Shandlanos 1,470 Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 Well, the charging handle on my 8" gun broke off - for the second time. The first time it wasn't cycling properly, and broke off during firing - it broke into two pieces that time. That was a few years and more than a thousand rounds ago. The second time, when I took it home to clean it, the fucker broke off in my hand during disassembly, almost perfectly flush with the bolt carrier.It's a welded Galil-style charging handle. It looked like it was welded properly, cosmetically it was very nicely done both times. I sent it back to the manufacturer the first time - not sure if I want to do that again, or send it to another reputable gunsmith to have it repaired.I'm certain it's not overgassed - the recoil feels right, and I use an MD Arms gas plug that I always tune to the lowest setting that will reliably kick shells. Any suggestions?It's more than a little frustrating when an expensive piece of hardware is rendered all but useless by a simple failure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sdustin 578 Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 Get some 4140 and make a new one. Different steels are hard to weld right. I imagine the bolt carrier is 4140 or its close. counter sink and weld. Use tig. Get someone that wells for a living to do it. By counter sink I mean have the rod go into the bolt carrier so you will need to drill a hole in the carrier for the handle. You say almost flush, my guess is the original handle was just cut off and the new one welded on the spot on the carrier. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big John! 2,062 Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 A real welder should have zero problem welding this simply having the charging handle beveled. No need to mess with drilling. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thebuns1 4,323 Posted May 4, 2014 Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 Got a pic Shand. Im curious to see it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,218 Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 ^^^ Same here Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shandlanos 1,470 Posted June 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 Sorry it took so long, didn't notice the request for pics until today.Took a couple on my phone this morning. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big John! 2,062 Posted June 8, 2014 Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 I need a pic of the charging handle. Top and bottom of the weld. Looks like either the weld was sorta good and took some carrier with it or it was drilled and the weld sucked. Again, hard to tell without seeing the weld left on the charging handle. Monty is correct about dissimilar metals but this is not rocket science for a real TIG welder. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
storm6490 2,768 Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 That sucks. This is why I had a pro weld it on for me. I can weld, but that sucker is on my bolt near my head. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IndyArms 10,184 Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Makes it a real BITCH to cycle the action, doesn't it??? Good luck getting it fixed. a good welder should hook ya right up!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mostholycerebus 415 Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 (edited) Drill, tap, and screw a bolt in there with locktite. GTG. Or, good opportunity to get a left-side charging handle done, since you are paying for a weld and refinish anyway. Edited June 9, 2014 by mostholycerebus Quote Link to post Share on other sites
magsite20 1,664 Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 good welder, good equipment, prep done right, right welding rod with good penetration and it should be on there like it was part of the bolt carrier from day one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matthew Hopkins 1,065 Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I sent it back to the manufacturer the first time - not sure if I want to do that again, or send it to another reputable gunsmith to have it repaired. forget about sending it off to a gunsmith for welding, send it to someone that knows what he is doing, like a professional welder. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big John! 2,062 Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I sent it back to the manufacturer the first time - not sure if I want to do that again, or send it to another reputable gunsmith to have it repaired. forget about sending it off to a gunsmith for welding, send it to someone that knows what he is doing, like a professional welder. I concur! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
breid1970 327 Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 At this point, me personally, I would just order a new bolt and say to hell with "maybe the next weld will hold." But thats just me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matthew Hopkins 1,065 Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 (edited) At this point, me personally, I would just order a new bolt and say to hell with "maybe the next weld will hold." But thats just me. if a weld is done correctly, from someone who knows what he is doing, that weld will be stronger then the steel it's attached to, so there will be no issues with it breaking. the whole key to having something like that done is what I stated earlier, take it to someone who is a professional welder that has been doing that for decades, not some gunsmith. do you know what a gunsmith is? it's a guy who passed the ATF background check, his check didn't bounce for the license. it doesn't mean he knows how to fix a firearm, ATF does not administer test or certification for that the person apply for that license. Edited June 10, 2014 by Matthew Hopkins Quote Link to post Share on other sites
unclejake 428 Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 I'm QC for a big fabrication shop that builds parts for a major heavy machinery company. The advise for getting a PRO welder is sound. Once done right will last forever. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
breid1970 327 Posted June 10, 2014 Report Share Posted June 10, 2014 Where you asking me if I know what a gunsmitht is? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.