Has anyone here actually broken a Lightining Link

[jsitz]

I have heard all the stories, but can't find any proof. I tried searching the forms but can't locate anything. With the protector from KNS I really can't see any problematic possibilities. Please educate me.

 

[raffica]

I have heard all the stories, but can't find any proof. I tried searching the forms but can't locate anything. With the protector from KNS I really can't see any problematic possibilities. Please educate me.

improperly milled lower (non mil spec per specs of 1985 or so) will provide stress areas to damage the notches that hold the paddles, and other areas.

with a properly spec'd lower, and KNS protector, I'd say breaking a RLL is very, very low probability. IMHO, YMMV. and there are those on this board that are qualified & capable of doing significant repairs to a broke RLL. all within the legal constraints of the NFA Act of 1934, arcane piece-of-crap-anti-gun-perverted-by-BATFE legislation that it is.

 

[M60joe]

Here's the first of six I've done with one or both paddle retaining tabs broken. Knock on wood, none have come back...http://www.uzitalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10831&highlight=broken+rll

This one was a first non tab repair

 

[sig-x]

Dang Joe you do good work. Can't wait for my form 4s to come in so I can send you a gun to work on!!!

 

[jsitz]

Well that answered my question.

 

[garandman]

I can't imagine seeing a $5 piece of metal, for which I paid $7,000, return to being a $5 piece of metal.

Thank the good Lord for M60joe.

 

[MrM4]

I see these pics and cant understand why anyone would cheap out and buy a Link? Ive seen Egged out RRs and Cracked / Worn Out RDIAS but those are usally fairly easy fixes compared to a Link.

 

[garandman]

I see these pics and cant understand why anyone would cheap out and buy a Link? Ive seen Egged out RRs and Cracked / Worn Out RDIAS but those are usally fairly easy fixes compared to a Link.

Maybe cuz all a person can scrape together is $7K?

Or cuz a kB could damage a RR beyond repair? And M60joe OBVIOUSLY can repair a LL?

I don't own a LL, but prolly would is I could afford only that.

 

[M60joe]

Nothing wrong with RLL's. With anything, things wear get or get damaged and need fixed.....after many - many rounds.

$6-7k for a RLL vs $12k for the RDIAS or $10k for a receiver is a lot of ammo....

This RLL, below, was "pried" from a receiver by a FFL/SOT. He never told me how it was stuck but I think the RLL paddle was jammed by using a non ramped 9mm bolt...:stick

 

[MrM4]

There may be a differance in cost that amounts to alot of ammo, but in the end you just have a $7k peice of tin, and for a extra $2k you can find a Non Colt RR. Im just saying, save you pennys alittle longer and get something more then a reformed Bottle Cap to be your machine gun.

Aside from a cast RR, i have to beleive a RR is easyer to repair then a LL, maybe im way out in left feild, but I dont think I am.

I would like to know the Ratio of Kabooms in a RR compared to broken LLs.

 

[sig-x]

MrM4 not everyone has that kind of money and they buy what then can afford. I don't think anyone would buy a LL if they had the spare funds to buy a RR or RDIAS.

 

[MrM4]

Maybe Sig -x, I figure if you can scrap up $7k for a LL you should be able to save your money alittle longer and get a quality MG. Guess im alittle bias, I just really dont care for LLs.

Frankly LLs are the "Walmart" brand of M16s, Cheap, Basic, and do most but not all of the stuff a real M16 does.

 

[sig-x]

Maybe Sig -x, I figure if you can scrap up $7k for a LL you should be able to save your money alittle longer and get a quality MG. Guess im alittle bias, I just really dont care for LLs.

Frankly LLs are the "Walmart" brand of M16s, Cheap, Basic, and do most but not all of the stuff a real M16 does.

Yes I feel similar I would never purchase a RLL.

 

[v188]

Maybe the reason I have a couple RLL's is that I bought them years back when they were cheap. Same thing with my Reg Receiver M16's. Today's price doesn't mean things were better/cheaper before.

BTW, I've never had a problem with the Links.

 

[MrM4]

If they were the cheap conversion gadgets that anyone could afford in the 80's Id own a few of them, but the cost of one makes them less then appealing to me. When they drop back to a few hunderad bucks I'll buy 1.

No one seems to have a true accurate count of how many actually exist but the net seems to support the #500 often. They may be a collectors item some day due the low producion numbers and the ones that get destroyed....

 

[Surly]

I'd take a RDIAS over a RLL any day, and possibly over a RR as well. Granted, I don't think you'll ever wear out a cast receiver, but they are a disposable piece. A quality DIAS could survive a KB and can be moved into aother receivers if need be.

At this point, I wouldn't say no to any of them if they were offered to me for the right price.

 

[beltfed]

Maybe Sig -x, I figure if you can scrap up $7k for a LL you should be able to save your money alittle longer and get a quality MG. Guess im alittle bias, I just really dont care for LLs.

Frankly LLs are the "Walmart" brand of M16s, Cheap, Basic, and do most but not all of the stuff a real M16 does.

I just had to comment on this, normally I stay out of this debate. I have a RLL and yes I could have spent more and got an R&R or DIAS. But in my opinion the link was and I still believe is much more MG for the money.

1. With an R&R I would be stuck with one MG (no more of a collector compared to an RLL unless factory m16)
2. DIAS can be moved from one gun to the next but you must transfer fcg *not a big deal have done it many of times but not practical with multiple host* and the extra expense can pay for host guns for the RLL.

I have 3 complete select fire host set up ready to run *one is an AR47 can’t do that with an R&R* open it up drop in the RLL and I’m shooting.

As for damage they all can have problems and need repair. I just shoot and have fun and I’ll deal with it if it happens. I would like to know how the links got damaged, my guess would be mishandling. Damage I’ve seen on R&R and DIAS appear to be from wear.

I’m not saying any other MG is bad it’s just an RLL fit what I wanted to get out of that platform. And I’m not interested in .22 I have a Mac 10 set up in .22 and that’s enough jollies for that round.

 

[jestertoo]

I just had to comment on this, normally I stay out of this debate. I have a RLL and yes I could have spent more and got an R&R or DIAS. But in my opinion the link was and I still believe is much more MG for the money.

1. With an R&R I would be stuck with one MG (no more of a collector compared to an RLL unless factory m16)
2. DIAS can be moved from one gun to the next but you must transfer fcg *not a big deal have done it many of times but not practical with multiple host* and the extra expense can pay for host guns for the RLL.

I have 3 complete select fire host set up ready to run *one is an AR47 can’t do that with an R&R* open it up drop in the RLL and I’m shooting.

As for damage they all can have problems and need repair. I just shoot and have fun and I’ll deal with it if it happens. I would like to know how the links got damaged, my guess would be mishandling. Damage I’ve seen on R&R and DIAS appear to be from wear.

I’m not saying any other MG is bad it’s just an RLL fit what I wanted to get out of that platform. And I’m not interested in .22 I have a Mac 10 set up in .22 and that’s enough jollies for that round.

It's my understanding you can't have the M16 FCG in a receiver w/o the LL.. I.E. you have two too many.

 

[MrM4]

IIRC, LL use semi AR15 parts not M16 FA parts.

 

[garandman]

A quality DIAS could survive a KB and can be moved into aother receivers if need be.

That's why I think a LL or DIAS may both be preferable to a RR. Both have a better survivability probability in the case of a massive kB.

Its another reason I'm still likin' my steel rcvr AC556.