Systema PTW Broken Upper Receiver due to over-tight Barrel Nut

[ILLusion]

So, it turns out I'm the poor victim of one of those over-torqued barrel nuts that are attached WAY too tight and being completely uncooperative as far as removal goes.

In the process, I practically shattered the upper receiver in multiple pieces, despite using an armourer's wrench to remove the barrel nut.

The icing on the cake? I didn't use that much force, and the fact that the barrel nut hasn't even budged one bit. The dummy gas tube hole is still completely aligned with the notch in the barrel nut.

#@!$!#%!%$^@$%^#%^!!!!!!

What a bummer.

So my question is, what's Systema's policy on this issue, as I am aware that it is a known issue. After all, what's the point of creating a system that's compatible with real steel parts if I can't even remove the parts to begin with?
Or am I screwed on the issue and have to shell out more cash just to get a replacement upper? (I still have to figure out how to remove this barrel nut from my now busted upper receiver...)

Does anybody know who I can contact to resolve this issue?
Ideally, I'd like to be able to ship whatever's left of my upper receiver with attached outer barrel to someone who can separate the broken upper receiver from the rest of the parts and ship all of the parts back to me with a replaced upper receiver.

[mcguyver]

http://www.systema-europe.com/Forum/...sts.asp?TID=52

This might be the same thing as what happened to you. Try Wallace at Z-Shot and see if he can help you.

[Jugglez]

Probably your best bet is to call Systema Japan.

Systema Japan Tel : 81-3-3997-8544


I believe the policy on defective pre-assembled PTW would be either return it dto the dealer you bough it from (provided they are a Systema PTW Authorized dealer) , or have it assessed by a Systema Certified tech. I don't think there are any in Canada.

[ILLusion]

Originally Posted by mcguyver

http://www.systema-europe.com/Forum/...sts.asp?TID=52

This might be the same thing as what happened to you. Try Wallace at Z-Shot and see if he can help you.

Yes, that's exactly what happened. I followed Wallace's "step-on-magazine" trick and this is what I ended up with. :P

[wey ferro]

you're lucky, just a good excuse to buy a real upper.
that happened to someone in calgary but his just fell off. he never fell on it or anything. just in the safe zone.

[ILLusion]

For the morbidly curious, here are pictures:

[KEVORKIAN]

RIGHTY TIGHTY...LEFTY LOOSEY !!!

I'm guessing that you used quite a bit of force to do all that! Warranty had BETTER cover that! You can't be blamed for something like that to happen...

Have you had your PTW for long? The nut is steel & the receiver is aluminum, correct? I've encountered this before in my trade due to dissimilar metals seizing together, maybe this could account for what happened here!!

[ILLusion]

Yup, I used righty-tighty lefty-loosey. Not sure if you can tell by those photos, but the shearing should indicate the direction I was torquing, as the damage is assymetrical.

I actually didn't use much force at all. I laid the PTW on its side on top of a phone book, with cylinder and mag inserted. Placed my foot on top of the receiver, mag under my heel, toes against the upper and then applied my weight downwards on the armourer's wrench to take the nut off counter-clockwise. I only weigh 135 pounds... I put my weight down and the wrench moved... it wasn't jerky or anything. I stopped right away and thought "wow... that was easier than I thought..."

Then I saw the minor white line visible in the 4th and 5th pictures and thought "omg... please tell me no...."

Then I turned the receiver around and saw the upper receiver separated from the lower. Sounds of howling banshees erupted within my head, as I looked in to the crevice to see the big cracks.

I've had my PTW for about a half year now, but it's only sat in my closet. It's never even seen field-use. :P

And you are correct - the barrel nut is steel and the receiver is die-cast aluminum. I've also heard of dissimilar metals seizing in my studies and it was also what I was assuming happened here.


As for the warranty covering this, I have a feeling that even if I brought this issue to Systema, they'll tell me "well... you used your foot on it. Our proper assembly/disassembly technique requires a receiver vice, which you didn't use."

:P

boourns. I've never caused this much damage on even a regular AEG receiver!

[Styrak]

Originally Posted by ILLusion

As for the warranty covering this, I have a feeling that even if I brought this issue to Systema, they'll tell me "well... you used your foot on it. Our proper assembly/disassembly technique requires a receiver vice, which you didn't use."

:P

boourns. I've never caused this much damage on even a regular AEG receiver!

They don't need to know you didn't use a receiver vice.....hehehe....

That's shitty though. Looks like you did a pretty good job of it. Especially that huge ass crack that goes the length of the receiver.

[Lakonian]

die cast aluminum.... mmmm.

But Wey's right. This is an opportunity for a RS upper

[Cassius]

Are rs receivers CNC'ed aluminium?

[Renegade)]

My condolences buddy... poor PTW.

[ThunderCactus]

Aren't you SO glad you bought the 3rd sturdiest gun in all of airsoft instead of buying and fully upgrading 2 G&P guns of the same type?
Anyway ya that sucks man, you could try Mark but I don't think he wants to deal with any more guns at the moment.
And having your receiver made from die cast or CNC aluminum doesn't matter, it broke across a poorly engineered point. There should have been a radius there instead of a sharp 90 degree edge.
And for the record it's die cast aluminum that has been put in a CNC machine. They're not going to CNC a complete receiver out of a solid block of aluminum, that would cost well over 800$
Well look on the bright side of things, it'll be the most spectacular, accurate, realistic and well built airsoft receiver to ever be thrown in the garbage!

[Firewalker]

I hope systema will warranty you that part. That is one shitty thing to happen. I remember when I did that with my TM plastic body kept me out of the game for a month or two.

[Flatlander]

Originally Posted by ILLusion

And you are correct - the barrel nut is steel and the receiver is die-cast aluminum. I've also heard of dissimilar metals seizing in my studies and it was also what I was assuming happened here.

Check for signs of oxidation on the barrel and delta ring if/when you get it off.

My electrochemistry is a bit fuzzy, but you're right, when two dissimilar metals are contacting it can have an adverse affect. IIRC, if you pick two metals who's electrode potentials are very different (ie. they're far apart on the table) then there's cause for concern with oxidation. However, in this case it's aluminum and steel (iron) which are very close on the table (seperated by only one other element).

Someone with a better chemistry background should be able to confirm or further explain. Definately shoot some bolt loosener grease in the threads when trying to get it off (WD-40 works ok but there's better stuff). Maybe if you know someone who can TIG weld they could fix it for you (would require a lot of finishing work afterwards tho).