New POF P308 16.5"

[10MM Man]

Picked up my new POF P308 yesterday and gave it the once over. It seemed lighter than I thought it would be. A little front end heavy even with the scope mounted, but not extreme.
I grade it as follows: Fit and finish: 7.5. The receiver had two scratches which were deep enough to be visable after it was NP3 coated. The rail assembly is not completely straight, is closer to the gas block on the right side (looking at it from the muzzle). It isn't touching the block so it shouldn't be a problem. There is no way to adjust it. Upper receiver and lower mate perfectly, all seams are even and it is fairly tight without much movement between the two. No other visual defects. Bolt/carrier assembly fit well with no visual problems observed. Trigger pull was crisp around 4-5 lbs I guess, and reset was crisp. Not really too bad, a tad heavy, but no creep at all.
After disassembly and cleaning, I could hear something moving internal to the receiver as I tilted the muzzle up and down. I didn't break it back down again to figure out what it was. I thought it might be the piston rod, which would have meant the wrong rod was installed, but I would have heard it impact against the carrier or the gas block if that were the case. I'll get in there tonight and take a look.
I like the Magpule CTR stock, well made and the lock function works great. When it is locked down, there is no movement.
The grip is run-of-the-mill.
There was no test target, you'd think they'd provide that with a 2500.00 rifle, but it had been fired.
My 308 reloads for my hunting rifle are a little hot, so I picked up a couple of boxes of factory ammo. Holy mother of inflation! Wow, I haven't purchased factory stuff for years, I may not sit straight for a while. They didn't have any decent military surplus.
I'll get it on the range this weekend. Combined with the factory ammo I had stashed in my safe, I'll be able to test it with bullets from 150 grain to 180. Time to separate the hype from reality. I'll report back.

 

[KillShot]

Re: New POF 16.5"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hardcast</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Picked up my new POF yesterday and gave it the once over. It seemed lighter than I thought it would be. A little front end heavy even with the scope mounted, but not extreme.

<span style="font-weight: bold">I grade it as follows: Fit and finish: 7.5. The receiver had two scratches which were deep enough to be visable after it was NP3 coated.</span> The rail assembly is not completely straight, is closer to the gas block on the right side (looking at it from the muzzle). It isn't touching the block so it shouldn't be a problem. There is no way to adjust it. Upper receiver and lower mate perfectly, all seams are even and it is fairly tight without much movement between the two. No other visual defects. Bolt/carrier assembly fit well with no visual problems observed. Trigger pull was crisp around 4-5 lbs I guess, and reset was crisp. Not really too bad, a tad heavy, but no creep at all.

After disassembly and cleaning, I could hear something moving internal to the receiver as I tilted the muzzle up and down. I didn't break it back down again to figure out what it was. I thought it might be the piston rod, which would have meant the wrong rod was installed, but I would have heard it impact against the carrier or the gas block if that were the case. I'll get in there tonight and take a look.

I like the Magpule CTR stock, well made and the lock function works great. When it is locked down, there is no movement. The grip is run-of-the-mill.

There was no test target, you'd think they'd provide that with a 2500.00 rifle, but it had been fired.

My 308 reloads for my hunting rifle are a little hot, so I picked up a couple of boxes of factory ammo. Holy mother of inflation! Wow, I haven't purchased factory stuff for years, I may not sit straight for a while. They didn't have any decent military surplus.

I'll get it on the range this weekend. Combined with the factory ammo I had stashed in my safe, I'll be able to test it with bullets from 150 grain to 180. Time to separate the hype from reality. I'll report back.</div></div>

If it were ME, I would send it back because I am very meticulous and if I put the scratch on there myself, I can live with it. If I purchase a rifle and it arrives in my hands with a scratch/gouge and I just dropped $2500 for it, that's not 'okay'.

 

[10MM Man]

Re: New POF 16.5"

Killshot,
I want to see how it shoots first. If it's a tac driver I really don't want them touching it. You make a great point tho. I'm the same way. If the scratches were through the coating, it would already be on it's way back, but I can't be blamed for these scratches under the coating.

 

[redirt78]

Re: New POF 16.5"

There are set screws that contact the heat sink, you will see them if you ever go to take the rail off. Maybe one is run in farther than the other causing the rail to be off center. I didn't think that would be possible but since you said yours is not centered with the gas block I figured I would mention that.

If the carrier is in the locked back/empty position you can hear the piston/op rod slide inside the rifle. When it is in battery/locked forward there is only a tiny bit of movement between those two parts and you have to listen close to hear them.

Hope that helps. I also wouldn't want gouges in my brand new rifle especially if they are in the metal prior to coating.

 

[10MM Man]

Re: New POF 16.5"

You're both right about the scratches, QC I thought, shoud be done by the manufacturer not the customer. Maybe I've got the concept wrong. I'll give them a call. (I still want to see how it shoots though, can't resist) I'll look to see if I can see those set screws from the end of the rail. They're run in from the top just in front of the front most flat head hex screw?

 

[Blackrifle1]

Re: New POF P308 16.5"

I recently ordered a POF complete upper - 5.56. I already purchased the lower. I hope it shoots like a tac for you and you're happy!

 

[redirt78]

Re: New POF 16.5"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hardcast</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I'll look to see if I can see those set screws from the end of the rail. They're run in from the top just in front of the front most flat head hex screw? </div></div>

The ones I'm talking about are on the sides of the rail at 3 and 9 o clock where the rail covers the heat sink/barrel nut. I have an older M.R.R. rail though. The newer rails might not be the same.

 

[10MM Man]

Re: New POF 16.5"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Blackrifle1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I recently ordered a POF complete upper - 5.56. I already purchased the lower. I hope it shoots like a tac for you and you're happy!</div></div>

Thanks BR1.

 

[10MM Man]

Re: New POF P308 16.5"

I broke the rifle down this evening and found the rattle is coming from the buffer tube.I'll check it out before the range session . Also the barrel nut isn't contacting the fore end. There is clearance all the way down. I don't think it will be an issue. I checked the pull on the trigger, just over five pounds. I have a Geissele SDE I'm going to install before going to the range. Will report back with range results.

 

[HelenKellerTactical]

Re: New POF P308 16.5"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hardcast</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I broke the rifle down this evening and found the rattle is coming from the buffer tube.I'll check it out before the range session . Also the barrel nut isn't contacting the fore end. There is clearance all the way down. I don't think it will be an issue. I checked the pull on the trigger, just over five pounds. I have a Geissele SDE I'm going to install before going to the range. Will report back with range results. </div></div>

Mine does the same thing and I always wondered what it was. Good to know. Good post period. Just read the whole thing. Some smart guys on this website

 

[Sulenski]

Re: New POF P308 16.5"

Did the gun come with the POF TITS trigger or do they still offer the Timney with their rifles?

I got both of mine about 3 years ago but they still work and shoot like a dream.

The .308 is a bit more picky with ammo. It almost hates milsurp as far as accuracy goes but loves the match grade or hand loads.

5.56 has almost no recoil impulse and follow up shots are a dream.

As far as working the upper goes just check the set screws and see if any are setting deeper on one side to see if thats pushing the rail out of whack. There should be hex head screws at the 3 9 and 12 oclock positions. They all use a hex head although I cannot remember the size its something standard and you probably have one in the garage that fits. Each hole should have 2 screws as to not allow them to back out when the rifle is being used or transported.

 

[pnorris]

Re: New POF P308 16.5"

Hmmm, I have a .308 POF on order and now I am starting to hearing moanings about poor quality control and poor CS. Kind of makes me nervous about dropping the coin on this rifle. As such, what is the story with POF in the post-Hogan lawsuit era. Has their CS and QC suffered that bad or are these just isolated incidents. I was originally attracted to POF, as I had heard that they had outstanding QC and CS. Has that changed?

 

[tomthebaker]

Re: New POF P308 16.5"

I have a newer and an older POF 308, they are both perfectly awesome.

 

[65nut]

Re: New POF P308 16.5"

pnorris, i have had 4 pof rifles, never had an issue with any. 3 of them in 308 and one in 223. only issues i have EVER had was when the front sling stud attachment had a screw wobble loose and i lost it. they sent me 2 new ones 3 days later free of charge. other issue, was a shitty c products mag that used to come with the rifle. called and told them what was wrong had a new one again within 3 business days. their rifles are awesome, their customer service is amazing. you shouldnt have any 2nd thoughts or doubts when buying a p.o.f.

my buddy bought a gen 3 stripped lower, and he admitted to them about how he had stripped out the bolt release when assembling the lower, they sent him a new one free of charge even though it was his own fuck up.

 

[10MM Man]

Re: New POF P308 16.5"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pnorris</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hmmm, I have a .308 POF on order and now I am starting to hearing moanings about poor quality control and poor CS. Kind of makes me nervous about dropping the coin on this rifle. As such, what is the story with POF in the post-Hogan lawsuit era. Has their CS and QC suffered that bad or are these just isolated incidents. I was originally attracted to POF, as I had heard that they had outstanding QC and CS. Has that changed?</div></div>

I don't think what I have seen on my rifle are major issues. Most weapons (semi-automatic) I own or have owned have had some kind of issue and had to be sent back a time or two. Really the only semi-auto I had no issues with whatsoever is a HK MR556. To me the only unforgivable issue is if the weapon isn't accurate or reliable. If I can't get it to shoot, it's gone. I'll give it every effort first. I've had pretty pricy 1911s which had to be worked on more than once to make them reliable enough that I'd trust them. The scratches under the coating on this POF are not really an issue, 8 out of 10 people wouldn't even notice them. If the rail is up against one of the set screws, that is a big issue and will have to be resolved. I haven't removed the rail because none of my hex wrenches fits the head of the screws tightly enough and they are torque'd to 25 inch/pounds. I don't want to strip one out. I am going to see if a metric fits more snugly, or perhaps a standard hex socket.
Bottom line you have to be patient and work through whatever problems you might have. It's kind of like raising a dog. You have to be patient going through the puppy stage. The end reward is a weapon you're happy with and trust.

 

[10MM Man]

Re: New POF P308 16.5"

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sulenski</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Did the gun come with the POF TITS trigger or do they still offer the Timney with their rifles?

I got both of mine about 3 years ago but they still work and shoot like a dream.

The .308 is a bit more picky with ammo. It almost hates milsurp as far as accuracy goes but loves the match grade or hand loads.

5.56 has almost no recoil impulse and follow up shots are a dream.

As far as working the upper goes just check the set screws and see if any are setting deeper on one side to see if thats pushing the rail out of whack. There should be hex head screws at the 3 9 and 12 oclock positions. They all use a hex head although I cannot remember the size its something standard and you probably have one in the garage that fits. Each hole should have 2 screws as to not allow them to back out when the rifle is being used or transported.

</div></div>

I installed the Geissele, the trigger that came out was POF. It's a very nicely built trigger. The Geissele is awsome. I'll try and check the set screws tomorrow night.

 

[redirt78]

Re: New POF P308 16.5"

The blue POF TITS Trigger is made by Timney and most break between 4.5 and 5.5 pounds. I took mine out of the 20" P308 and swapped it with a 3 pound Timney. I put the 4-5 pound TITS in my 16" 5.56 and I like them much better that way.