Concern about MK22 handguard cracking during first barrel change

[Shawn M]

Hi everyone, I wanted to share my recent experience with the Barrett MK22, because I was honestly surprised and think it’s worth discussing.


I own an MK22 with relatively light use (under 200 rounds). Recently, I purchased a 7.62 barrel conversion kit together with the official MK22 armorer’s tool kit directly from Barrett. When I went to install the new barrel for the very first time, using the supplied 140 in-lbs torque limiter and the Torx Plus T30 bit exactly as marked on the receiver, the handguard cracked while tightening to spec.


This was the first time I ever swapped the barrel, using the correct official tools and following the manual step by step. I didn’t expect something like this to happen on a rifle of this quality.


I’m already reaching out to Barrett for warranty support, but I also wanted to post here to see if other MK22 owners have run into similar problems. Even if it’s a rare defect, I think it’s important to share so others know what to look out for.


Has anyone else experienced this, or heard of MK22 handguards cracking during barrel changes?


Thanks for reading.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

It will be interesting to see what comes of this but I had a practically new All In One Fix-It Sticks torque driver lock up on me so that it was stuck reading a lower torque but it would just let me keep turning. I caught the issue before any damage was done and contacted them for a replacement. I could easily see a similar situation playing out where that 140 in/lbs driver is locked up so it just keeps letting you turn waiting for that click that will never come and then pop, the aluminum gives way. It might be worth touching base with Fix It Sticks to get their thoughts.

Or the Barrett had a defect in it.

 

[rustyinbend]

I have the civilian MRAD version and swap barrels all the time between 300-NM, 300-PRC, and 338-LM. Never seen anything like this ... ever. I do think it's interesting about the whole Fix-It-Stick possibility of a stuck ratchet resulting in potential over-tightening. I use THIS ... one on the reloading bench and one in my range bag ... and it's excellent. Keep us posted on what you learn as you work with Barrett on explaining this. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Chief_Rick]

It will be interesting to see what comes of this but I had a practically new All In One Fix-It Sticks torque driver lock up on me so that it was stuck reading a lower torque but it would just let me keep turning. I caught the issue before any damage was done and contacted them for a replacement. I could easily see a similar situation playing out where that 140 in/lbs driver is locked up so it just keeps letting you turn waiting for that click that will never come and then pop, the aluminum gives way. It might be worth touching base with Fix It Sticks to get their thoughts.

Or the Barrett had a defect in it.

How do you test a Fix-It-Stick prior to applying the torque?

I have a regular torque wrench that failed, and had I not been working my way up to the needed torque value I would have probably caused damage as well.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I don't know how you'd test it but I caught my issue in a similar way that you did, just knowing by feel that it didn't seem right and trusting my experience instead of believing the tool. We can't say that definitely it was the 140 in/lb torque limiter, I was just pointing out a potential cause.

OP, how did you tighten the screws down? I know you said that you followed the manual but what does that mean exactly?

 

[TahoeDust]

If you bought the tool directly from Barrett and it failed, they should make you whole all around.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

I'm hypothesizing here but I think maybe Barrett's manual doesn't help this situation either.

Note in this screenshot from the Barrett instruction video they specifically note to start the torque at rear action screw but alternate tightening between the front and rear.

Both instructions are saying similar things but read one way, the manual is instructing the end user to go to full torque on the screws starting at the rear and then going to the front one. Looking at the OP's pictures again it looks like the failure occurred at the front retaining screw so if he was tightening the front on the way to 140 in/lbs before tightening the rear, I think it's very possible that caused the failure. Of course this is all just speculation based on my observations.

 

[Mike173]

This is not necessarily the fix it sticks, these happened to a slew of the MK22s across the regiment and if I recall the entire military. You should be able to get a replacement. Best of luck, I hate this happened to you right off the bat.

 

[carbonbased]

This is not necessarily the fix it sticks, these happened to a slew of the MK22s across the regiment and if I recall the entire military. You should be able to get a replacement. Best of luck, I hate this happened to you right off the bat.

Yeah, the posts below suggests that certain earlier MK22’s crack. I was waiting for someone to chime in, as I’m no expert on this and do not own a MK22.

The "New" Barrett MRAD Thread!!!!!!

Sorry to hear your rifle is down with this issue. Please post up what the explanation / root cause is determined to be. Good luck. Will do. I submitted a RMA request today. Until now, the rifle exceed expectations

www.snipershide.com

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Well, I take back the torque driver and manual thing, looks like Barrett has a deeper issue.

 

[waveslayer]

Did you torque it down with the barrel inserted or the barrel out?

 

[Terry Cross]

Per some of the posts shared above, you didn't necessarily do anything wrong to induce the problem and the Fix-It-Sticks thingy is not necessarily out of spec. There have been a piss load of failures with the MRADs. Cracked receivers and trigger groups deciding to send rounds without a trigger pull. Camp Robinson alone has LOTS of first hand accounts of both.

Hate you had this failure on an otherwise expensive and nice rifle.

Come back to this thread and post an update once you get a resolution.

 

[Edsel]

That’s horrible.

They should provide bumper - to - bumper coverage for this one…

On the side, have you also tested your rifle for that “firing pin release on bolt closure” issue?

Might as well have them address everything in one fell swoop.

 

[shlouf]

I don't know how you'd test it but I caught my issue in a similar way that you did, just knowing by feel that it didn't seem right and trusting my experience instead of believing the tool. We can't say that definitely it was the 140 in/lb torque limiter, I was just pointing out a potential cause.

OP, how did you tighten the screws down? I know you said that you followed the manual but what does that mean exactly?

Basic test could be tighten something down with another torque wrench to well over 140. Should get the click before tightening anymore