lksyotas

My VMT had the exact same barrel problem as yours. Vent rib was canted to the right and the barrel was bent in two locations that made it pattern high right by 15" @ 20 yds. I called Remington and they replaced the barrel with no additional questions asked. My new one is straight and shoots fine. I'm not sure how it works since your from Russia but I'd try Remingtons customer service (800-243-9700) and see where you land. Good luck and sorry to hear!

AC45acp- awesome job! Love the color on a AR platform. I'm thinking of doing my VersaMax in this color as well...

Hello Adam, sorry for the late response. I hardly ever check back here to read the comments. I tried 10% bronze & then 20%. I ended up liking15% the best and that's what was sprayed on this gun. Let me know if you have any questions.

Update to the VersaMax saga: I received the entire new trigger plate assembly from Remington customer service. The new set included the same rev and part number hammer that my gun originally came with so I swapped it out for a Benelli M2 hammer. I can't believe the hammer is almost identical in overall profile with the exception that its .007" thicker than the Benelli's. I swapped over the Benelli hammer and C-Rums welded lifter to the new trigger group and installed it back into the gun. Additional note is the Benelli polished finish on the hammer is way smoother in the action of racking the bolt than the stock Remington. Took it to the range today hoping for a clean practice run. Gun was cleaned prior to installing the mentioned fire control group. I fired 75 Federal bulk pack #7.5 1 1/8oz rounds down range practicing the load 12 drill and had two failures similar to previous. Series of events that lead to failure: Gun loaded with one in chamber and one in magazine. Fired first round at first plate, fired shell is ejected, only round in magazine is released and lifted into chamber ready to fire. I perform the reload via quad load with weak hand and gun turned over in strong hand. Once loaded, gun flipped back over, shouldered, and aimed at 2nd target. As I pressed the trigger at the 2nd target the only thing that happened was the next shell in the magazine was released onto the lifter and occupied the space below the closed bolt. The loaded shell in the chamber does not ignite because the hammer is already released somehow, trigger is not reset. So the saga continues...Any ideas as to this failure mode? I'm getting frustrated to say the least as its not repeatable every time as it only occurred twice out of 75 shells fired today. This gun was flawless for the first 1200+ rounds and I was a very happy owner - now, not so sure...

I've settled on using a 9lb recoil spring in my Trojan 9mm. 17lb main spring. Seems to work best with my competition load. 3.3 g Titegroup, 147 MG CMJ. Keeps slide moving fast enough where it doesn't seem sluggish while preventing the nose from diving upon re chambering.

Yeah, Brownells has them in stock. I think I'll install one in the new trigger plate assembly that Remington is sending me. Then I should be covered.

So I called Remington and explained the hammer issue. They are sending me a whole new trigger plate assembly. Hopefully the issues I've been having will go away with all new components. +1 for great customer service! With only 1579 rounds down range I'm concerned with the durability of the internal components on this shotgun considering its only eaten a diet of low power loads. I'll report back after installing the new trigger group as to if it fixes the issues I've been having.

So I took the gun completely down again last evening and studied the hammer a bit more closely. I found that the notch on the hammer that engages the disconnector has a chip of material missing about half its length. So now I'm wondering if the hammer is not resetting reliably and causing some of my issues with hammer drop or riding the bolt carrier home. I'm going to call Remington this morning to request a new hammer. It also shows significant denting around the bolt carrier contact area that I previously filed down to remove the burrs from the dents. So I'm sure Remington will honor a new hammer but would it be in my best interest to just replace it with a Benelli M2 hammer? Thanks for any advice you guys can share!...

Modifications and accessories to gun are as follows: · C Rums welded lifter, radius bevel on inside to aid in centering shell when lifting into chamber. · Beveled and polished loading port on bottom of receiver. · Removed small spring from shell catch assembly (large still installed.) · Increased radius cutouts in shell catch to allow it to flex better with less resistance. · Radiused extractor cutout on barrel. · RCI XM2BE extended one piece magazine assembly. RCI mag spring left uncut (provides plenty of tension even with just one shell left in magazine.) · Arrendondo bolt release lever. · Radiused and polished underside of bolt carrier directly under rear of firing pin where hammer contacts. · Polished top of hammer and filed down dented areas of hammer face from contact with rear of bolt carrier. · Cerakoted bolt lever and trigger housing. · New Remington factory barrel replaced under warranty due to original being bent. Extractor cutout also radiused as original was. Description of problem: As the title says, I have a VersaMax Tactical that was purchased 7/12. It has exactly 1579 rounds down range (almost entirely Federal Bulk #7.5 1 1/8oz loads.) This shotgun had run flawlessly up till two weeks ago right at the 1270 round mark. Since its first failure, it has had an additional 12 failures noted below out of 309 shots with the same Federal bulk pack loads. The problem started after I noticed rust forming on the chamber section of the barrel the night before a local 3 gun match. I tried cleaning it best I could with solvent and a bronze brush but ultimately (stupidly) ended up getting it removed with 000 steel wool patch wrapped around a chamber brush and run with a cordless drill. This polished the chamber and removed the rust. I hosed the barrel out with brake cleaner and relubed lightly with Ballistol oil. The next day at the match the gun seemed to be very sluggish and short stroking every few rounds fired. During the firing sequence, it would fire a few rounds and then I could “either” feel a click from the trigger releasing against the hammer and an empty chamber or feel the next shell releasing from the magazine and load underneath the bolt. I’d have to rack the charging handle and then I’d be back in business until the next failure event occurred. Now the weird thing is sometimes the shell would load into the chamber but the hammer would already be released from the disconnector or it wouldn’t load at all and get placed below the bolt (ghost load) on an empty chamber. Every time I experienced a failure the spent shell from the previous firing had ejected reliably about six feet @ 3 o’clock. That evening after the lousy ending of my match I tore the gun completely down to diagnose the problem. Low and behold, I found ground up steel wool shavings totally clogging up the pistons below the barrel. I cleaned all the debris out of the piston pockets, gas holes in barrel, pistons, orings, and caps. I also detail cleaned the trigger components by removing them from their housing and other items within the receiver completely. The next day, the gun ran better but it is still not functioning 100%. Just today I was practicing the load 12 challenge and had a live shell eject from the magazine tube below the lifter and hit the ground by my feet while I was firing. Thus when I pulled the trigger again, it acted as the previous failure mode and I could feel the next shell release from the magazine and load below the closed empty bolt. I then had two more instances where the next shell would either load completely into the chamber or below the bolt but the hammer would not be held back by the disconnector. So with all this said, what do you experts out there think I might have going on? I’m wondering if I have a shell catch issue with only one spring, a worn hammer issue that isn’t allowing it to reset consistently, a lifter issue, or something else that I’m totally missing… Thanks for any feedback and sorry for the long winded post…

Good looking Versa Max, whats with your trigger plate retaining pin? It looks like its different than the stock one, is it just sticking out or is it a different pin?

I've gone through a tuned stock trigger set, Timney Competition, Geissele Hi-Speed National Match, Geissele S3G, and AR Gold in my rifle since it was built. My two favorites were the Geissele Hi-Speed National Match and the AR Gold. For me, I think it comes down to what the rifle is intended to do. Once I had the Hi-Speed Match setup tuned, it was the nicest two stage trigger I've ever had the joy to press. If I were building a pure long range or target rifle this would be my go to trigger set. But for the sport of multi gun, I find the AR Gold to be perfect for my use. All the previous comments I agree with. Light and crisp with a super short reset. I want to figure out how to improve the reset spring pressure slightly then it will be hands down perfect for my liking...

Mick, any pictures of the setup before you removed it?

Tried doing this first but my barrel was so far off that nothing was going to help it. Thankfully, Remington's customer service was spot on and the new barrel I received is straight enough for a shotgun. My turn around was only 6 days (granted I live in NY only three hours from Ilion where the warranty work was done.)

Last certificate I used would not work online. I sent MG and e-mail and got a reply the next day. They advised I mail in the certificate along with information on what bullets I needed. At the time they did not indicate any 124 gr JHP 9's in stock but I still got my bullets in just a few weeks. This was this past February. Don't quote me, but I think the certificate may put you at the head of the line when they do get some bullets in. Bill Thanks for the heads up Bill, I'll send in my order snail mail or fax then and see what happens. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my question. Regards, Brendan

Hey guys, trying to place an order and want to use a $100 coupon I received at a match but it won't accept any of the numbers on the card. Anyone know which numbers or words I need to enter from the coupon slip? Thanks!

Also try Oak Hill Enterprises. Fast shipping and great prices.

SouthernGuns, Omar, you sir have been the best dealer I've had the pleasure of dealing with in a long time. Keep up the great work and awesome pricing! You've got a returning customer here for sure. I shot the scope yesterday and couldn't be happier, two shots to zero on paper then I was killing clays and tearing up steel gongs @ 200 yds for the next hundred rounds. Clearest scope I've used on a rifle to date, better than my Nightforce I used to run on my precision rifle. Day time bright illumination on setting five for me with a slightly cloudy afternoon. LOVE IT!!!

I use a 1/8" carbide endmill, and deepen the notch by .020". The enlarging of the notches reduces the amount of metal that is resisting the needed flex. Ditto, did the same as this to mine with about the same measurements but if you don't have access to a mill, a Dremel with a carbide cutter or simply a round file will get the job done, just go slow and make sure you are taking measurements to keep them even with a set of calipers if you have them.

Here's mine...Just got it back from Remington, had to have the barrel replaced due to being bent. Only took them six days from the time I shipped till the time I received it back with a new barrel. It shoots straight now - very happy with their customer service regardless of their initial shoddy QC. Multi Gun Family Photo: Load port after I opened it up to make quad loads easier: My home made Kydex spare shell carrier (made before I saw the new match saver design on the market)

Big +1 - thanks for the heads up. Great communication with them and a price that as you said, would not disappoint! Ordered mine today...

I had thought about doing this but after I found out the barrel was only bent towards the end - I didn't want to curve it opposite directions in two different areas. Felt it was better to send it back to Remington as it is still under warranty.

I just went through the exact same issue as you! My history: I purchased my Versa Max Tactical last June. I've shot countless matches with it and always wondered why I didn't land consistent hits even when using a proper grip and head placement. So finally, last week, I finally took the time to pattern the gun both with the stock setup and Carbon Arms new full length mag tube installed. To my surprise, both setups yielded the same high right POI. My gun was consistently shooting about six inches high right from 20 yds. I tried different ammo and different chokes and they all yielded the same pattern as you describe. I also measured my barrel straightness with a straight edge and found my barrel is bent up and to the right in the same location as yours. Plus my vent rib was ground uneven and the center bead is installed about .015"-.020" to the right of center. The rear of the vent rib doesn't even line up with the receiver flat! After taking a hard look at it, I can't believe this left the factory. I'll let you know in a week or two if they replaced my barrel or tried to fix it. The customer service rep said she would have sent me a barrel directly to replace it but they didn't have any in stock! So she was "hoping" that the repair shop might have some available but she couldn't tell because their inventory levels were on a different system... I'd say call them, they were not overly friendly when I discussed my situation but they did offer to take the gun back and make it right without a fuss. Let us know how you make out and I'll report back with the same...Good luck!

Yes, very good point. My only comment to that would be if he got used to shooting with it pinned then shot a IDPA match and had the same issues he's dealing with now. That would be frustrating.

Thats a great demo on how to pin the GS - I never really understood how this was done so thanks for posting! However, OP said that this will be used primarily for IDPA which by denies a pinned GS from being legal to use in any division.

Thanks guys for the compliments! Applying the Cerakote had a learning curve. I tried applying Cerakote with my standard airbrush that I've used for years applying KG Industries Gunkote 2400 series. The first few tries didn't go so well...I had to much material drying prior to hitting the surface and ended up with a very rough finish or if I had the correct volume, it was not covering enough area and I would end up with uneven streaks. So after several conversations with NIC reps, I invested in a recommended HVLP mini touch up gun. From there, it has been smooth sailing. The material goes on smooth and has a even appearance. It is not as tough as I expected it to be. I wouldn't say it is any tougher than the Gunkote I'm used to using. After applying the latest color above, I've already got holster wear along the leading edge of the frame (approx. 500-1000 holster draws) It did smooth out the action slightly, the slide truly feels like its on ball bearings now.