[lehill66]

I recently bought a Stag Arms model 3. I haven't taken it to the range yet, I've only dry fired it a bunch of times. One time when I went to pull back the charging handle it wouldn't go back all the way. Long story short I took it apart to find that the retainer pin that holds the buffer in the buffer tube has cracked off. Has anyone else ever run into any issues with this happening?

It also raises another question...(and let me preface this by saying I'm new to these rifles and don't know much about them). But when you cock back the charging handle, are you supposed to just let it snap back with full force? As opposed to easing it back and then just using the bolt assist. The guy at the store told me to just let go and let it snap back. And I thought nothing of it until I saw just how small the buffer retainer pin was. Seems like a lot of force on such a small pin.

Any advice is appreciated

[2hot2handle]

I don't generally release the handle and let it slam back unless there is a round waiting to be fed into the chamber I'm no weapon engineer but I'm guessing it was designed to be that way. If you take out the cartridge to cushion the bolts forward motion there could be some problems I suppose. Someone who knows more will be along shortly to help you out.

[Quentin]

I agree with 2hot2handle, when dry firing I ride the charging handle back to ease the impact of the carrier slamming forward but I let it slam forward when chambering a round.

Hopefully it's just the buffer retainer pin that's damaged - not the hole in the threads?

[mjkeat]

Dummy rounds from Magpul are nice. They sent me some w/ my LWRC.