Volquartsen Extractor Problem
About a year ago I got a Volquartsen Evolution, basically a 10/22 looking centerfire 223 with an AR type locking bolt. It won't go 100 rounds without a major problem, I'm about to sell it or send it back to Volquartsen with an "You Owe Me" note for $2,000.00. Specifically ....
First time at the range, after about 100 rounds the bolt shattered causing the carrier to be stuck partway open and frozen solid in the receiver. I sent it back to Vol and they repaired it.
On the very next outing the extractor (similar to an AR) failed, the lip fractured. So I called Vol, they sent me two drop in replacements. I used one to replace the broken one, put the other in my range bag.
Today (2nd time out after replacing the failed extractor) after about 80 rounds the same thing happened to the just installed replacement extractor - extractor lip fractured when firing, leaving the empty round in the chamber.
I very much like this rifle, but there is a problem and I have no faith in it. I'm shooting plain old American brass cased 223 ammo, there is no commonality in the ammo causing the problem.
Does anyone have info on a design flaw on this rifle or heard of similar problems? If there's a design problem I figure others have experienced it also.
If it's not a design problem, then it must be an execution problem with my rifle, either in the design or manufacture of the extractor or the rifle itself. I don't think two extractors, made a year or so apart, would have the same breakage problem. My SWAG is that the extractor is not breaking as a result of yanking the brass case from the chamber, it' breaking because it's striking the rear face of the barrel or the locking lug recess when the bolt slams closed, or it's otherwise striking steel in the locking recess in the barrel where it is screwed into the receiver.
Any ideas on the problem?
First time at the range, after about 100 rounds the bolt shattered causing the carrier to be stuck partway open and frozen solid in the receiver. I sent it back to Vol and they repaired it.
On the very next outing the extractor (similar to an AR) failed, the lip fractured. So I called Vol, they sent me two drop in replacements. I used one to replace the broken one, put the other in my range bag.
Today (2nd time out after replacing the failed extractor) after about 80 rounds the same thing happened to the just installed replacement extractor - extractor lip fractured when firing, leaving the empty round in the chamber.
I very much like this rifle, but there is a problem and I have no faith in it. I'm shooting plain old American brass cased 223 ammo, there is no commonality in the ammo causing the problem.
Does anyone have info on a design flaw on this rifle or heard of similar problems? If there's a design problem I figure others have experienced it also.
If it's not a design problem, then it must be an execution problem with my rifle, either in the design or manufacture of the extractor or the rifle itself. I don't think two extractors, made a year or so apart, would have the same breakage problem. My SWAG is that the extractor is not breaking as a result of yanking the brass case from the chamber, it' breaking because it's striking the rear face of the barrel or the locking lug recess when the bolt slams closed, or it's otherwise striking steel in the locking recess in the barrel where it is screwed into the receiver.
Any ideas on the problem?
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quote:Originally posted by dfletcher
About a year ago I got a Volquartsen Evolution, basically a 10/22 looking centerfire 223 with an AR type locking bolt. It won't go 100 rounds without a major problem, I'm about to sell it or send it back to Volquartsen with an "You Owe Me" note for $2,000.00. Specifically ....
First time at the range, after about 100 rounds the bolt shattered causing the carrier to be stuck partway open and frozen solid in the receiver. I sent it back to Vol and they repaired it.
On the very next outing the extractor (similar to an AR) failed, the lip fractured. So I called Vol, they sent me two drop in replacements. I used one to replace the broken one, put the other in my range bag.
Today (2nd time out after replacing the failed extractor) after about 80 rounds the same thing happened to the just installed replacement extractor - extractor lip fractured when firing, leaving the empty round in the chamber.
I very much like this rifle, but there is a problem and I have no faith in it. I'm shooting plain old American brass cased 223 ammo, there is no commonality in the ammo causing the problem.
Does anyone have info on a design flaw on this rifle or heard of similar problems? If there's a design problem I figure others have experienced it also.
If it's not a design problem, then it must be an execution problem with my rifle, either in the design or manufacture of the extractor or the rifle itself. I don't think two extractors, made a year or so apart, would have the same breakage problem. My SWAG is that the extractor is not breaking as a result of yanking the brass case from the chamber, it' breaking because it's striking the rear face of the barrel or the locking lug recess when the bolt slams closed, or it's otherwise striking steel in the locking recess in the barrel where it is screwed into the receiver.
Any ideas on the problem?
Your swag would be wrong.
What you describe is a metallurgical problem.
You should have been noting some deformation before it broke. Added to that you state it "shattered".
Pictures would help, but if its as you say, then the metal is to brittle lacking sufficient elasticity to withstand the forces incurred.
This could be due to the wrong choice of metals, or improper heat treat. I give a high probability to the improper heat treat.
However, all that withstanding, I would not shoot it any more. If it's suspect to being brittle, it could go kaboom on you.
Thats the closest thing I can give you without seeing pictures and lab data, but I'd bet even money on it.0 -
Thanks for the response, regarding the first problem there was no warning and I should have written that the bolt locking lugs shattered, not the bolt itself or the bolt carrier. The original bolt body was brittle and it's been replaced entirely of course.
Regarding metallurgy, specifically that of the extractor because that's what failed on two separate occasions, that was my first thought also - too brittle. But the extractors are of the AR type and were made at least a year or so apart. So either Volquartsen is making or heat treating them incorrectly en masse or I just got unlucky as heck - or the extractors are fine, but somehow being subject to unusual stress or pounding.
The cases left in the chamber when the extractor failed each dropped out easily - they were not "stuck cases".
I'll be talking with Volquartsen Monday, deciding whether to send it back for them to look at and test or just drop in a new extractor myself and sell the darn thing.0 -
I am very interested in Volquartsen's response as I have one of those purchased about the same time as youts. Have had no problem but have not shot it that much. Pls post response. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by cowboy77845
I am very interested in Volquartsen's response as I have one of those purchased about the same time as yours. Have had no problem but have not shot it that much. Pls post response.
I just spoke with Volquartsen Customer Service and informed them of the issue. They stated there have been problems reported with the bolt and their fix is a redesigned bolt head and different heat treatment of the parts. The extractor was not the problem per se, but it was the part that showed breakage/wear first. Evidently the original design subjects the bolt head and extractor to greater stress than anticipated. They are going to send me a new bolt head and a new extractor free of charge.
In addition to the extractor breakage problem and considering the first problem I had - which to my sort of untrained eye seemed like an out of battery firing - it may be best to call them and request replacement parts.
All in all I'm very happy with their response - they called me back, answered my e-mail, knew the fix and are sending the parts free of charge.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dfletcher
So either Volquartsen is making or heat treating them incorrectly en masse or I just got unlucky as heck - or the extractors are fine, but somehow being subject to unusual stress or pounding.
It could be as simple as they had a bad lot from a sub contractor, or it could be they received a bad MTR (material test report) from the steel manufacturer.
Volquartsen usually puts out a quality product, but they are no more immune to a material problems from a sub or materials supplier trying to scrimp or getting over zealous with their 6 sigma program, than any one else.
One thing that is clear, the parts are not what they should be.0 -
I called this AM. No problem,parts to be shipped out today. It is really nice to talk to a real person about a problem and have action taken quickly. Wish some of the other vendors would do this. I appreciate your posting the problem here. It was a great help to me. I do not shoot a lot at a time. Who knows when I might have experienced the problem. With my luck probably after Volquartsen is our of business. Thank you. 0 -
Yep, any company can make a mistake or bad product, how they handle the problem is what separates the great from the good and the bad. I have an adjustable buttplate on mine, there's a hole similar to that in the M1A - I plan on dropping in the "obsolete" bolt head & extractor as a spare. 0
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