Newsletter – Vol. 1 / Issue 7

December 2012

 

 

 

 

Model: VEX-SS Snow Camo (Designation: R20FSSFTS-C1)

 

 

I know for many this seems like a pretty easy task, and it is, but I wanted to run through it because of a common mistake people make. I have seen this dozens of times in my years of working on AR15s. Someone sends a rifle in and the action is locked up solid.  It won’t fire and nothing moves. Then I take the hammer and trigger out of the lower and see this:

What you are looking at is the top part of the pistol grip screw hole where it comes through the bottom of the inside of the receiver. The crumpled up spring is the safety detent spring.

What happens is someone buys an aftermarket pistol grip and removes the stock pistol grip to install it, and the safety detent spring falls out.  Sometimes the safety detent is also lost. They assume the spring must have fallen out of the screw hole so they put the screw in the hole and screw the new pistol grip on. Then they find the safety flops around and the action is locked up.

So here is the proper way to disassemble and reassemble a pistol grip:

With a 3/16″ T handle Allen wrench remove pistol grip screw and washer.

Keep receiver upside down on a table as shown as you remove the pistol grip.

Note above the safety detent spring and its proper placement in the safety detent hole.

Remove pistol grip. Note the gold safety detent in the hole. This is why it’s best to keep the receiver upside down so this does not fall out.

This is the hole in the pistol grip where the safety detent spring goes.

And here are all the parts.

Sometimes the pistol grip washer is stuck up inside the pistol grip. If it is just poke it out through the top of the screw hole in the pistol grip.

If the replacement grip does not come with its own screw, use the factory screw for installation of the new pistol grip. If it comes with its own screw be sure to use the screw that comes with it. Some grips have a different thickness inside and may require a longer or shorter screw than the stock screw. Also some pistol grip screws use a slotted screw instead of an Allen screw so a screwdriver is required for reinstallation.

Reinstall the grip in the reverse order above. When you put the safety detent spring in its proper holes press the grip down and hold it on. This will line the screw up at the proper angle for reinstallation and you will not cross thread the screw.

CUSTOMER SERVICE CORNER        

I am pleased to announce that our Customer Service Department has grown and we have welcomed Ron Roberts as a valued member of our team.  Ron is well-versed in the AR platform and has many years’ experience in both production assembly and customer service.  Please see our employee spotlight this month to learn more about Ron.

With the holiday season upon us, this month’s section highlights one of our newest offerings. Are you looking for a gift idea? Here’s a great gift  for the AR enthusiast:  Give a Windham Weaponry Gift Certificate. They are available in any amount and can be purchased either by calling us here in Customer Service (Toll Free) at 1-855-808-1888 or through our website at  www.windhamweaponry.com  Our regular Q&A highlight will resume in our next edition.

 

FROM THE EDITOR

Karen Fogarty, Asst. to VP of Sales & Marketing

 

 

 

 

 

I finally was able to get my wife to let me get a new AR platform rifle. I did not have any background on these rifles. Going to the local sporting goods store I looked at several different manufactures guns. I settled on the Windham M4 flat top simply because of age I need to have optics on my guns in order to shoot well. The M4 gave unlimited choices with no fixed front sight to obscure the optical sights but still having the railed gas block and able to accept an iron front sight is a big plus. The more reviews I read the better choice I knew I made the happier I became. Range day came I shot 40 rounds of .556 ammo off a mushy range bag for support at an indoor range at 100 yards It surpassed my expectations. I highly recommend this AR and Windham and am looking forward to the next range day. I plan on shooting off a rest.  Thanks Windham!

Keith F.

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My SRC!

 

Windham Weaponry SRC, Aimpoint 3x magnifier on a LaRue LT 755 30T mount,  Aimpoint PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic) red dot on a LaRue LT129 mount, Crimson Trace MVF-515R laser/light grip, Troy front and rear folding battle sights,  Midwest Industries front sling quick disconnect, UAG AR15 Carbine rifle quad picatinny aluminum rail and a padded quick adjust sling (not shown).  Lots of fun at the range and many people asking “who makes that?” LOL     Dave, Illinois

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Way to go guys. Very well done. Thanks for putting all of the information on the way the rifle works. I have an older Bushmaster and 2 Windhams. I appreciate the attention to detail on your firearms. I am a retired SWAT Sergeant so I have experience with AR’s. Keep the newsletter coming.    Kenneth, Texas

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I bought my Windham because I love what Mr. Dyke started when the previous owner moved out of state. I was truly moved at what Mr. Dyke did and that’s what made me buy a Windham and I have no complaints with thousands of rounds shot. I dressed it up a little with an EXPS2-0 and a G-33 magnifier and here are my results. Really can’t ask for much better than that.

  

Thank you for a great AR,       Dave, CT

 

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WINDHAM WEAPONRY FEATURED PRODUCTS   

Matt Hasty Retail Sales Manager

 

 

PART NUMBER: HGD-DH-CAR-2PC

PRICE: $109.00

 

Diamondhead’s V-RS Modular Drop-In Handguard platform offers forend versatility for the M4 with fast installation and almost limitless configurations for accessories. As the 2 pieces split horizontally, it drops into carbines without removal of the existing delta ring much like standard handguards and the sides and bottom of the handguard is drilled and tapped for the option of adding side and bottom rails as additional accessories are needed. Diamond shaped vents (proprietary to Windham Weaponry versions of this handguard) keep your barrel cool under rapid fire. The full length upper rail is in Mil. Std. 1913 Picatinny rail dimensions and is machined into the top half of the handguards. Construction is combat durable Mil. Spec. Type III anodized 6061 T6 aluminum, and it fits all M4/AR15/M16 variants. Made in the U.S.A.

 

Buy It Now

 

 

PART NUMBER: HGD-DH-RAIL-2

PRICE: $15.00

These 2″ long accessory rail segments fit Diamondhead’s V-RS Modular Drop-In Handguard platform to allow more side and bottom rail accessory attachments as needed. In Mil. Std. 1913 Picatinny rail dimensions, they are machined from durable Mil. Spec. Type III anodized 6061 T6 aluminum, and include hex head mounting screws. Made in the U.S.A.

 

Buy It Now

 

Diamondhead 7″ Accessory Rail Segment…

PART NUMBER: HGD-DH-RAIL-7

PRICE: $22.00

 

Similar to the short 2″ Diamondhead Rail ABOVE, these 7″ accessory rail segments fit Diamondhead’s V-RS Modular Drop-In Handguard platform to allow unlimited accessory attachment. The removable rails are machined in Mil. Std. 1913 Picatinny rail dimensions from tough Mil. Spec. Type III anodized 6061 T6 aluminum. Hex head mounting screws are included. Made in the U.S.A.

Todd J. Coons, Law Enforcement Sales Manager

I am very excited to say that we just completed our first armorer’s course here at Windham Weaponry. The attention to detail in preparing for the class made it all worthwhile.

Windham Weaponry has recognized the need for this training, and were able to partner with the instructors at the Academi in Moyock, North Carolina. The Academi training facility is the largest private training center in the United States, as it sits on over 7,000 acres. I want to personally thank both Charlie and Eric, the 2 instructors from the Academi who taught the class. Charlie and Eric are no strangers to our facility here in Windham, Maine, as this is where they themselves attended armorer’s training with our Production Manager, Doug Price, several years ago. Charlie and Eric are part of our extended family here at Windham Weaponry and it was nice to have them back.

There were 18 students in the class that came from a variety of backgrounds. We had Game Wardens, Marine Patrol, Corrections Officers, Sheriff’s Deputies, Municipal Officers, Firearms Instructors, Dealers and even a few WW employees, and yes, I was the first to sign up for the class.

It was a 2 day class that covered both the AR-15 and the M-16. Upon completion of the class, each student was presented a certificate that certified them for the next 3 years.

What’s new on the LE FRONT?

Well I can finally say they are here, and our first order has shipped to a Sheriff’s Department in Michigan. The 14.5″ barrels with the pinned/welded Phantom Flash Hider. The 14.5″ with either the pinned/welded Phantom or Extended A2 flash hider comes in a M4 profile barrel with the A2 front sight base. The barrel is a chrome lined barrel with a 1X7 twist. There have been many requests for this barrel and configuration, so I expect it to be very popular among law enforcement, as well as on the commercial side. By permanently attaching the flash hider to the barrel, it makes this rifle of legal length to own by everyone.

 

 Be Safe and Enjoy Happy Holidays,

Todd J. Coons

    We regularly respond to questions and topics on this informative website.

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Windham Weaponry, Inc.