Originally Posted by
RobbieLaidlaw
Hey guys, this is a warning or at least some info and experience about using the 'Upper/Lower play issue fix'.
I found a perfectly sized O-ring in the garage and put it where recommended, it worked great (zero play) for about 400 rounds before the ring broke.
The problem: The area right above the location i fitted my O-ring to seemed to have a lot more wear than the rest of the upper. Specifically, where the BCG rides (top and bottom). Of course, like any other WK, the cam pin grinds a small portion of the upper, not enough on my rifle to even care. The wear on my rifle is very small compared to others i have seen. (This shows Kodiak making improvements, well done Kodiak).
Anyways, i believe by raising the upper ever so slightly via an O-ring, the BCG does not have the perfect clearance it would have, had the upper been in its original position i.e. slightly lower (The height of the O-ring to be exact). Because of this, the bottom of my BCG, and right where the bottom of the BCG meets with the aluminum above the O-ring is ground down quite a bit. Theres also very minimal wear (finish scratches) on the inner-top of the receiver where the BCG rides, exclusively above the part where the O-ring is placed.
I decided not to replace the broken O-ring with a new one and just live with the slight wiggle. I imagine this will also make cycles more smooth because the bottom of the BCG wont be hitting the aluminum so hard (not that i had an issue with rough cycles, just an idea).
On a side note: I have had little to no problems with my rifle after 500 rounds. However, coincidentally or not, at the same time my O-ring broke, before i could remove the O-ring i had a problem depressing the take down 'button'. It was extremely stiff and would not move at all. This was post range day where i really tried to put the rifle through its paces, firing rapidly, getting it quite hot etc.
I have no proof to believe this is the sole cause, but i suspect the reason i couldn't press the recoil springs in was because the O-ring was holding the upper too high and made it so the plate that the recoil springs sit in became jammed in the receiver.
I have read somewhere of someone else having a problem with taking down the rifle because of a stuck plate, however i do not recall them giving much detail, they just blamed Kodiak.
The remedy was a tinsmith hammer lightly tapping the recoil spring plate until it was in far enough that i could separate the upper/lower.
Even after i separated the upper/lower, the plate remained jammed inside of the upper. I have photos of it stuck in there if anyone is interested. I got the plate out by tapping the back of it.
On a side-side note: After removing the O-ring, i have also noticed a reduction in the amount of brass residue inside the receiver. I am not sure why this is, i might be wrong about this seeing as i've only fired ~100 rounds since removing the O-ring.
My rifle has been running fine ever since. If anyone has any extra info, or corrections about my experience id appreciate the insight. Thanks guys.
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