NEA Lower Question/Problem... HELP!
- Thread starter jonathonh
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chrisward3
Regular
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
im curious as to the "Z" that has been added to the end of the lowers. Sounds like a bunch of defected lowers that they marked and sold off cheap...dont recall that being part of the original ad. Im also curious if the serial numbers of these 40 lowers are sequential or if they are at random (indicating they are lowers that didnt pass any QC tests).
My serial numbers are 10 apart. I will post the ending digits when I get home.
I have never heard of any problem with their muzzle devices as far as their AR parts go. SPRTN308 mentioning the problematic ejection port cover installation is the first I've heard about their uppers that wasn't a complaint about the finish.
I own 4 NEA uppers, 4 NEA lowers, 2 NEA barrels (18", 14.5"), 1 NEA BCG, their A2 FH, "hybrid" muzzle break, "crusader" muzzle break, 4 NEA handguards (12", 9"x2, 7") and 1 of their gas blocks. All of the components in my possession function reliably, don't come loose etc. All have performed as expected.
If I had anything to whine about, it would be the Z on the two Christmas special lowers and the unusual tool marks on the two of them (tool marks not present on the lowers I paid full price for). I got them at a considerable discount, and even though they were not advertised as being factory seconds, I got what I paid for so I don't feel like #####ing on my part is appropriate. They work. Plain and simple.
The finish to me is relatively unimportant as I don't take my ARs for tea with the Queen on Sundays. I understand that other people expect more value for their dollar and you have every right to be pissed, if not moreso letdown that a Canadian company can't seem to put out a quality manufactured good that everyone else and their moms seem to be able to copy with satisfactory results.
The only issue I've ever had with my ARs was when I took my 11.5" to the range for the first time, the trigger locked back after firing 3-4x during the first 2-3 mags. I had to flick the safety to get the trigger to reset. After that initial break-in it ceased to occur and several hundred rounds later that problem has yet to reappear. The entire LPK was DPMS for everyone's information.
Happy to answer all questions and give honest opinions on all the components I own.
Also, the fit on all my uppers/lowers is satisfyingly tight to very tight, with an NEA lower/Colt A2 upper combination being the tightest (and the finish match is near perfect for those interested).
chrisward3
Regular
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
my last 3 are in the mid-800s. im not getting a great feeling about this, im likely going to call SFRC soon to arrange a return.
"Darnit, for the fourth time, you're supposed ta use the bloody 1/4" bit! Or wait... was it the 3/16, or was it the 5/32? Crap now I am remembering somthing about a 14mm bit... Not to worry, make a few of each and mix em all together, nobody'll notice, ours will be like the AK of AR's, loose tolerences for reliability and all that....." - NEA
I'm pretty sure everyone knows we try our hardest to keep everyone happy.
Firstly, anyone that isn't happy with their NEA lower is more than happy to return it.
Now for a few questions that people have been asking about:
The Z at the end of the serial #. It is there because 41 serial #'s were duplicated when the second CNC machine was set up. Someone forget to sync the serial #'s which created duplicates so a Z was stamped at the end. They are all consecutive serial numbers with the exception of 4...I had 4 already in stock that I sold at the discounted price (I think they are 600's serial #'s).
The burr in the channel for the rear take down pin. Any time I've seen one I just tap the pin thru and the burr falls off. I have made NEA aware of this and they will make sure all future lowers are de-burred in this spot.
Now on to the NEA lowers not fitting some peoples uppers. I only have four uppers here to test them with. A Daniel Defense, NEA, RRA and a Norinco. The RRA, Norinco and NEA uppers fit with no problem and no force being used. I was able to get the Daniel Defense upper to fit by using a rubber mallet but it was very very tight.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask but please keep it civil.
PS, NEA has decided to change the engraving on the lowers so that the lettering is deeper and easier to read. They are always open to suggestions, just be polite.
Added: They also fit Diemaco and Armalite uppers with no issues...tested and no issues.
Ryan
Firstly, anyone that isn't happy with their NEA lower is more than happy to return it.
Now for a few questions that people have been asking about:
The Z at the end of the serial #. It is there because 41 serial #'s were duplicated when the second CNC machine was set up. Someone forget to sync the serial #'s which created duplicates so a Z was stamped at the end. They are all consecutive serial numbers with the exception of 4...I had 4 already in stock that I sold at the discounted price (I think they are 600's serial #'s).
The burr in the channel for the rear take down pin. Any time I've seen one I just tap the pin thru and the burr falls off. I have made NEA aware of this and they will make sure all future lowers are de-burred in this spot.
Now on to the NEA lowers not fitting some peoples uppers. I only have four uppers here to test them with. A Daniel Defense, NEA, RRA and a Norinco. The RRA, Norinco and NEA uppers fit with no problem and no force being used. I was able to get the Daniel Defense upper to fit by using a rubber mallet but it was very very tight.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask but please keep it civil.
PS, NEA has decided to change the engraving on the lowers so that the lettering is deeper and easier to read. They are always open to suggestions, just be polite.
Added: They also fit Diemaco and Armalite uppers with no issues...tested and no issues.
Ryan
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May sound funny considering past comments I've made..
I've never bought an NEA product and I may yet.. I'm not fond of people slagging companies for slagging sake..
I've been willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and keep them on my maybe list. There are a couple companies I will not deal with.. But I question a companies QC when there are multiple repeated issues with the same thing...
I've never bought an NEA product and I may yet.. I'm not fond of people slagging companies for slagging sake..
I've been willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and keep them on my maybe list. There are a couple companies I will not deal with.. But I question a companies QC when there are multiple repeated issues with the same thing...
I wasn't suggesting you were, I was just letting everyone know whats going on. My post wasn't meant to be angry etc, just stating some facts etc.
Ryan
Ryan
Wasn't trying to bash you Ryan, just so you know. I just enjoy a good poke of fun every now and then at NEA.
Let us know if you have any light to shed on the oversize bolt catch pivot holes. I have some communications going with NEA through customer service, and they said they weren't aware of any issues, and offer to send me a roll pin or two. I'm fine with that, if their roll pins overcome the problem.
Like magically put some of that precious aluminum back in the hole? I mean, in the AR world, those kind of problems are almost unheard of, or isolated to a few "suspicious" companies.
If that had happened in the U.S. NEA would already be a distant memory or out of business... or both. Just sayin'
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