ar15 not cycling

hunter223

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Nov 18, 2007
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ok, bought some CHEAP wolf 223 surplus and went out to shoot it. the first 4-5 rounds went fine then all the sudden, the bolt wasnt cycling far enough to load another round. all extracted fine but wouldnt even throw the bolt carrier back far enough to lock it on an empty mag. loads not hot enough? or gas tube blockage? yall ever had this problem? if so, what to do. thanks, Hunter
 
Re: ar15 not cycling

Ensure the gas tube is not blocked, then check the bolt carrier key, make sure its tight, then I would suspect ammo. I have put about 15k of wolf thru my AR15, never had a problem like this with it.
 
Re: ar15 not cycling

I would think it might be the ammo. Check the gas rings on the bolt first. With the amount of pressure in the gas tube I seriously doubt that there is any problem with it. The pressure is so high that it would clear any problem on its own, unless it doesn't line up with the bolt carrier. Is the rifle new?? Most ARs will shoot Wolf ammo without any problems but I have had problems with Wolf ammo in handguns though.
 
Re: ar15 not cycling

You don't have the laquer coated shit do you? The polymer coated(good) stuff is more grey colored. The laquer coated(shit) is more greenish. That may be your problem. I'd only buy Wolf if it's polymer coated.
 
Re: ar15 not cycling

go to ar15.com, you're on the wrong website. There are lengthy articles written on short-stroking possibilities...and there are quite a few possibilities you have to sort through.
 
Re: ar15 not cycling

The bolt carrier key is the most likely culprit.
Make sure it is on tight. If it isn't, remove it, clean the mating surfaces, and stake it.
I've had one cause the problems that you're describing.
Good bolt gas rings should support the weight of the carrier if set vertically on the bolt.
Probably not causing the SS though.
 
Re: ar15 not cycling

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hunter223</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ok, bought some CHEAP wolf 223 surplus and went out to shoot it. the first 4-5 rounds went fine then all the sudden, the bolt wasnt cycling far enough to load another round. all extracted fine but wouldnt even throw the bolt carrier back far enough to lock it on an empty mag. loads not hot enough? or gas tube blockage? yall ever had this problem? if so, what to do. thanks, Hunter </div></div>

This happens all the time to me when shooting wolf crap ammo. The QC on the powder is variable and they sometimes underload their stuff. I was shooting Wolf ammo on two carbines the the short-stroke or lack of ejection happened on both rifles.

This is the checklist that I went through when the problems started:

1. Check gas tube for blockage.
2. Check carrier key for loosening.
3. Cleaned the chamber VERY WELL with a chamber brush. (wolf is super dirty)
4. Check bolt/carrier for any funny business.
5. Check buffer and spring.

Number 5 and 3 solved my problem. My H Buffer was too heavy for the light loaded Wolf ammo, it was short stroking. And the chamber was VERY dirty, causing the brass to stick.

I put in a light buffer, clean it often and didn't have any problems since.