Anybody have 5000 + rounds through WK180 yet?

I wonder what the best solution would be? The charging handle needs to be retained somehow so it doesn't ride against the soft aluminum receiver.

Brass or other soft metal charging handle that is worn instead of the receiver?
Threaded insert into the bolt to allow for screw in charging handle? Would be slightly more annoying to field strip.
 
HeK said:
I wonder what the best solution would be? The charging handle needs to be retained somehow so it doesn't ride against the soft aluminum receiver.

Brass or other soft metal charging handle that is worn instead of the receiver?
Threaded insert into the bolt to allow for screw in charging handle? Would be slightly more annoying to field strip.
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7075 aluminum would probably help.
 
The charging handle issue needs to be remedied. Kodiak must know this will be an enormous and costly warranty headache from high-volume shooters and incredibly bad for future sales of the rifle.

Why would anyone buy a rifle knowing the receiver has a lifespan of 5000 rounds (possibly less), which most shooters probably won't hit until after the warranty has expired?

I do have a 180 with maybe 300 rounds into it. I put some grease in the charging handle pocket which creates a bit of a vacuum and helps it stay in place I imagine. So far I've observed no abnormal wear, but I hate the charging handle system and would pay out of pocket for an aftermarket solution just to avoid the headache of future problems. RWA has already developed many upgraded parts for the WK - this is absolutely the most important one that needs a solution.
 
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Only a few hundred rounds through mine so far, and the only wear I can see on the receiver is minor peening from the charging handle at the front (I run mine on the left side). Charging handle must be rotating slightly (counterclockwise) when locking/unlocking in/out of battery. I can't see any other wear on the receiver from the handle.
I use liberal amounts of thick grease on all sliding surfaces on this gun, could be helping to reduce some of the play between the bolt and receiver

So far I'm happy with mine for the pricr, but it could be getting an RWA upper upgrade if I decide I want to keep a 180 long term
 
Just an update on my broken bolt... John at Wolverine and Owen at Kodiac have a new bolt on the way. One thing i can confirm customer service is excellent.
For the guys who dont own a WK180 and are hanging around complaining soon enough spare parts will be readily available. If a person shoots 5000 rounds and has to buy an upper it wont be a big deal to me at $100 lol. Its a good little gun thats on the cheap side so if it gets some scratches who cares.
 
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Kodiak has a new screw in style charging handle currently in production!

What ammo are you guys finding most accurate in your wk?
I have only tried cheaper american eagle 55gr 5.56 gonna order 500 rounds of something dif to try in it for target shooting and wanna pick up a couple hunting loads to try to fine tune it for coyote hunting.
Just wondering what you guys are finding most accurate in yours?
 
iceangler650 said:
Kodiak has a new screw in style charging handle currently in production!

What ammo are you guys finding most accurate in your wk?
I have only tried cheaper american eagle 55gr 5.56 gonna order 500 rounds of something dif to try in it for target shooting and wanna pick up a couple hunting loads to try to fine tune it for coyote hunting.
Just wondering what you guys are finding most accurate in yours?
Click to expand...

I havent developed any loads yet but have been following others and it seems that generally you want to go to 64--77 gr bullet weight for ideal accuracy. Im getting consistent 2 moa accuracy with 55gr AEs. Which is about the same as my factory AR and half what I get with my Mini 14.
 
Sounds like only a few rifles are actually affected by the charge handle. Does this rifle have a lifetime warranty? Has anyone had any problem getting a rifle fixed that doesn't work?

Shoot your rifles, worry about the wear when it affects function. When that happens you'll get a new receiver on warranty.

When it actually becomes a problem complain if they don't take care of you.
Until then I don't know what all the dump them on the EE or look for quality aftermarket parts talk is about.
You didn't buy a BCL so relax, I've never heard of Wolverine not standing behind what they sell.
 
Ironheart said:
1 year warranty:sok2
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I just emailed Kodiak. One year is not enough warranty for a new rifle like this.

Maybe this design only works with a stamped steel receiver, might have to come up with a new way to do the charging handle if this is more than just a couple rifles.
Maybe some type of retention system so it snaps in instead of just riding in the pocket. Like a QD connection.

Regardless, that is not normal wear and the charge handle should not come loose.
 
Well the warranty might only be a year but the service is beyond excellent. New bolt arrived today and sent the broken one back all paid by Kodiac. Hey and if i get 5000 rounds out of an upper i will not complain replacing it for $150 lol. Im still going to be $ ahead over building other NR rifle. Best part is its a $1000 and if it gets marked up i dont care. My WK looks sweet with a 15 inch midwest hand guard
 
Got a reply already, the short and sweet was that it's a one year warranty to the original owner but they've never asked to see a receipt.
Also that they definitely stand behind their product and if it's eating itself the owner will be taken care of.

There is an updated charge handle going into rifles point forward but it wasn't mentioned about how current owners would be taken care of. I would guess it will be a case by case thing but wouldn't worry unless your rifle is affected.

Just remember that being a jerk, yelling and screaming, and demanding things is a sure fire way to make someone not want to help you.
If your rifle is having issues send them an email and be patient, they're busy and still playing catch-up.
 
I'm not sure how the rifle is eating the receiver - the AR18 design is such that the bolt doesn't ride on the receiver, it locks to the barrel and in recoil it rides on the two recoil spring guides. Hence the smoothness that you hear about. Is this contact at the rear we're seeing or what? Are the locking lugs peening? the barrel extension? Frankly the reason that they could use stampings in its construction is that the bolt doesn't ride the receiver, if it did it would eat the stampings faster than it would eat a forging. OK, just read the whole thread, the charging handle is wearing the C-H channel, on the outside of the gun. That isn't exactly "it's eating the gun" that's more like "my shiny new gun is getting all ugly" maybe put another CH in the offside slot?
 
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