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AR15 firing problem

areaone

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 16, 2009
11
0
76
Illinois
Have a new upper, put it on an existing lower, first 8 shots fired then only a "click", charging handle was almost impossible to pull the bolt back to eject the unfired round. unfred case shows nothing or a very lite dimple on the primer from the firing pin. Tried this on five or six rounds and no firing only the "click" of the hammer release. Rounds are(primers) fine, they are not the problem. Is it the bolt carrier, or is headspace off and the round is being pushed forward upon firing. Any ideas or similar experience would be grealy appreciated to correct this problem.
 
Re: AR15 firing problem

In the Army we get this on the SASS when we fire blanks, not enough gas to move the bolt back and the case expands when it is fired. Maybe a gas problem?
 
Re: AR15 firing problem

It is a SASS but the round never fires due to the firing pin not striking or barely striking the primer, when it did fire no problem with ejection. It just wont "go off" when the trigger is pulled and the firing pin drops.
 
Re: AR15 firing problem

Yes, Fl sized and no problems in any other Ar15 I have, been reloading for 35 years. New brass and fired brass neither works.
 
Re: AR15 firing problem

Try a different bolt carrier group in your upper. If it fires then you have it somewhat nailed down to a couple items. Definately take the bolt carrier group apart and look for funny wear signs and if the firing pin is the right length. Firing pin? do you have enough lube? might sound like a stupid thought but adding the right lube might make the difference. Try the Slick 2000 ewl. good stuff. Good luck.
 
Re: AR15 firing problem

My thoughts also, this is NEW upper and bolt, assembled by a very reputable group. Components so hard to find, hope it is a simple fix. Lube idea a good start. Thanks.
 
Re: AR15 firing problem

Is the bolt going all the way into battery?
The difficult extract without having fired would lead me to believe there is something in the chamber or BCG binding things. I once had it happen with a small shard of brass. On mine the hammer can release before the bolt is fully in battery, but the pin is either not struck or can't strike the primer.
 
Re: AR15 firing problem

Your brass, originally fired in a fat MILSPEC chamber, was not resized close to original virgin case specs (did you use a full-length sizing die?).

Trying to shove that reload into a tight commercial or match .223 Remington chamber and you're having failure to extract problems (may even be at risk for slam-fires).

Try factory ammo and/or a small base sizing die.

My work here is done.
 
Re: AR15 firing problem

Sometimes, the chamber in the barrel maybe cut too tight. Why don't you try with factory loads and/or virgin brass first and see if the problems persist? If it goes away, that tells you to use a small base resizing die as opposed to an FL one.

I have a rifle whose chamber was cut too tight. I ended up needing to use both a modified small base die AND a different brand of FL die to get the reloads to fit.
 
Re: AR15 firing problem

5.56 chamber, New brass same problem, no go Boom. Will check the chamber to see if anything is "lurking" there that should not be. I will take this back to the build next Tuesday for them to correct, just thought if it was an easy fix...., but looks as tho it is more than an easy fix.
 
Re: AR15 firing problem

What gas system is on it? What buffer are you running?


This very much sounds like a headspace issue, but it could be too much buffer weight for the gas system or the wrong gas port diameter.
 
Re: AR15 firing problem

try on different lower. if it works try swapping disconnectors. ive seen this fix a similar problem. also be sure you have correct spring under disconnector.
other things to check is are you running a high low or medium mass bolt carrier.