How Radical Firearms/Defense earned my forgiveness - Mk1 Mod1 Patrol upper

[@Citizen2ACitizenLLC]

Awesome ending to a great story. Glad it all worked out in the end.

[@allendade2084]

I have been looking at a few affordable AR's and after watching your video I have decided to go with Radical. Thanks for making this video.

[@bobsundquist2039]

I have been looking at different ARs to order. I ordered a Radical based on your video and am waiting on it.

[@milesrost6674]

Phil saves. I watched your previous video and was disappointed with RF. I am however glad that Phil and the notifying employee "took care" of you. That does speak volumes for the organization. I sincerely appreciate the time you've taken to make these videos. - Godspeed!!

[@RageQuit003]

Thanks for taking time to leave feedback. I appreciate that.

[@ExploringDarknessGhostM6edia]

I was on the fence about radical firearms, Your video and fill definitely change my opinion.. I'll definitely make a purchase now..Thx GregM. For taking the time to make this video.. I can see you know your P & Qs about ARs So I trust what you're saying.. Again thanks.

[@caledanielson1193]

Really Appreciate you posting this update….. I bought two RF 15’s this year and I’ve been pretty pleased with them for the price point. had seen your previous frustrated videos and hoped there’d be some resolution…. Couldn’t believe the treatment you were getting especially having watched the videos on the radical firearms factory tours and so on. I can’t be more pleased how they made things right for you. I have 6 kids and I’ve kinda zeroed in on radical for training and arming the whole family to America’s Rifle

[@RageQuit003]

I appreciate your comment. You get it.

[@DesertTactical]

Thats pretty cool. I have spoken to Travis from RF and he’s cool AF. Sounds like this Phil guy is a solid stand up guy. Glad I have a RF AR15 that was worked well for me. Thanks for the update! Subbed!

[@j61610]

I also bought a Radical AR-15. I am glad that Radical firearms has supervisor like Phil who is willing to take the responsibility, correct the mistakes, & stand behind their brand. It is nice to know Radical Firearms has management team like Phil who can do things right. He gives customers confidence in his company.

[@RageQuit003]

Indeed. Phil did an amazing job.

[@brandonwindsor5313]

Thanks alot for calling them out on this man others don't have the time or patience to do so

[@Hardestway]

I love Radicals! I have had 4 RF’s and 2 currently. Just fixed issues rather than calling customer service. So many people have issues and talk about how bad the customer service is which is really disappointing. The price is amazing and they have so much potential but I know I am the first line of QC when I buy a RF. It’s cool Phil took care of you but no one else is going to get a call from the CEO or a higher end upper. I have been a Radical cheerleader and sold 20-30 rifles for Radical but always include that you need to go through everything. They have gotten better over the years. The issues don’t bother me because I love the price but hopefully someday they get the customer service taken care of.

[@albertptran]

Good to hear the updates!

[@RickNethery]

Glad they are treating you right brother. 👍

[@RageQuit003]

Rick! How's it going? Thanks for stopping by. Yes, Phil from Radical did the right thing.

[@RickNethery]

@RageQuit003 Doing good brother, I hope you and your family are doing well.

[@RageQuit003]

@@RickNethery We're doing good too.

[@Brett235]

I'm glad that it worked out for you. I don't have a radical rifle but my buddy does and he really likes it. My son and I usually build our rifles from ground up but we do have some off the shelf rifles, and we have made a habit to keep a lot of extra parts including springs, bolts, nuts and so forth. That way if anything is off we can replace it. My son is far more OCD than I am about tolerances so he checks everything including headspace on every rifle before he puts the barrel on.

[@chuckcauley8470]

I bought my Radical 556 a couple of months ago., about 500 rounds put through it with no problems. I will continue to use this weapon and will still recommend it. I have purchased a second one within a few months of each other and neither has given me any issues. As an owner of this rifle, I hate it that you had to go through this.

[@RageQuit003]

I appreciate the sentiment.

[@DogeMcLovin]

We couldn't ask for better documentation and explanation on your experience! Thanks for sharing.

[@chingon1988]

This makes me feel a little better about the wylde upper I bought from them. I found your other video the day after I purchased it. Still waiting for it to arrive in the mail.

[@sidecharger]

From all the Jarheads at Devil Dog Concepts, Semper Fi and Keep up the great content!

[@RageQuit003]

Hi DDC! Been some years! Still using your Hard Chargers(except on the KS-47 since I swapped out that upper). Still on your email list. Thanks for stopping by.

[@fmjkyle783]

Any time your dealing with products and consumers, shit happens, what’s important is how you acknowledge it and make it right. Me personally having experience working in customer service and dealing with large companies, I would say Radical and especially Phil went above and beyond to do that. Glad this story got a happy ending.

[@RageQuit003]

He definitely did.

[@HunterLo25]

I just picked mine up after so many positive reviews. I'm going to have to check the barrel when I get home. Although not new by any means to firearms, I am to the AR platform and honestly don't know what I'm looking for haha but hopefully, barrel does not move like yours. Sorry this happened to you man but glad they were able to make things right. Hopefully, they are able to offer this kind of service to everyone, not just for those who makes YT vids

[@RageQuit003]

I've gotten a few comments on the original video from other buyers with defective barrels. Seems like they all got replacement barrels without issue other than the same lazy customer service - no email notifications.

[@HunterLo25]

@@RageQuit003 good to know. Thanks!

[@hardlylivin6602]

I was responsible for test firing our freshly built guns at my last job. Due to me being the solo testing guy, keeping track of brass wasn't an option given the volume of guns I had to test fire in a given time period. It was five shots.... next gun.....five shots.....next gun....etc. The best I could do was look for chamber flash as an indicator of something being wrong. The funny thing is, my current job is running CNC machines, which work similarly to barrel machines. And yes.... even the slightest numerical input error in the program can completely destroy a batch of parts. And can go unnoticed for far too long if you aren't constantly on top of things.

[@johntimmins5564]

great content & excellent follow up. I've had mine fir about a year. My barrel moves somewhat a lil with the hand gaurd but seems to return to center when i lax the force of my finger. Same here with the eject. every casing lands within inches of themselves. Due to the fast twist i had to try several different ammo types. Finally settled on AAC 77gr OTM's & i can put an entire magazine in a 3 inch circke at 100 yards. Love my RF-15

[@RageQuit003]

Thanks. To be clear I was referring to the replacement RD upper having the perfect ejection. When I still had the RF upper that one didn't eject within a bowl sized area.

[@antoniorodriguez-yv7gf]

That's a good question would you have gotten the same response if you didn't make the video and complained and an employee from radical firearms saw it on KZbin I just purchased my first radical AR let's see how that goes

[@5jjt]

Cheap brass catchers would be an easy way for Radical to check fired brass.

[@RageQuit003]

I agree.

[@brandonwindsor5313]

Mine does the same just buying a new barrel hope it solves it

[@oakridgereview1359]

What series of rifles are potentially effected? There is an MHR at my local Sportsmans Warehouse I like…

[@RageQuit003]

As far as I know it's only the Radical Firearms RF-15's made in March 2023. But I can see it potentially being any of their guns/uppers with their SOCOM 16" melonite barrel. If you're eyeing a rifle at a local gun shop just ask them to put empty brass or a dummy round in the chamber and see if it wiggles.

[@oakridgereview1359]

@@RageQuit003 it’s a Sportsmans warehouse chain store, like academy or dunhams, they’ll probably tell me to get bent haha but I appreciate the idea! It’s listed product line is “AR-15 : MHR” so maybe it’s different from the RF-15 that was having issues

[@RageQuit003]

RF-15 is the lower's model. MHR will be the handguard variant. M-Lok Hybrid Rail. The original one I got was the RF-15 RPR. Radical Parrellogram Rail. They use the same SOCOM barrel.

[@30rdmaga]

What is the model of the new upper they sent you? I have the soccom fcf model and it has the same handguard. Glad to hear they straightened things out with you.

[@RageQuit003]

It's the title of the video and the page is shown at 19:45

[@PnP-td1mt]

How are we talking about defective chambers yet no actual measurements being taken?

[@RageQuit003]

I can tell you didn't watch the previous video.

[@ronn077]

I just got this AR for christmas. First AR for me. I am hoping we made a good purchase. I also live in AZ. Gilbert area. Would love to learn more from you about these guns if you offer that type of training.

[@RageQuit003]

You got the Mk1 Mod1 or the previous RPR-15 I had? I don't offer any training due to lack of time, but I can try to answer questions for you.

[@ronn077]

@RageQuit003 RPR-15 is what I have. I noticed the rail shifts a bit when i push on it.

[@RageQuit003]

@@ronn077 Normal function is you'd have to push it hard and it will return back to position. If it's easy to push and stays shifted then those handguard fasteners are loose. You can snug them up hand tight with an Allen key.

[@mrupert22]

Would you have gotten the same attention from radical if you didn’t make a video that got views?

[@RageQuit003]

I don't think it was based off the views. Phil told me his employee was searching for Radical videos on youtube and found mine. However as the video aged it would have been recommended in people's feeds.

[@jasongallaher2501]

I tried my radical ar-15 today. I have the same problem. Cases are bulging and splitting. It also won't cycle correctly. Jams on almost every cycle.

[@RageQuit003]

Is yours a newly manufactured one? Does the lower's serial # start with a 23- or 24-?

[@jasongallaher2501]

@RageQuit003 i won it at a gun drawing last year. Just got it out. I couldn't shoot for a while due to major shoulder surgery. I emailed Radical, waiting for a response.

[@albertptran]

The Radical Firearms round hole handguard looks great but could not be tightened on my ar. I’ve installed half a dozen handguards, cheap and pricey and never had an install so challenging until the RF handguard. Too bad because I really want this company to do well

[@billychampy316]

Thanks for this review. I now have more confidence in spending my money with them. I agree, a company, any company should stand behind their product. Especially if it's a firearm company because a product malfunction can be lethal. Phil sounds like a genuine awesome guy. Well he did serve in the U.S. Military.

[@H_whit99]

Just bought one wish I seen this video first. It seems alright but the rail seems loose and I’m brand new to ar’s so I’m not sure if that is normal. There’s some wiggle to it.

[@RageQuit003]

No, that's not normal on AR's. Snug down your handguard bolts and make sure your threads aren't stripped.

[@chrisbangs2657]

I hope they reach out to me next week to correct my same issue…

[@RageQuit003]

Let me know if they've changed their Customer Service process. I'd like to know if they inform you of the repair status, provide a tracking #, and also acknowledge your serial # was an improperly cut barrel.

[@chrisbangs2657]

Here is what has happened: Sent emails with pics 😮5/14/23 Called them 5/15/23 got Taylor he reviewed email and sent directly to gunsmith. He emailed me back with RMA and shipping label (2 day) told me this should not have happened (obviously) I shipped to them on 5/16/23 Emailed him on status 5/18/23 for status update They replied that they found that the gas line was not pinned from the factory and the ruptured casings was cause enough to replace the barrel and gas tube assembly for the upper receiver under warranty. Shipped out tome today 5/19/23 expected 5/5/22/23 We will see how/if it is fixed when it gets back…

[@chrisbangs2657]

Keep you posted

[@chrisbangs2657]

As of 5/27/23 range day V2 All good! 0 in at 25 then on to 100 2 full clips down range all casings were perfect and ejection pattern grouping great! Smooth as butter! Radical stepped up and fixed the issue and got it back to me quickly. All things mechanical can have issues, I’m a tech and get it but the great service is what’s to be expected! Sucks that my very 1st rifle broke on day 1 but we are good to go now! I did not receive and upgrades or goodies, 😢 but it send it so… Radical Firearms also gets my forgiveness.

[@RageQuit003]

@@chrisbangs2657 Thanks for the updates, Chris.

[@montealexx]

My wife is buying her firs AR don’t want her to waste her money. What would you personally recommend for under 850 ish

[@RageQuit003]

I don't like making recommendations. Even the brands I buy I have had problems with.

[@albertptran]

Andro Corp for $499, both my buddy and I have one each and they’re just as good as an M&P15

[@reloadshootrepeat3315]

DB15

[@felipetejeda7545]

Ruger 556, S&W m&p 15, or anything by PSA. Bulletproof with good Reputation.

[@tylerm7403]

My vote is for the M&P Sport III.

[@KudossMusic]

Got mines other hopefully mine runs fine

[@Spartan73799]

So would you reccomend this Rifle? Local shop is selling these for $400. Been wanting to get inti ARs since AKs are too damn expesive now

[@RageQuit003]

It's worth it for $400 if you don't get a defective one. Just double check Radical's work before you shoot it. Make sure you can't wiggle a 5.56 round in the chamber and make sure the handguard doesn't move by pushing it side to side.

[@brandonwindsor5313]

Just get a Palmetto state one save instead

[@ShakaShots]

Did they put out a range of serial numbers that were effected?

[@RageQuit003]

Not that I am aware of. When I spoke with Phil their CEO, he knew from my serial # my RF-15 was made in late Feb 2023. However I don't think they knew which serials could have been affected because they didn't know defective rifles got shipped to their distributors. Phil told me they caught the bad offset on their floating reamer for the chamber cuts, but thought they quarantined all the bad barrels. That obviously didn't happen. So I doubt they knew the serials since they ship up to 700 guns/day 6 days/week.

[@damonlee3225]

I personally think phil only said anything bcuz of the well needed callouts in the video. Sometimes these companies need to be put in their place for faulty work.

[@Maurice3774]

Never had a issue with them even just answering a question

[@RageQuit003]

So you never had to do a RMA with Taylor? He's the actual issue there at Radical. I've got other commenters complaining about him on the original video.

[@mauricehardy5012]

@@RageQuit003 nope I haven’t but not saying your experience wasn’t so I work with guys others guys didn’t like but never had a issue with

[@rayv882]

Every AR-15 should have back up flip up sights along with a nice red dot sight

[@bawitibaw]

Where did you get that mount for the micro/rd?

[@RageQuit003]

Primary Arms Mini Reflex Offset Mount For PAO MicroPrisms

[@shaun9156]

"I don't shoot for accuracy." Wot?!

[@RageQuit003]

6" steel at 200 yards isn't good enough for you?

[@milesrost6674]

Nice shooting!!@@RageQuit003

[@FestusHaggen]

Do you think Phil would have stepped-up and done the right thing if you didn't have your YT channel where you exposed the problem of the bad barrels being sent to market and the lackluster CS you received? I'm guessing that minus your YT channel you wouldn't have received any further service from Radical beyond the email from their CS rep suggesting you take the problematic upper to a gunsmith. I doubt the average Joe, who lacks the means to put truthful negative feedback about their products in front of enough eyeballs, would receive the same high level of good CS that Phil provided. Phil did what he needed to do to cover the company's ass. I'm glad he got your issue resolved, but publicity shouldn't need to be a factor in getting any company to do the right thing.

[@RageQuit003]

Had not one of the employees seen the first video and shown Phil, I believe no further action would have been taken. Which is actually what I expected when I made the first video. I made it so others could google search issues with their own barrels. I never expected any contact from Radical again. I think without that video, Phil would not be aware of the customer service practices to this day. I agree an average joe wouldn't be getting phone conversations with the Managing Director about their gun. However...maybe they would. Years ago I had an issue with Atlantic Firearms shipping me a gun different than their listing. Blaine the owner(same guy in their youtube videos) called me at home. I didn't even ask for him. I only sent an email question to their customer service email.

[@FestusHaggen]

@@RageQuit003 Thanks for the reply. Do you know the serial number range of the possibly affected rifles?

[@RageQuit003]

@@FestusHaggen No. Phil didn't volunteer the serial # range of affected guns. However mine was a 23-018xxx which he confirmed was an early March 2023 assembly.

[@FestusHaggen]

@@RageQuit003 Thanks, Man. BTW, I subbed to your channel. 👍

[@charliesae3]

What kind of Fore grip is that brother?

[@RageQuit003]

Magpul M-LOK AFG.

[@7badcat]

Im very very new to firearms, so i dont wanna invest extra money on guns that im not very into to begin with (800$-1000$ AR-15's). I was considering Radical Firearms but im unsure now. I dont wanna go to the struggle of shipping back and forth a gun, even less having injuries and damaging my own gun that i barely am able to afford :c

[@RageQuit003]

All valid concerns.

[@AXNJXN1]

Interesting story to say the least. Watched your original one with deep analysis and now this one. Thought at first you were bitching beyond the level of necessity and as your story revealed, RF's Customer service certainly failed to apply effort, value on your purchase or value to the extremely and poorly QC critical part aside from the sheer danger of their product build. The expanded brass would have certainly pissed me off too! I'm a Retired Vet and shot AR's for 3 decades. A badly built AR is a bomb waiting to hurt someone so your plight has definite merit; at ANY price of a firearm. What makes the point is Phil's communication. It was impressive to hear your thorough interaction with Phil and 'his' sincere intent to completely reverse your experience by providing what should have been done in the first place. I'm not sure if you placed a 'warning' or update to your previous video showing a link to to this video, but if it's there good, I may have missed it but if not, I'd certainly put one back on that vid to alert viewers that you have a critical update to that video. Phil at least deserves that IMO so as to not deter sales potentials from that video since you've posted this one. Overall, incredible story, glad it all got rectified and Phil stepped to the line to make it complete and safe. Wished other gun manufactures would step out of their polished stone walls and deal with their problems like this. And because OF this updated video, I'd now consider buying one from RF. Thanks for the deets; made a difference!

[@RageQuit003]

I appreciate the comment. The original video has always had the updated title, description and pinned comments with dates.

[@adamadams6740]

I don’t see any place you can buy just the Radical defense uppers? You can buy the entire gun,do you know of any place to get just the upper? Radical firearms are easy too find,but not Defense.

[@RageQuit003]

I don't. I haven't researched it at all. I've gotten ads for the complete gun, but never seen any for just Defense uppers.

[@adamadams6740]

@ ok thanks,I’d buy at least 2 if they were available,I have regular Radical firearms but,would like to upgrade to their better hand guard and BCG.anyway thanks,

[@philhaag2178]

I'm Phil. I no longer work for Radical, however I can tell you they do not sell just the uppers.

[@adamadams6740]

@ thank you appreciate you taking time to answer me

[@UriahProst]

You really should take down the original video or make it part of this video. 99% of people will not see the update, and that's just how it works.

[@RageQuit003]

It's true most people won't bother checking the follow up. However that was not the agreement Phil and I came to. We agreed I would update the title and make a follow up. Original stays as a snapshot in time along with the original commenters. It also would look like Phil bought my forgiveness with their premium upper if I removed the original.

[@brandonwindsor5313]

Who cares for the follow up vid they sell shit ars mine blows everything brass wise just buying a new barrel fuck there customer service from a non youtuber standpoint