Christensen Arms Ranger 22 PROBLEM

[Rademacher]

Christensen Arms Ranger 22. Chamber failure, resulting in burning powder/pressure being released into face, hand, and wrist. This happened with 2 brand new, unmodified, out of the box rifles. The first one happened during it's second trip to the range, the replacement they sent failed the first time we took it out. Same exact problem on both rifles, same point of failure. Ammo being ran was CCI MiniMag 40gr, completely different lot numbers and time of purchase for the ammo, so it wasn't just a "bad batch" from CCI.
Christensen Arms responded fairly quickly with return labels and a call, but claimed no problems like this have ever been reported. I suggested a recall, but didn't receive a response to that suggestion. The rep told me that engineers would look at the rifles, but no one ever followed up with me after the returns and eventual refund.
Response time and professionalism from the rep was great, but I feel like the issue with these rifles isn't being taken seriously. Luckily I had good protective eye wear on, but I know that many people neglect it when recreationally shooting .22's. Face and hands/wrists suffered burns, without eye protection it could have been a lot worse. I was compensated with nothing but a refund.

Anyone else on here ever experience or hear about a problem with one of these rifles???

 

[Bigdave0924]

At least they gave you your money back. Go take that $$ and buy a bergara 22lr.

 

[Rademacher]

At least they gave you your money back. Go take that $$ and buy a bergara 22lr.

I might, I just really dislike that giant mag that the Bergara takes. Nice thing about the CA was that it took 10/22 mags, which I have a lot of. Might like at something from CZ.

 

[Bigdave0924]

I might, I just really dislike that giant mag that the Bergara takes. Nice thing about the CA was that it took 10/22 mags, which I have a lot of. Might like at something from CZ.

A lot people speak highly of the CZ 22s as well. I don’t have any experience with any of them personally.

 

[Belcher79]

I thought the bergara took a 10/22? Maybe is the just the BXR semi and not bolt.

 

[Bigdave0924]

I thought the bergara took a 10/22? Maybe is the just the BXR semi and not bolt.

The rem 700 clone takes proprietary bergara 10 round mags

 

[Belcher79]

The rem 700 clone takes proprietary bergara 10 round mags

That’s right, I remember thinking now that was goofy. My bad!

 

[Gray]

I looked at the CA 22 for a bit. Ultimately went with a CZ 457 Pro Varmint and have been extremely satisfied. This account of the CA makes me even more thankful for the CZ.

I’m glad you were not injured seriously. It seems CA should have done a bit more than a simple refund, especially after two incidents.

The good news is whatever you choose next will be an improvement!

 

[Mack270]

That’s disappointing to hear. I’ve looked at that rifle a few times at a LGS. I really liked the weight and stock. I was just looking but I’m glad I didn’t decide to buy one.

 

[Rademacher]

That’s disappointing to hear. I’ve looked at that rifle a few times at a LGS. I really liked the weight and stock. I was just looking but I’m glad I didn’t decide to buy one.

The combination of the weight, stock, barrel, and trigger really made for an interesting rifle, I was definitely disappointed I had to send both rifles back. After more research, early production ones had extraction issues, and then they changed the bolt and went to a modified double extractor design. The way they machine the barrel for the oversized claws on the double extractor seems to definitely be what is causing the weak point/failure.