It`s a VERY well known issue, tons of info on it on Shotgunworld. Briefly, appears to happen with some ( not all, by any means ) shooters and their synthetic V3`s . It has to do with the vented gas block. Contact Remington. Their customer service department is very good and has been handling this as a warranty issue and will make it right and have been doing so in an expeditious manner. Newer production synthetics have the unvented block and began shipping those about a year ago. Sounds like you got an "older" one. Not to worry. The V3 is a great gun. I have the walnut variant.