Owners of the Rode NTG-2, I have a question...
 

I got my mic today brand new and after taking it for a test drive, I"m blown away by how powerful it is...however, I do have one question:

When you screw / unscrew the battery compartment does it sound and feel like you're grinding rock against concrete? It's very rough, not like any screw-on I've ever felt but I was wondering if the mic was just build like this.

Also, if you unscrew the compartment, you'll see residue of little gold flakes that look like the result of grinding metal against metal.

If it's normal, I'll deal with it but I cringe every time I screw / unscrew the compartment thinking I'm grinding the threads down to nothing.

Dodgy threads.
 

This sounds like there is metal swarf left in the threads,or worse still,crossed threads.The screw action should be nice and smooth .With your problem things will only get worse if you continue using as is. Open the battery hatch then blow the threads to remove any particles,then wipe the threads and see if they look ragged on the edges.If they do,I would return the unit and get a replacement.The threads are so fine,any damage will lead to jamming or slipping before very long.They probably left a small particle of metal swarf on the threads after manufacture and its caught up and damaged the thread crowns.

Thanks! I took a damp paper towel and ran it along the outter threads and again in the inner threads, and found a bunch of metal particles. After making 5 or 6 passes on each thread it seems to be much much smoother now. Thanks for the help!