r/22lr • u/Justin_inc • 1d ago

Area 419 scope base still causing ejection issues with Tikka T1x,1 year later

Hey everyone, figured it was worth bringing this back up since it’s been about a year since my original post.

I originally started having intermittent ejection failures with my Tikka T1X after switching from an MDT 50 MOA scope base to an Area 419 30 MOA base. The rifle had been essentially flawless before the switch. After installing the A419 base, I started getting failures to eject where the spent case would occasionally catch above the magazine instead of clearing the ejection port.

At the time, I noticed that the Area 419 base has a fairly substantial lip that extends over part of the ejection port, whereas the MDT base has considerably more clearance in that area.

A year later, I still haven't seen a resolution from Area 419.

What's made this more frustrating is that I've had quite a few other T1X owners reach out to me via DM or comment on other posts after experiencing the exact same issue. I've been able to help several of them troubleshoot their rifles, and in a number of cases the scope base/ejection-port clearance ended up being relevant to the problem.

I generally like Area 419's products, so this isn't intended as a hit piece against the company. But after a year, and after talking to multiple other T1X owners experiencing similar ejection problems, I'd really like to see this properly addressed.

TL,DR. Don't buy an Area419 rail for Tikka T1x's.

Original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/22lr/s/AQg525pRnc

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

1

u/13_beers_at_Chilis 1d ago

My T1X with Area 419 30MOA rail does this as well, I thought it was just a quirk of the gun. Annoying to find out its a persistent thing.

1

u/Flaky_Investment7020 15h ago

Made a new account just to say I’m 80% certain I had the same issue.  Mine was failing to eject at least once per mag for the first ~300 or so rounds, with two different mags and conscious effort on my part to not short stroke.  Which was odd because it’ll consistently throw live rounds 8’.   I swapped the area 419 rail to the OEM tikka one-it has deep chamfers on both sides (to also accommodate left hand) which greatly increases ejection port area.  Only ~150 rounds since but no failures to eject.  I did some polishing to the extractor and shifted the mag well at the same time to help feeding, hence the 20% uncertainty.  I’m pretty sure your post made me suspect the rail, so thanks.  

Added PSA regarding feeding issues since I’m already sharing: as far as I can tell, the action is controlled round feed-the rounds jump under the extractor as soon as they clear the  mag.  They don’t quite make it all the way though and sit at a slight angle  so it relies on the chamber to align/seat the cartridge.  Tac-22, with its greasy lube and round profile, slides right in.  CCI, with its tacky wax and slight ridges, catches on the chamber mouth and binds.  My theory on the feeding issues is that some combination of weak mag springs, stiff extractor spring and sharp extractor claw causes the problems.  Good news is these can be solved with further tuning and break in, which is good because I’m tired of my $650 bolt gun giving me issues when my $200 10/22 runs just fine.  

0

u/MissingMichigan 1d ago

What were you expecting from them?

3

u/Justin_inc 1d ago

A solution. As in fix their design flaw.

1

u/scottf3242 1d ago

A medal and pat on the back