First range trip DPMS SASS

[Zeus87]

I picked up a like new SASS (.308 version) from a member here a while back, and finally got a chance to shoot it today.

I brought some Federal 168gr SMK, the rifle shot great, and seemed to shoot pretty consistently at around.5 MOA

After my 28th shot, I had a failure to extract. I manually dropped the bolt and it grabbed the casing. Three shots later the same thing happened, I again dropped the bolt, and after the second time it grabbed the spent shell. I decided to pull the bolt to see what I could find..bingo, both corners of the extractor were non existent. Fluke or what? Previous owner stated no problems, other than making sure the bolt stayed wet during the break-in that it jams up a little if not.

After checking over my brass, I noticed pretty good size dent at the lip of the neck on each spent round as well, any relation?

I'm relatively new, and appreciate the advice.

 

[fastex500]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS

Could be extractor spring (seems to be a common issue on DPMS BCG):

http://www.ar15tactical.net/ar15_extractors.htm

http://762ar.com/dpms-lr-308-precision-rifle/

Or could be a rough chamber, which several people have reported. Look for longitudinal scarring on the brass. If you are getting long scratches/gouges on the brass, DPMS will probably smooth the chamber for you.

But my guess would be the extractor. Get a new one and an upgraded spring.

 

[USACS]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS

Replace your extractor and extractor components as the first course of action. Then clean out the inside of the chamber with a chamber brush and then patches and cleaner.
After that, check for the longitudinal scratching. If there is, I would suggest you either polish the chamber yourself, or have a local gunsmith do it. Don't send it back to DPMS. DPMS has a long history of not fixing things because of either laziness or general incompetence. If you do a search on here, you'll find one or two rifles that were sent back to DPMS and when the rifle was returned, it was clearly a hack-job.

We have several agencies here in the Twin Cities that have DPMS rifles due to DPMS being 45 minutes away from the metro area. There are several agencies that have had to send rifles up 2 or 3 times before the problems were fixed correctly. If the warranty is gone, don't bother dealing with DPMS any further on repairs.

The other option is to rebarrel the rifle with either a new DPMS SASS barrel for $299, or switch to another company's LR308 compatible barrel, like a Rainier Arms UltraMatch (Shilen blank), Lothar-Walther or Krieger.

 

[Zeus87]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS

Very good, thanks guys. I got in contacted with Mark at DPMS, he sent out a new extractor and spring free of charge, I thought that was pretty cool. I will be sure to check for scratches in the chamber. Now some say it should be a little rough in there to assist in grabbing the case, while others say polishing it smooth? Cases look great other than the dent on the neck... Some say beefing up the spring ad buffer is a good idea with these rifles, what do you think? Thanks again.

 

[thehjot]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS

I've heard the same thing about getting a heavier buffer and spring for the DPMS. I'm waiting on mine to get here still, so I haven't tried it yet personally. I'm interested to know what you find out though.

 

[USACS]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS

It's not uncommon for DPMS .308s to be overgassed. It's not on every model, but it's a problem that has been reported on and identified. It's very possible that the timing on the rifle is off, and the bolt is trying to extract too early when the cartridge is still expanded. This can be mitigated by a heavier buffer and spring, as well as upgrading the extractor spring.

 

[WldWldWest]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS

Can you post a pick of the brass? Just curious?

My SASS was terribly overgassed, Put an adjustable gas block on it and problem was solved. Suppressed or not it run's and shoot's extremely well.

Doug

 

[Zeus87]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS

I will be looking into different spring and buffer options. I will post up a picture for you tomorrow, I left my camera at work. Just curious, what gas block did you go with? I hear there aren't many options due to odd barrel OD.

 

[Zeus87]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS (Pics Added)

Insomnia strikes again...

 

[SheepsClothes]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS (Pics Added)

I think the magazine tabs on my DPMS are denying the shoulder on my brass. They come out wrecked.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS (Pics Added)

When the cases do come out of the chamber properly where are they landing? It could be that they are coming out at the 5:00 position and hitting violently on your brass defector. How is the deflector looking - lots of brass marks.

 

[Zeus87]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS (Pics Added)

I used a pmag. I think that is what is going on, they are landing about 2 o'clock, but the deflector is showing quite a bit of brass marking... Resolution?

 

[Jethro3898]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS

The brass from my DPMS SASS looks the exact same as yours. I haven't started reloading yet, so it hasn't been a huge deal for me, but I have been collecting spent brass.

I would love to know how to fix this too.

 

[Zeus87]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS

Looking forward to getting the ejector in the mail, I think i'm going to stiffen it up with the o-ring mod. What causes such violent ejection? is this something normal?

 

[kengel2]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS

Brass is just hitting the deflector and getting dented. Put a layer of moleskin or the soft side of velcro on the deflector and see if that helps as well.

 

[WldWldWest]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Zeus87</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I will be looking into different spring and buffer options. I will post up a picture for you tomorrow, I left my camera at work. Just curious, what gas block did you go with? I hear there aren't many options due to odd barrel OD. </div></div>

I have the Proto type from Palidin Machine. He designed it so it would fit under the original hanguard with slight mod. of an existing hole in the handguard for adj.

 

[CajunAR]

Re: First range trip DPMS SASS

My brass looks almost identical to those pictured, i've always commented on how rough looking the brass is, but never really considered it an issue. I'll be watching this thread to see if your changes affect the condition of the spent brass.

That way if it does i have another little project to do. I have been reloading my brass just fine and it continues to put out great accuracy, just looks like it gets in a fight with the brass during firing most times.