Let me know if anyone has experience with this:
So I just bought a SOLGW stripped lower to pair up with a factory SOLGW upper. I put them together just to check the fit. Well, I had to hit them with a hammer to get them together. I read something online that said they are supposed to be tight. But this seems excessive.
Think they could be out of spec?
I doubt if they are out of spec. Its more likely they are both at or near one end of tolerance.
When you say you had to use a hammer, do you mean to seat the takedown pins, or just to join the receivers? I have one AR with a receiver fit tight enough that I use a pmag to push then pull the rear takedown pin. I can do it by hand, but its painful.
Buying receivers separately is a bit of a crap shoot.
Andy
Finesse not force.
Whenever 2 pieces don’t fit measure them.
They would have fit them for you of replaced them and probably still will.
I have a Larue complete upper that is a tight fit with a Larue billet lower at the Lt side when the upper comes down to join the lower. It just so slightly scratches/scrape at the anodized coating.
I tried different uppers so I know it is the lower, but it’s not the end of the world and I can separate them easily enough.
Sounds pretty good to me. The finish will wear in and they’ll eventually be perfect.
I have to tap them with a hammer just to join the receivers. I haven’t tried to pair them with any other lowers/uppers.
I wouldn’t think its a crap shoot buying receivers from the same manufacturer.
I bought an Aero lower and upper receiver and built my own AR. I had to use a center punch to pop the push pins out to seperate the lower and upper recievers. It got easier after I went to gun range a few times. Now I can use my fingers to push them out for cleaning.
Its not the take down pins that are difficult. Its fitting the receivers together.
You’ve already banged em together with a hammer, I think they’ll wear in a be pretty nice eventually.
I have two SOLGW lowers with Colt uppers and they’re not any different than a Colt lower as far as tightness.
The lugs on their uppers are spec’ed oversized by .001" for a tight fit.
Perhaps “crap shoot” is a bit strong. The fit could have gone the other way and been a little loose.
I would suggest checking to see if you can pin the receivers together by hand, no need for springs or detents. If you can’t pin them, reach out to SOLGW and see if they can help you.
Andy
Probably the anodizing. It should wear in eventually.
Out of spec. Should never have to bang on AR pars to get them to go together properly. RRA makes or use to make their recievers the same way.
Spikes has a great upper to lower fit without making them out of spec.
They’re not out of spec, but both may be on the edge of spec. That’s pretty typical of SOLGW receivers. They do it on purpose to ensure a tight receiver to receiver fit. I had a similar issue, but after a few range trips and breakdowns, they’re perfect now. It’ll wear on the tight spots and become just fine. If you’re unhappy with it, shoot them an email, and they’ll likely replace one or both of them.
No, they are out of specified limits if they have to be forced together.
If they were IN SPEC, there would be at least a 0.004" clearance, and the parts should slide together easily.
Literally no-one here knows whether either part is in spec or not. Instead of speculating publicly why not call SOLGW and see what they tell you to do?
The OP states he has to use a hammer to get the upper and lower to fit properly so unless he isnt being truthful it is out of spec.
They’re supposed to be tight, just like the Zev receivers they are based on. If you don’t like them I’ll take them off your hands.
OP if the manufacturer refuses to make it right i would sell your out of spec recievers to this guy. No way would i be satisfied with a reciever set that needed to be put together using a hammer.
Also if SOLGW determins that pounding their recievers together with a hammer is normal i would like to know.
Member name is appropriate.