New AR - red dot flickering on and off

[Guest confidence]

I bought a brand new AR-15 a few days ago and am having trouble with the red dot sight it came with. I fired 20 rounds with no problem and then it started flickering on and off at random even with a new battery. Then it started turning on and off with each shot you take, as though the recoil of the gun itself was causing the issue. I put the gun away after that but the next day I got it out and the sight works perfectly. Strange. I am new to AR's. Am I doing something wrong? Should I just take it back to the gun store and ask them to make it right?

[Chucktshoes]

What is the brand on the sight? I would put money on it being a cheap throwaway unit, or one designed for a rimfire rifle. Edited May 20, 2013 by Chucktshoes

[Kenstaroni]

who makes the red dot?  

[bigwakes]

The new bushmaster carbon rifle comes with a red dot optic. I didn't see any markings on it. That's the only AR I'm aware of that comes with a red dot.

[Guest confidence]

This is indeed a Bushmaster Carbon. I looked all over the sight and can't find a brand name on it. All I see is "Made in China", which can't be a good sign...

[Guest confidence]

Hmmm...Reading a few things online that are negative with the Bushmaster Carbon. It has a polymer lower and people are saying they crack and not to shoot steel cased ammo, etc. Hmm. What's your take?

[TripleDigitRide]

Hmmm...Reading a few things online that are negative with the Bushmaster Carbon. It has a polymer lower and people are saying they crack and not to shoot steel cased ammo, etc. Hmm. What's your take?

Personally, I haven't heard anyone complain about them. Then again, I don't personally know anyone that owns one. I can't say that I've read any horror stories on here or the other 1 or 2 sites I frequent.

[TripleDigitRide]

As far as the optic goes, everything I have read indicates that the optic is made by Bushnell.

[Guest confidence]

So you think I should just take it back to the gun store and tell them I need them to make it right?

[TripleDigitRide]

So you think I should just take it back to the gun store and tell them I need them to make it right?

I would try that first. Don't be surprised if they tell you to contact Bushmaster.

[Guest confidence]

Just called the store and they said to come down and they would "try to find a resolution". I hope that means they are going to pull a red dot off the shelf and stick it on there for free. I'll be going there this afternoon and will try to update...

[NoBanStan]

Probably a bad contact point so when you shoot the battery or connector shifts and off she goes.

[bigwakes]

So you think I should just take it back to the gun store and tell them I need them to make it right?

I would probably contact Bushmaster first. Sounds like the store will take care of it though. Best of luck.

[Guest sL1k]

Hmmm...Reading a few things online that are negative with the Bushmaster Carbon. It has a polymer lower and people are saying they crack and not to shoot steel cased ammo, etc. Hmm. What's your take?

I have shot everything out of my carbon 15 with no issues. The first batch they made had some issues with cracking.
I have no complaints out of mine.
Mine came with a Bushnell red dot. I did have the battery cover vibrate loose while shooting and it caused the issues described (my fault for making it finger tight).

[POWHS]

I have had this problem before. What I did was to apply some Dielectric Grease to the battery connection. It worked great for me. You can get it at any auto parts store.

[NoBanStan]

I have had this problem before. What I did was to apply some Dielectric Grease to the battery connection. It worked great for me. You can get it at any auto parts store.

 

Yeah but he just bought the rifle. Slather some on the internals and bushmaster/LGS may very well say it's been tampered with. Best to let them make good on it and save this trick for 3 years later when it's acting up.

 

***edit*** can't type!

Edited May 21, 2013 by NoBanStan

[Guest confidence]

Brought it back to the gun store and they replaced the red dot with no trouble!! Thanks for the input, everybody!

[TripleDigitRide]

Awesome. Which store was it?