Had one a month ago and had the same problem. Spoke to Brownell's and they confirmed there was a batch that was not correct in the gas setting. If you change the gas setting to suppressed it would work fine, without a suppressor. They swapped mine out, the whole upper, at no charge and the new one worked out of the box, no issues at all. I would give them a call and wait to talk to a live person. They were really on top of it.
I used the suppressed setting as well. Wouldn't cycle at all. As it should do in that setting. The upper works well now after changing the charging handle. Zero issues.
In December of 2023 I received my BRN 180 / 223 18.5 inch upper. Before the weather got bad here in Ohio, I put from 100 to 200 rounds through it and had about a 40% failure rate of either short stroking or stove piping. Classic marks of casings denting aluminum receiver and brass marks on charging handle.... often had casing trapped between charging handle and receiver. Sent Brownells an email off today stating the same and asked them what I should do to insure reliability of the upper to start this shooting season. Meanwhile, I have ordered a charging handle, just like yours, from A3 Tactical today.
I knew I couldn't have been the only one. Mine has been running great. But I won't put that out on video for another 300 rnds or so. I appreciate you watching!
@PrimalDefenseCo Love it so far. Still playing around with different bullets and loads. #1 Son went with 5.5" suppressed, #2 got him an Extar EP9 6.5" 9mm.
For sure. The rifle has been running flawlessly now..but I still need to run it a bit more before I trust it enough to defend my family. Recoil is soft , shoots flat, super fast cycling. The Geislle trigger helps with that. But still.
@@pinoygunsusa1810 mine worked ok shooting singles. Maybe doubles. Slow shooting. If I picked up the pace it could not go through a mag. After changing the charging handle it stopped giving me trouble.
Was the original charging handle giving you trouble? Just curious. I might give the Wolfpack a go. I didn't choose this handle for any particular reason. Just did. So far it has worked great.
I had similar issues with my brass and went with a3’s product. Long story short it didn’t fit and went with a competitor. Great video, and shop around is my advice
It did!!! I truly appreciate your video, you did the leg work I needed. Once you showed the picture of the brass with that dent on it I immediately compared mine, identical. Thanks again, problem solved
Have you tried firing the weapon with the ejection port cover closed with either the original charging handle or the straight one? Were there any issues? I’ve noticed that many aftermarket straight charging handles say that you may have to open the ejection port to prevent malfunction
Good to see you’ve figured out how to make your rifle reliable, but I was going to tell you since the upper is produced by PWS, they would be the ones you go to for any customer service. Those gauges and on the receiver are a huge “no, no”! PWS should do right by you! Great video!
You are absolutely right. But since it has their name on it, I thought I would reach out to them first. I had already pinned the barrel and didn't want to go through the trouble. I'm a little disappointed that there was not more communication on their part. But it's running good now. Still need to test it some more as I did have an ejection issue. It hasn't happened again so, I'll keep my eye on it. I'll see what happens these next 500 rounds.
Always do slow motion video footage of the rifle cycling to diagnose. Confirm visually what is going on: ua-cam.com/video/T4oQ2_ae3cM/v-deo.html The shape of the brn180's charging handle is there to catch brass in a specific way so it doesn't slam into the part of the receiver where the dust cover snaps into. Where you showed you're now getting excessive wear. Watch the ejection pattern under slow-mo. With that straight charging handle I'm guessing it's slamming into that specific spot now. With the S shaped handle, it probably won't. Instead of swapping, I would have reshaped the part of the original charging handle where the brass was hitting so it defected where I wanted. Sucks to have to do that on a new gun, but that would be the more elegant solution when thinking longevity. Also note the charging handle is heat treated steel and quite tough. Not something a hand file would get done.
The rifle is working well now. It also had a failure to eject I caught on slow mo. The ejector pin was stuck. It has not done it again. I do have my eye on it though.
Serious question, as I am confused. Why did it run more reliably with hotter/heavier ammo? That is, I could run through 40-50 rounds without a problem, but 55gr .223 would stove pipe every two to three rounds. It doesn't do that anymore after changing the charging handle and the brass is no longer being damaged.
I also sent Brownells a chat message. Their reps did not seem to have much knowledge on the rifle, and we're not very eager to make it right. In their defense, at this point I don't want a return. The upper has a permanently mounted pinned brake. However, it would have been nice for them to contact me first and try and get me answers on how to correct the problem. I'm confident enough that I can remove the gas system completely and reinstall it if I need to.
Hey, I'm having similar issues that you are describing. I have a 14.5 barrel with muzzle brake. I have been using the unsupressed gas setting but I am going to try shooting next on the supressed setting to try and rule out the over gassed possibility. If that doesn't work then i will change the charging handle (which i wanted to change the look of anyway). If you try these different settings also i would be curious to hear what results you get.
I can't see my original response so here it goes again; I've used the suppressed setting. The bolt won't move an inch. I have not shot it suppressed. I will as soon as the can gets here. I am going to try a variety of rounds that are easier on the senses as this brake really rattles your face 😂. Super loud.
@PrimalDefenseCo haha ya but it shoots so smoothly! I'll give different ammo a try too. I'm just looking for any info I can. I can't seem to find many resources about this particular scenario. I hope that it doesn't turn out to really be the charging handle. Just seems unfortunate that the upper wouldn't be usable the way it comes.
@@williamleahy7841 I didn't plan on changing the handle until I saw the damage to the casings. I have shot the rifle a bunch since. I have not had the issue repeat itself.
Check your guide rail bolt. This bolt also holds the bump stop for the stock. If loose and gouges are present, send it back. The upper is damaged. The G3 version is supposed to have improvements to the rails, and will likely have a forward removed piston with 5+ settings. Which is why I have a JAKL, and am waiting for the G3 to drop.
“Stove pipe”. When a spent casing gets caught in the action between the breech face and the chamber. The casing looks like the pipe of an old school stove sticking out.
I wish i wouldve seen this sooner and known about the A3 website. I reload and have the same issue, it destroys the brass mouth, making it unusable. I just ordered the Wolfpack one hoping to mitigate this issue, and it just shipped. The A3 one looks way better, as it has an alignment lug, the wolfpack doesnt. So...i just ordered the A3 one as well, after you dropped the name. Now i have two to try out. I also ordered another brownells one to experiment with. I cut, rewelded, changed the angle with a torch by heating and bending. Same thing. This wouldve been a cheaper option, now im something like $100 into charging handles😂. At least i have hope now. 😊 Also, The piston disassembly doesnt need the gas block removed to take it apart. Its a legit puzzle, and it gets me everytime. theres an order you need to take it apart after you pull the spring back. it slides in and out perfect. I dont have the gun in front of me to describe it, but believe me, its a puzzle, and there is a sequence.
Really appreciate the feedback. The casing will still be hit, but so far no damage. At least not that I can see. I don’t reload, so I’m sure there are things that you look for. Either way, they definitely do not end up all messed up like before the handle change. I will try and figure out the gas piston. I’ll probably order extra parts for this thing. Just in case. Still in the testing phase.
Had one a month ago and had the same problem. Spoke to Brownell's and they confirmed there was a batch that was not correct in the gas setting. If you change the gas setting to suppressed it would work fine, without a suppressor. They swapped mine out, the whole upper, at no charge and the new one worked out of the box, no issues at all. I would give them a call and wait to talk to a live person. They were really on top of it.
I used the suppressed setting as well. Wouldn't cycle at all. As it should do in that setting.
The upper works well now after changing the charging handle. Zero issues.
@@PrimalDefenseCo u got a bad ass rifle 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
In December of 2023 I received my BRN 180 / 223 18.5 inch upper. Before the weather got bad here in Ohio, I put from 100 to 200 rounds through it and had about a 40% failure rate of either short stroking or stove piping. Classic marks of casings denting aluminum receiver and brass marks on charging handle.... often had casing trapped between charging handle and receiver. Sent Brownells an email off today stating the same and asked them what I should do to insure reliability of the upper to start this shooting season. Meanwhile, I have ordered a charging handle, just like yours, from A3 Tactical today.
I knew I couldn't have been the only one. Mine has been running great. But I won't put that out on video for another 300 rnds or so.
I appreciate you watching!
@RickKerr what was the response from Brownells? Is it fixed?
Nice build. Just finished a 300AAC 10.5" myself.
How are you liking it so far?
@PrimalDefenseCo
Love it so far. Still playing around with different bullets and loads.
#1 Son went with 5.5" suppressed, #2 got him an Extar EP9 6.5" 9mm.
Well done man. Too bad Brownells didnt get back to you. This shouldn’t happen on a 7-800 upper
For sure. The rifle has been running flawlessly now..but I still need to run it a bit more before I trust it enough to defend my family.
Recoil is soft , shoots flat, super fast cycling. The Geislle trigger helps with that. But still.
Great troubleshooting 👌
Thank you
I've used different mags on mine including Hexmag and various ammos steel case included and ran flawlessly.
@@pinoygunsusa1810 mine worked ok shooting singles. Maybe doubles. Slow shooting.
If I picked up the pace it could not go through a mag. After changing the charging handle it stopped giving me trouble.
Awesome review!
Appreciate ya. Thank you for watching!
I got the charging handle form Wolfpack Armory. It's great. Size matters.
Was the original charging handle giving you trouble? Just curious.
I might give the Wolfpack a go. I didn't choose this handle for any particular reason. Just did. So far it has worked great.
I had similar issues with my brass and went with a3’s product. Long story short it didn’t fit and went with a competitor. Great video, and shop around is my advice
Did your rifle work after switching out the handle?
It did!!! I truly appreciate your video, you did the leg work I needed. Once you showed the picture of the brass with that dent on it I immediately compared mine, identical. Thanks again, problem solved
@@BSmith135-js1ui awesome. Appreciate the environment. Have a good one!
hi do you get your hands dirty from the gasblock when you shot it? Is that a normal piston thing?
I have a little. It was never a lot at one time. Seems to be a normal thing. My hand guard and rail scales all have a little soot on them.
@@PrimalDefenseCo dammmn my glove turn black very soon after just one mag, will contact customer support for help, thanks bro
No problem man. Thanks for watching. Appreciate it.
Have you tried firing the weapon with the ejection port cover closed with either the original charging handle or the straight one? Were there any issues? I’ve noticed that many aftermarket straight charging handles say that you may have to open the ejection port to prevent malfunction
No, but I will try that.
Same problem the Sa80 A1 had. Watch the videos in slow motion
I had taken one.
Now, since I changed the charging handle, she is running like a champ.
Naaa, I can't overlook those issues, might have to wait on the Gen 3. Gen 2 doen't seem ready, or up to snuff w/ a D-I AR. A HARD PASS.
I get you man. I'm gonna do the same and wait for the .300
When does gen 3 come out?
Thanks for sharing!
Welcome!
Appreciate ya
Good to see you’ve figured out how to make your rifle reliable, but I was going to tell you since the upper is produced by PWS, they would be the ones you go to for any customer service. Those gauges and on the receiver are a huge “no, no”! PWS should do right by you! Great video!
*gouges
You are absolutely right. But since it has their name on it, I thought I would reach out to them first.
I had already pinned the barrel and didn't want to go through the trouble. I'm a little disappointed that there was not more communication on their part.
But it's running good now. Still need to test it some more as I did have an ejection issue.
It hasn't happened again so, I'll keep my eye on it. I'll see what happens these next 500 rounds.
Always do slow motion video footage of the rifle cycling to diagnose. Confirm visually what is going on: ua-cam.com/video/T4oQ2_ae3cM/v-deo.html The shape of the brn180's charging handle is there to catch brass in a specific way so it doesn't slam into the part of the receiver where the dust cover snaps into. Where you showed you're now getting excessive wear. Watch the ejection pattern under slow-mo. With that straight charging handle I'm guessing it's slamming into that specific spot now. With the S shaped handle, it probably won't. Instead of swapping, I would have reshaped the part of the original charging handle where the brass was hitting so it defected where I wanted. Sucks to have to do that on a new gun, but that would be the more elegant solution when thinking longevity. Also note the charging handle is heat treated steel and quite tough. Not something a hand file would get done.
The rifle is working well now. It also had a failure to eject I caught on slow mo. The ejector pin was stuck. It has not done it again. I do have my eye on it though.
That's an over gased issue.... I would still have Brownells look at it.
Serious question, as I am confused. Why did it run more reliably with hotter/heavier ammo? That is, I could run through 40-50 rounds without a problem, but 55gr .223 would stove pipe every two to three rounds.
It doesn't do that anymore after changing the charging handle and the brass is no longer being damaged.
I also sent Brownells a chat message. Their reps did not seem to have much knowledge on the rifle, and we're not very eager to make it right.
In their defense, at this point I don't want a return. The upper has a permanently mounted pinned brake. However, it would have been nice for them to contact me first and try and get me answers on how to correct the problem. I'm confident enough that I can remove the gas system completely and reinstall it if I need to.
Nice looking gun. What Mlok rail covers are on your hand guard?
Those are @SlateBlackIndustries
Hey, I'm having similar issues that you are describing. I have a 14.5 barrel with muzzle brake.
I have been using the unsupressed gas setting but I am going to try shooting next on the supressed setting to try and rule out the over gassed possibility.
If that doesn't work then i will change the charging handle (which i wanted to change the look of anyway).
If you try these different settings also i would be curious to hear what results you get.
I can't see my original response so here it goes again;
I've used the suppressed setting. The bolt won't move an inch.
I have not shot it suppressed. I will as soon as the can gets here.
I am going to try a variety of rounds that are easier on the senses as this brake really rattles your face 😂. Super loud.
@PrimalDefenseCo haha ya but it shoots so smoothly!
I'll give different ammo a try too. I'm just looking for any info I can. I can't seem to find many resources about this particular scenario. I hope that it doesn't turn out to really be the charging handle. Just seems unfortunate that the upper wouldn't be usable the way it comes.
@@williamleahy7841 I didn't plan on changing the handle until I saw the damage to the casings. I have shot the rifle a bunch since. I have not had the issue repeat itself.
Check your guide rail bolt. This bolt also holds the bump stop for the stock. If loose and gouges are present, send it back. The upper is damaged. The G3 version is supposed to have improvements to the rails, and will likely have a forward removed piston with 5+ settings. Which is why I have a JAKL, and am waiting for the G3 to drop.
@PrimalDefenseCo Just returned from the range. I switch the charging handle with the A3 tactical. Ran flawlessly, used various ammo as well.
What’s stow piping or what it is you’re saying?
“Stove pipe”. When a spent casing gets caught in the action between the breech face and the chamber. The casing looks like the pipe of an old school stove sticking out.
I wish i wouldve seen this sooner and known about the A3 website. I reload and have the same issue, it destroys the brass mouth, making it unusable. I just ordered the Wolfpack one hoping to mitigate this issue, and it just shipped. The A3 one looks way better, as it has an alignment lug, the wolfpack doesnt.
So...i just ordered the A3 one as well, after you dropped the name. Now i have two to try out.
I also ordered another brownells one to experiment with. I cut, rewelded, changed the angle with a torch by heating and bending. Same thing. This wouldve been a cheaper option, now im something like $100 into charging handles😂. At least i have hope now. 😊
Also, The piston disassembly doesnt need the gas block removed to take it apart. Its a legit puzzle, and it gets me everytime. theres an order you need to take it apart after you pull the spring back. it slides in and out perfect. I dont have the gun in front of me to describe it, but believe me, its a puzzle, and there is a sequence.
Really appreciate the feedback. The casing will still be hit, but so far no damage. At least not that I can see. I don’t reload, so I’m sure there are things that you look for. Either way, they definitely do not end up all messed up like before the handle change.
I will try and figure out the gas piston. I’ll probably order extra parts for this thing. Just in case. Still in the testing phase.
How has it worked out for ya?
No more bent necks!!
@@TheGreatWhiteNorth1 which handle are you going with and why?
Is this the gen 1 or gen 2?
@@G47orG17 gen 2.
Looking to get a 300blk version now
@@PrimalDefenseCo That sucks, I was looking to maybe get one myself. But if it’s plagued that bad, nahhh
@@G47orG17 it stopped giving me problems when I changed the charging handle. Zero trouble.