Looking for opinions on Radical Firearms uppers

[Bikebreath]

Take enough off so that the receiver is bare aluminum all the way around... You want to use a fair amount of pressure, but not for too long. Better to take it off early, clean and inspect, and take another pass or two or three than go for too long on one pass. Clean the lapping tool with each pass and use fresh lapping compound and oil on the extension that goes into the receiver. Mobil synthetic one is a good option to lube the extension of the tool.

Ya know what? I could just shoot it and see how it groups. It might be good to go right outta the box.

 

[Mdeng]

If you want to true it up let me know I have one of the tools.

 

[Bikebreath]

If you want to true it up let me know I have one of the tools.

I may take you up on the offer. Let me test it and see. I'll bring the upper and beer of your choice, for wear and tear on the tool

(Almost said, "for the wear and tear on your tool", but the phrase freaked me out).

 

[Bikebreath]

If you want to true it up let me know I have one of the tools.

Note: waiting for funds for bolt and charging handle, so it may be awhile.

 

[Major03]

It's worth truing it.

 

[Mdeng]

I may take you up on the offer. Let me test it and see. I'll bring the upper and beer of your choice, for wear and tear on the tool

(Almost said, "for the wear and tear on your tool", but the phrase freaked me out).

No beer for me, I don't drink anymore and it's not necessary. Oh and I read it as "your" the first time. I was already looking for the out of context thread.

 

[Melnic]

NOt a 16" but I have a 10.5" Radical upper.
I have a RED dot on it and its not accurate right now but I have not fully figured things out with it.
Was told in another thread by a respected individual that Radical had not been putting out good barrels (one person's educated experience).
Jury is still out on mine. If someone has real world experience with their 16" barrels that that is the end all.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

Maybe DeamonAssasin will wonder by and offer to hold my hand.

ETA: What's the name of the tool?

If you want to slide over one day and use it, you are welcome to do so. Save yourself the money on it, if you are only going to be doing a few.

So far I have used mine on 15-20 uppers and I started getting concerned about it developing a rim, so I asked a friend of mine that is a machinist to resurface it. He still has it, but before I asked him for help in resurfacing the tool, he and I lapped 1 or 2 of his uppers and he offered to make a few for me as a thank you for all the help I have given him with multiple rifle builds. I have one of the ones that he made, so I am good to go any time you want to do it. I'll be getting my original one back in the near future.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

Take enough off so that the receiver is bare aluminum all the way around... You want to use a fair amount of pressure, but not for too long. Better to take it off early, clean and inspect, and take another pass or two or three than go for too long on one pass. Clean the lapping tool with each pass and use fresh lapping compound and oil on the extension that goes into the receiver. Mobil synthetic one is a good option to lube the extension of the tool.

I guess I did a good job in passing along the knowledge that was give to me.

 

[Bikebreath]

If you want to slide over one day and use it, you are welcome to do so. Save yourself the money on it, if you are only going to be doing a few.

So far I have used mine on 15-20 uppers and I started getting concerned about it developing a rim, so I asked a friend of mine that is a machinist to resurface it. He still has it, but before I asked him for help in resurfacing the tool, he and I lapped 1 or 2 of his uppers and he offered to make a few for me as a thank you for all the help I have given him with multiple rifle builds. I have one of the ones that he made, so I am good to go any time you want to do it. I'll be getting my original one back in the near future.

Probably less than a few. Not much of an AR guy. I'm an IDPA guy looking for few 3gun events.

I have MDeng all excited about abusing his tool, but if you are closer to 21211 than S. Md I'd be grateful for your help. Not in any hurry.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

Probably less than a few. Not much of an AR guy. I'm an IDPA guy looking for few 3gun events.

I have MDeng all excited about abusing his tool, but if you are closer to 21211 than S. Md I'd be grateful for your help. Not in any hurry.

How does 45-55 minutes from you sound? I'm a straight shot up 70, near the Frederick MVA.

 

[DaemonAssassin]

It's worth truing it.

How is your accuracy with truing and free floating? You see any noticeable changes or difference in platforms that haven't been trued or floated?

 

[Bikebreath]

How does 45-55 minutes from you sound? I'm a straight shot up 70, near the Frederick MVA.

I guess Mdeng is going to have to abuse his own tool. PM coming.

 

[Major03]

How is your accuracy with truing and free floating? You see any noticeable changes or difference in platforms that haven't been trued or floated?

Hey DA, how's it going?

Well, the .300 BO we trued shoots great, about 1'' at 100 yds with an EOTech red dot...so I'm more than happy with it. Not having shot it before truing it, I don't have a comparison to go by...but I'm very happy with how it shoots. Especially since it was a learning experience lol.

The Radical 5.55 pistol upper I just trued with Jamie, I haven't had a chance to shoot yet, so I'll report back when I can.

I will say that Jamie built a .300 BO pistol upper after we met and before he trued it the receiver was visually a little off and his sights were horizontally shifted significantly from mechanical zero. After truing the receiver, they were aligned right where they should be. Not necessarily an increase in accuracy...but a testimony that things clearly weren't aligned "out of the box."

Again, thanks for taking the time to pass on a little knowledge and know how. Cheers.

 

[BradMacc82]

Had to cancel my order and dispute the charge with Radical. Looking at the claims and D-rating with the BBB, it seems lack of communication and extended delivery times seem to be a common theme.

Order placed 12/29/17, payment processed 01/02/18. First e-mail inquiry made about lead time on order, 01/07 (no response yet). Attempted contact thru their FB page 01/17 (no response yet). Just got off the phone with the bank, claim in process for refund.

For the record, I was only interested in the Panzer style muzzle brake.

 

[j_h_smith]

Sorry to hear that. Its' getting more and more difficult to find a good vendor to purchase from any more. I don't know what to say.

 

[BradMacc82]

I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, SHOT Show and all that jazz - 5/8x32TPI brakes being an odd-ish item.

But not responding to any inquiries, e-mail or FB. No listed phone #, aside from a fax # for FFLs - it doesn't inspire confidence. And after reading the complaints filed with the BBB, it took what little confidence was left and chucked that out the window.

Buyer Beware.

 

[wreckdiver]

I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, SHOT Show and all that jazz - 5/8x32TPI brakes being an odd-ish item.

But not responding to any inquiries, e-mail or FB. No listed phone #, aside from a fax # for FFLs - it doesn't inspire confidence. And after reading the complaints filed with the BBB, it took what little confidence was left and chucked that out the window.

Buyer Beware.

I shipped back a 7.5 pistol upper because of a loose barrel extension. Apparently it was a known issue with some of their early barrels. Shipped it back on 1/9/18. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

 

[BradMacc82]

I shipped back a 7.5 pistol upper because of a loose barrel extension. Apparently it was a known issue with some of their early barrels. Shipped it back on 1/9/18. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Likely due from the barrel and extension being coated at the same time, instead of individually, and then being assembled.

Hopefully you have better luck than I did.

 

[BossmanPJ]

I shipped back a 7.5 pistol upper because of a loose barrel extension. Apparently it was a known issue with some of their early barrels. Shipped it back on 1/9/18. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

I had an issue with them as well. I wanted a rail setup off of a Radical factory assembled upper. It was a Seekins rail I believe and I threw it in the vice block. I put a wrench on the birdcage flash hider to remove it and POP. The entire barrel unscrewed from the extension. Bent the hell out of the gas tube.

This was a melonite coated barrel and extension.

Don’t buy a Radical upper.