Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Rifles and Shotguns > Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles Dedicated to the Smith & Wesson M&P-15 Rifles


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-20-2016, 04:29 PM
banjosam banjosam is offline
Member
buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem  
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 1
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default buffer retainer problem

At the range today I popped a clip in my AR15 Sport, closed the bolt, clicked off the safe, and pulled the trigger - it didn't fire. I ejected the round and tried again - same thing. I looked at the rounds and no firing pin mark on the primer. Opened up the gun and the buffer retainer was lying beside the hammer - the buffer assembly was no longer contained within the buffer tube. The buffer retainer spring was nowhere to be found. I tried to replace the spring with one from a ballpoint pen, but the retainer wouldn't stay in place. First problem I've had in 2 years. Any idea what the problem is, and how do I fix it?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-20-2016, 05:03 PM
CATI1835's Avatar
CATI1835 CATI1835 is offline
US Veteran
buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem  
Join Date: May 2015
Location: The Republic of Texas
Posts: 809
Likes: 983
Liked 2,006 Times in 480 Posts
Default

An easy fix, but it will require you unscrewing the buffer tube a bit to get the new spring and retainer in. That will require loosening of the castle nut, a special wrench for this is recommended, though you might be able to wing it with some slip joint pliers. YouTube has some excellent videos showing the process. It really is easy.
My guess is the buffer tube was probably never seated deep enough to hold the retainer in place.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-20-2016, 06:55 PM
sgtsandman's Avatar
sgtsandman sgtsandman is offline
US Veteran
buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem  
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Aliquippa, PA
Posts: 1,400
Likes: 351
Liked 714 Times in 476 Posts
Default

CATI1835 covered it. If the buffer tube isn't "seated" properly, the retaining pin can pop out. Sometimes it just takes a while for it to happen. The buffer tube needs to be just barely not touching the center post of the retaining pin so it will not drag on the tube and still depress properly when you want it too.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-29-2016, 09:19 PM
mscampbell2734 mscampbell2734 is offline
Member
buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem  
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 748
Likes: 32
Liked 813 Times in 343 Posts
Default

Is your gun older? By that I mean 8-10 years? If so on the first few production runs Smith did instead of staking the castle nut they tried to speed up production and used loctite. Needless to say over time they learned the hard way to not reinvent the wheel and switched back to staking, the mil-spec standard.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-30-2016, 01:37 AM
snm8510's Avatar
snm8510 snm8510 is offline
Member
buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem buffer retainer problem  
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Virginia
Posts: 229
Likes: 84
Liked 74 Times in 53 Posts
Default

Just get the JP Silent Captured Spring and you'll never have to worry about the retainer pin again!
__________________
Isaiah 43:1-3
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buffer Tube/Spring/Buffer Inquiry macliver Smith & Wesson M&P10 Rifles 3 03-19-2014 10:58 PM
M&P Magazine Base Pad Retainer..... squiddo Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 9 12-23-2013 08:55 PM
Buffer Retainer problems fuegoman1958 Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles 6 04-08-2013 11:11 PM
Buffer Retainer Issue omnis Smith & Wesson M&P15 Rifles 4 02-26-2012 09:50 PM
model 64-6 firing pin retainer 545x39 S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present 2 08-05-2010 05:37 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:28 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)