After shooting at the range today I noticed that the Huntsville pistol with about 838 rounds on it had the mag release pin drifting out on the right side, about 3/16 of an inch. I was able to reseat it but has anyone else had that issue??
Yes. Mine is Charlotte Gen2.
I am right handed so use the left mag release button. This pushes the pin out of the right side.
At about 300 rounds total it moved right far enough to misalign with the left hole in the frame.
The pin is splined on the right side. Tried low strength Loctite on the spline but it did not last.
Now using high strength (red) Loctite. Only 100 rounds but holding so far.
Time will tell... Joe
So far 200 rounds through my Huntsville. No problems yet. Will keep an eye on it.
Believe it or not, I have not fired Smokey yet!
I will review it when I fire it.
Blackie
Quote from: 1911SHOOTER on December 23, 2017, 10:10:38 AM
Believe it or not, I have not fired Smokey yet!
I will review it when I fire it.
Blackie
Blackie,
Seriously? How could you have not fired Smokie yet?
Rocky 150,
Thanks for the heads up on the mag release pin. I will watch for it.
Haven't seen it on my Charlotte Gen II, but have not fired my Huntsville
pistol yet. Waiting for another freebie mag from Big Green. Out of the two mags
that came with Smokey, one was FUBAR.
Mine was still seated after 530 rounds, however it didn't give much resistance when I removed it. The trigger pin, same size, was a bit tighter. The hammer and sear pins were much more difficult to remove.
I have used the medium strength Lock tight twice...no luck. The pin drifted within 25 rounds. I am now using the really strong stuff. I hope that it works or it is going back on warranty.
RRR
Almost 300 through mine right now. No pin drifting yet.
Quote from: Rocky150 on December 22, 2017, 05:08:22 PM
After shooting at the range today I noticed that the Huntsville pistol with about 838 rounds on it had the mag release pin drifting out on the right side, about 3/16 of an inch. I was able to reseat it but has anyone else had that issue??
Rocky,
Aww, I do not want to hear that crap. I have not even shot my Huntsville smokey yet.
Blackie
Has anyone thought about replacing the factory pin with a roll pin? The tension provided by the roll pin might just stop anymore drifting.
Quote from: R51Fan2017 on January 02, 2018, 09:14:21 AM
Has anyone thought about replacing the factory pin with a roll pin? The tension provided by the roll pin might just stop anymore drifting.
A roll, or coil pin won't work, unfortunately. Every pin in the R51 has a component either pivoting on it or, in the case of the mag release, moving laterally on it so anything other than a precision pin would hinder this movement. Loctite works but requires the parts to be extremely clean and oil free to hold.
If Loctite fails then the next option would be to use a new pin which is what Remington would probably do if sent back. I bet there is enough size variation on the serration end from pin to pin that they'd find one that fits tight. Eventually, if they see this issue enough, I would think they'd make an oversize pin rather than having to start replacing frames.
Another option, but a last resort, would be to install the pin from the left side of the frame.
I know Walther made a boat load of post war P38s that utilized aluminum frames with steel uppers, and they served the Germans well right up till 2004, but now I beginning to wonder if Remington's decision to use a aluminum frame was a dumb one or not. Is it possible that a pin could be wearing so much so fast? What kind of aluminum did they use? Chinese? :o
FunFlyer,
Good call!
Now, can we get the pins from Big Green
Blackie
The first application of the really strong stuff did not survive 50 rounds at the range. I brought it home and REALLY cleaned it up with everything, including rubbing alcohol.
Hopefully this does it or it goes back...... :(
Quote from: R51Fan2017 on January 02, 2018, 12:10:38 PM
I know Walther made a boat load of post war P38s that utilized aluminum frames with steel uppers, and they served the Germans well right up till 2004, but now I beginning to wonder if Remington's decision to use a aluminum frame was a dumb one or not. Is it possible that a pin could be wearing so much so fast? What kind of aluminum did they use? Chinese? :o
Sean,
Actuall the P-38 frames are holding up! I have one that is about 20 years old and it is still tight.
The only beef I ever had with them was they are all set up as LEFT HANDED! Puts the brass right back in
your face.
Blackie
Its going back.... >:( :(
Quote from: Rocky150 on January 03, 2018, 03:18:51 PM
Its going back.... >:( :(
Oh great. :( Before you send it back, could we have a picture of what it looks like if it isn't too much trouble?
The pin walked again...even with a great cleaning and the strongest Locktite.....The folks at Remington we great, and understanding. He knew of this issue and re: the Mags........they are working on them in order to fix the "first round rack" issue. Maybe that will fix the loose follower ?????
There is a type of loctite - purple in color I think it is - that is specifically made for "circular part bonding". I will watch for this on mine too, thanks for the great photo.
Courtney in Seattle
Loctite Part No.22221 purple is the low strength threadlocker I tried first. It did not last long.
I then used Permatex #27100 "high strength threadlocker red" bought at auto parts store.
Requires heat to remove and 24 hrs to reach full strength.
Still holding after a single 100 round session.
I too may return this pistol if this doesn't work... Joe
I wonder if it's a matter of the expansion characteristics of dissimilar materials (aluminum frame, steel pin) from the heat of extended shooting sessions?I have read that a HK P7 is hard to handle without gloves after 50 rounds - does the R51 frame get hot too?
Rocky,
Maybe a long shot but I have to ask. Does your pin have the serrations on the end? Hard to tell from your picture. It's rare but sometimes hardware will slip by a manufacturing process untouched. The pic below is of a retaining pin that is unfinished and missing the serrations on the large end.
The serrations are there...unfortunately. An oversized pin might be the answer??? Not sure what they are going to do.
I'm having this issue. Observations and plan of action:
1) If you lock the slide open, pressure on the pin is released and you can ease the pin back in place.
EDIT 1.5) I tapped the pin from right to left just firmly enough that it won't budge with finger pressure. We'll see how that holds.
2) I'll try threadlock after liberally spraying with brake parts/carb cleaner to remove all lube so the stuff will hold.
3) Second RMA and let Big Green do their thing.
Welp. Looking around it looks like Loc-tite is an indifferent fix and apparently Big Green is aware of the issue and has a permanent fix. So, RMA mode again.
I've had the pin walk out twice, but that was a while ago. It hasn't done it lately, but I'd like to know if there's a real fix.
Finally got hold of my customer service guy at Remington. Evidently they play musical pins til they get one that's snug in the frame.
Well, mine only walks out the right side. I can stick a piece from a Talon grip (or any tape) over the pin hole.
Solution. Remington sent me a replacement mag release assembly and spring. The pin is much tighter with the new spring. Problem solved.
Thanks Dave... Hope they will do the same for me... Joe
Does the tighter pin make the mag release button hard to push?