Radical AR15 feedback

[Plain Lucky]

I can't find the original thread from around March where KYGUNCO had the Radical Firearms AR15's for $399 but there were several of us who purchased them. Just curious on how everyone is getting along with them? I have less than 50 rounds through mine and have had issues with the bottom of the charging handle rubbing to the point that it is very difficult to pull it back to charge a round. Not a huge issue but I need to replace it. Open to suggestions on a good ambidextrous charging handle that doesn't break the bank.

I also have another Radical AR15 that I bought about a year ago. I've been pleased with it but it was very dry out of the box, causing a few FTF's. After a good cleaning with some CLP, it has performed flawlessly for 200+ rounds.

If you bought one of these rifles, how has your experience been so far?

[DaveC]

I bought 2 and have only taken one to the range so far.

The 6.5 Grendel - I put an upgraded trigger in and topped it with a Burris FFII 4.5-14 x42 scope.

I only ran one box of Hornady SST's through it, but it ate every round with nary a hick-up.
It held a decent 1" ish group at 100 yards that walked to a 2" group at 200. Respectable enough for what it is.

IMO the accuracy should only get better the more the barrel gets shot in.

The trigger I put in isn't helping either, it is a 2 stage Larue MBT2s.
I think I'm gonna do the allen bolt in the grip bolt hole trick to work the first stage out- I've done this before on different guns with favorable results.
After that maybe lighter springs as this trigger pull is just too stiff for my liking.

I doubt this gun will see much use as my 6.8 with an APR barrel is a tack driver compared to the RA.
Ammo availability is its limiting factor.

I need to take the other RA out for some daylight just to make sure it functions before returning it to its box.

[Plain Lucky]

Thanks DaveC - great info!

My "issue" with the charging handle turned out to be due to my having replaced the latch on it. The pin in the latch had partially come out and is actually what was rubbing. I believe the handle was fine if I hadn't replaced the latch.

[TexZ71]

I can't find the original thread from around March where KYGUNCO had the Radical Firearms AR15's for $399 but there were several of us who purchased them. Just curious on how everyone is getting along with them? I have less than 50 rounds through mine and have had issues with the bottom of the charging handle rubbing to the point that it is very difficult to pull it back to charge a round. Not a huge issue but I need to replace it. Open to suggestions on a good ambidextrous charging handle that doesn't break the bank.

I also have another Radical AR15 that I bought about a year ago. I've been pleased with it but it was very dry out of the box, causing a few FTF's. After a good cleaning with some CLP, it has performed flawlessly for 200+ rounds.

If you bought one of these rifles, how has your experience been so far?

I have expirenced this before, the "end plate" stuck up to high. I ground it down with a Dremel for a quick fix, eventually re placed it with a new one. no issues after that.

[Drycreek3189]

I bought one in 7.62x39. I haven’t shot it extensively but enough to know it will not fire steel case Russian ammo with any reliability. It fires factory ammo fine. That was mildly disappointing but not too much as my AKs will eat it up. I bought it mainly as a ride-around gun, put a Holosun 507 on it and it’s the only rifle I’ve ever bought in my life that needed no adjustment when I put an optic on it. It’s plenty minute-of-pig without a scope. Overall, I’m very satisfied with it, especially the price.

[Plain Lucky]

I bought one in 7.62x39. I haven’t shot it extensively but enough to know it will not fire steel case Russian ammo with any reliability. It fires factory ammo fine. That was mildly disappointing but not too much as my AKs will eat it up. I bought it mainly as a ride-around gun, put a Holosun 507 on it and it’s the only rifle I’ve ever bought in my life that needed no adjustment when I put an optic on it. It’s plenty minute-of-pig without a scope. Overall, I’m very satisfied with it, especially the price.

I don't have the link but the initial thread about the sale mentioned replacing the firing pin on the 7.62 x 39 for that reason. I bought the same caliber and the replacement firing pin but have not installed it. I've only fired brass ammo so far and haven't had any issues. I've head of other brand AR's having the same problem with steel ammo.

[Drycreek3189]

I don't have the link but the initial thread about the sale mentioned replacing the firing pin on the 7.62 x 39 for that reason. I bought the same caliber and the replacement firing pin but have not installed it. I've only fired brass ammo so far and haven't had any issues. I've head of other brand AR's having the same problem with steel ammo.

I bought the stronger hammer spring, I guess I need to put the firing pin in too.

[kkp005]

I bought one in 7.62x39. I haven’t shot it extensively but enough to know it will not fire steel case Russian ammo with any reliability. It fires factory ammo fine. That was mildly disappointing but not too much as my AKs will eat it up. I bought it mainly as a ride-around gun, put a Holosun 507 on it and it’s the only rifle I’ve ever bought in my life that needed no adjustment when I put an optic on it. It’s plenty minute-of-pig without a scope. Overall, I’m very satisfied with it, especially the price.

I’ve bought 3 of the 10.5” 7.62x39 uppers over the years. Changed out the firing pin and have had great luck with wolf & tulammo steel

[Drycreek3189]

I’ve bought 3 of the 10.5” 7.62x39 uppers over the years. Changed out the firing pin and have had great luck with wolf & tulammo steel

I bought the firing pin when I bought the gun, I just didn’t put it in……..

[andre3k]

I'm the one that posted the original thread. I picked up one in 7.62x39 and 300 blk. The 7.62x39 has been very reliable. I replaced the firing pin and installed a heavier hammer spring to ensure reliability with steel case ammo. So far so good. I havent shot the 300 blk yet.

My biggest gripe with Radical is they don't mark the calibers on the barrels. Both of my a2 muzzle devices were canted quite a bit as well.

[Plain Lucky]

I'm the one that posted the original thread. I picked up one in 7.62x39 and 300 blk. The 7.62x39 has been very reliable. I replaced the firing pin and installed a heavier hammer spring to ensure reliability with steel case ammo. So far so good. I havent shot the 300 blk yet.

My biggest gripe with Radical is they don't mark the calibers on the barrels. Both of my a2 muzzle devices were canted quite a bit as well.

Thank you sir, here is the link to your original thread for those that missed it:

https://www.texasbowhunter.com/discussions/forums/forum/topics/the-other-side-of-the-ranch-firearms/877188-radical-ar-deal-alert

[Davclidav]

No problem with mine in 5.56

[DonBon]

I haven’t any issues with my 5.56. I did replace the trigger from the factory one but I do that with most guns.
KYGUNCO still has them for $399 now in colors.

[DaveC]

Another update-
I went back to the range with the 6.5 Grendel and my cans.
I added JP reduced springs to the Larue trigger since my last post- this made the trigger delightfully tolerable.
I then donated the Larue springs to the 556 which made its trigger tolerable as well.
The 556, for whatever reason came with a better trigger than the Grendel trigger from the get-go.

On the Grendel - Shooting Hornady Black 123 ELD's- this gun is surprisingly accurate, point of aim didn't alter between my 2 suppressors' (different brands and sizes) so that makes not having to dedicate one to it easier. I did get a few hang ups from being what I assume is over gassed (bolt slamming into case of next live unfed round) So I now have some adjustable gas blocks on the way. Yeah, more things to do....

The 556- I forgot its mag and thread adapter so I tried shooting it unsuppressed with the 6.5 Grendel mag. This didn't go so well.
I'm not sure if it was mag related or not, but it would feed the second round but not go bang. The second round would be fully chambered as using the forward assist wouldn't push it further, but still no pop. Each first round would fire, each auto loaded following round would not. Not sure how the mag would cause that, but until I return with a 556 mag I can't rule it out.
Its accuracy as a single shot was also surprisingly better than acceptable.

Both guns look to be at least MOA if not less while looking through a spotting scope (public range, can't pull targets on the regular).

These were purchased as good deals I could possibly use for trade bait later. But the gun tinkering gnome that lives in my head wouldn't let me leave them boxed up.
I talked myself into setting the 6.5 up since finding 6.8 ammo (my preferred pig thumper) is starting to become a thing. Dumb excuse, but Mr. gnome talked me into it.
He then talked me into setting up the 556 for off season lease trips for cheap pig or coon duty.

I bought some problems (due to my toying with them) that now I need to solve.
Because I didn't have enough on my to do list already.......yeah no.

[Plain Lucky]

Has anyone noticed the LOP on these rifles being less than other AR's? My Grendel seemed short and I measured it vs my Rock River AR15 and it was about 3/4" shorter. I'm still learning when it comes to AR work. Any recommendations on where to order a longer buffer tube?

Also, the factor buttstock often collapses during consecutive firing. I've replaced it with a Magpul stock but haven't fired it yet to see if that resolved the issue.