Dented cases with AR-15

[ks_shooter]

I have just reloaded the first batch of cases that I shot from my Bushmaster AR-15. I have noticed that all of them have a pronounced dent on the shoulder of the case and a lot of them have a smaller dent at about the midpoint of the case. It appears that the shoulder dent might be caused by the case flipping sideways as it exits the chamber and impacts the inner side of the upper receiver. The other dent might be caused by the case deflector, I'm not sure.

Is this type of case damage normal in an AR-15? I know that HK91's and their cousins mangle brass pretty good, but I haven't noticed any complaints about abused cases from AR users. Could it be that the ejector spring is a little over-active? Should I clip a few coils off the ejector spring to reduce the case damage or get a lower force spring? Thanks.

 

[Steve Smith]

There's nothing wrong with clipping the coils to get the results you want. Match shooters clip them all the time to avoid hitting the next guy with brass.


You should buy another spring or two before starting to clip the one you have, though.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

You can put a soft cover on the deflector to reduce the dents. A stick-on piece of velcro should do it, or a generous coating of silicon seal or shoe-goo will soften the hit.

Based on what other's have recommended, I'm going to pick up another ejector spring to try clipping.

Regards.

 

[Kharn]

Watch out for that ejector, its a lot harder to deal with than the pivot pin detent. Have a spare onhand, I learned the hard way that Armalite's spare parts kits do not include one

Kharn

 

[bad_dad_brad]

Sleeping Dog has the right idea. I never thought of doing that. So simple.

I believe the orginal AR15 did not have that stupid deflector. It was an Army add on to protect lefties from getting dinged. As I recall the original AR15s were first bought by the US Airforce and those models did not have the deflector.

 

[Redlg155]

I believe the orginal AR15 did not have that stupid deflector.

Yep, my A1 that I was first issued in the Army had no brass deflector. During range use lefties had to use a clip on brass deflector.

Good Shooting
RED

 

[BigG]

The deflector was one of the first tackical doodads. Oh yeah, and the forward assist.