Pws ratcheting end plate - don't waste your money

[zachomega]

I bought one. Thankfully only one. I figured I'd be making my life easier since the 9mm lower won't fit into my magazine vise block.

I expected positive ratcheting. It doesn't. I expected the ratcheting surface to be even. It isn't. The depth of the notches in the castle nut are inconsistent and the final resting place of the nut for my lower is between ratchets. Hardly matters since it doesn't actually ratchet.

What am i missing? Everybody gives this system great reviews. If it weren't more trouble than it is worth, I'd send it back.

-Zach

[zachomega]

Quick update. With nothing to lose, i put it in my vise and hit the "ratcheting" pin forward for a more positive engagement. I guess it "ratchets" more now. But i still would never buy one again. Too expensive and i still don't trust it to work long term.

-Zach

[AHelm3]

I have put them on two of my rifles that originally didn't have QD sockets on the end plates. I wasn't blown away by the engagement between the pin and the teeth. The ratcheting wasn't as "crisp" as I would have expected. That being said, they have done the trick so far and haven't come loose or anything.

[Emptymag]

Before I got a castle nut wrench, I used to put the tip of a flat screwdriver in a notch and tap the screwdriver with a hammer to tighten the castle nut.

They haven't come loose.

[DavidH]

Before I got a castle nut wrench, I used to put the tip of a flat screwdriver in a notch and tap the screwdriver with a hammer to tighten the castle nut.

They haven't come loose.

LOL! I did this SAME thing on countless ARs. And...same results! Works just fine & no loosy goosy on any.

I’ve never been sold on any of the ratcheting or locking endplate/castle nut combo. I recently came across a bulletproof setup of 7075-T6 endplate with quick connect & Titanium castle nut. And the combo is cheaper than any of the gimmicky self locking, ratcheting dealies!

[zachomega]

LOL! I did this SAME thing on countless ARs. And...same results! Works just fine & no loosy goosy on any.

I’ve never been sold on any of the ratcheting or locking endplate/castle nut combo. I recently came across a bulletproof setup of 7075-T6 endplate with quick connect & Titanium castle nut. And the combo is cheaper than any of the gimmicky self locking, ratcheting dealies!

Link?

-Zach

[DavidH]

Link?

-Zach

Message sent your way my friend.

[jthrelf]

With the cost of a new end plate at only a couple bucks, even if you break staking over and over (quit changing your mind!!!!) and replace it, still won't add up to more than one of those fancy setups.

[DavidH]

With the cost of a new end plate at only a couple bucks, even if you break staking over and over (quit changing your mind!!!!) and replace it, still won't add up to more than one of those fancy setups.

Indeed. Of course it’s always wise to source what you know to be high quality. Good steel(4130 or like tool steel), proper Billet Aluminum(7075-T6 or 2024)and it’s always good when it’s Made in USA. Also, Grade5 (6Al4V) Titanium is gtg. Stay away from cheap Stamped, or MIM parts. Don’t even think about using 6061 Aluminum for these two parts. And above all....DON’T go NEAR Chinesium parts from Covid central!

I don’t mind paying a few bucks extra here if I KNOW I’m getting Top Shelf! But I won’t spend $50 on the pair! I won’t even spend $40 on these two together. But around $30 or so for extreme quality and we are talking business.

[ar15jules]

A properly STAKED castle nut won't come loose. It's that simple.