from VLTOR or LaRue and pin it or dimple the set screws so that it can’t move.

16

But that little amount of “error” in my post doesn’t negate the fact that what was done to this rifle was pretty foolish, right Robb?

17

Yeah. I wouldn’t do that to a rifle I paid for. Let the manufacturer pay for it.

18

everything is truly a compromise.

just thought i’d stir the pot. :smiley:

19

They have. Arsenal Bulgaria did it, I’ve got it on VHS around here somewhere. Submersion in mud puddles, sand quarry, couple of other things.

20

yeah that’s on youtube i think.

now if someone would just put decent sights on the ak…