Sticky/Stuck Bolt

[macliver]

So I have had an odd issue with the bolt getting stuck or being really sticky. And I mean right from chambering the first round. I can send a video to show you if you would like. But here's a little more: I have experienced this issue with both the original metal magazine that came with the rifle and several different PMAG's. Same problem with all. I figured it could have been a very stiff spring in the magazine and perhaps it still is but in ALL THE DIFFERENT MAGAZINES I'VE TRIED???!!!

Any thoughts? Has anyone else had this problem? I have stripped the rifle out of the box, cleaned it thoroughly, the ENTIRE rifle. It's spotless. I'm baffled. Please help. Perhaps more break in time?

 

[copemech]

Thoughts, you have to let the charging handle fly back from fully extended or things may stick!

Is that what you mean?

Second thought, it still neads break in, oil the bolt carrier rails or use light grease, they make a lot of wear in black as the things rub in!

 

[MichiganScott]

If you are shooting handloads, you need to size your brass more and knock the shoulder back a couple thousands. If you are shooting factory ammo and different brands stick, you need to contact S&W and have them call back your rifle because the chamber is either rough or undersized.

 

[LuredIn]

Mine did the same thing before I ever pulled the trigger. I would chamber a round then try to eject it and the bolt would not move. I took it apart, got the bullrt out of the chamber and cleaned it well and tried it again and the bolt still would not move. I took it out and shot it to see if it would cycle and it did great. Shot it 10 times then cleaned it then shot it 10 more times and cleaned it. Now it works perfectly. No issues at all.

 

[Vermont]

Mine did the same thing before I ever pulled the trigger. I would chamber a round then try to eject it and the bolt would not move. I took it apart, got the bullrt out of the chamber and cleaned it well and tried it again and the bolt still would not move. I took it out and shot it to see if it would cycle and it did great. Shot it 10 times then cleaned it then shot it 10 more times and cleaned it. Now it works perfectly. No issues at all.

^^^^^ This.

 

[Autococker07]

Look at the bolts locking lugs... I bet they are "melonited" or whatever that coating is.... a coating on the bolt lugs can cause this... until the friction of unlocking works its majik. Don't try to polish the lugs, shoot it and let them bed to the barrel extension. You can use a very light lapping compound on them to speed break in (by increasing wear), but if you do this make sure to clean it out thoroughly as soon as the rifle acts right.

 

[WR Moore]

So I have had an odd issue with the bolt getting stuck or being really sticky. ...........Any thoughts? Has anyone else had this problem? I have stripped the rifle out of the box, cleaned it thoroughly, the ENTIRE rifle. It's spotless. I'm baffled. Please help. Perhaps more break in time?

OK, it's clean. I don't see anywhere where you lubricated the weapon.

You need to apply a lubricant of your choice, the manuals say NO GREASE*, in areas where the bolt carrier group rides in the upper receiver. This would be the rails at the 5 and 7 o'clock positions on the carrier, the cam pin at noon (you're lubing the cam area of the carrier) and the side of the gas block (there's rails on each side that align the gas block-let the lube go there too.) A couple of drops in the gas escape holes in the side of the carrier don't hurt. I prefer to lube the inner surface of carrier where the bolt rides (as well as the rest of the works) with a dry film lubricant.

Your rifle is new and the various parts need to work in. It'll take several hundred rounds. Yes, let the BCG bang home when feeding, that's what it's made to do. BTW, if the dust cover is closed, that adds a surprising resistance to working the bolt, at least in a new rifle.

* In areas where sand/extreme cold isn't an issue, I prefer a wee dab of moly chassis grease on the cam areas of the carrier. I'll also place a dot of the same material on the back of each locking lug on the bolt.

The gent who suggested lapping compound means well, but ignore him.

 

[macliver]

OK, it's clean. I don't see anywhere where you lubricated the weapon.

You need to apply a lubricant of your choice, the manuals say NO GREASE*, in areas where the bolt carrier group rides in the upper receiver. This would be the rails at the 5 and 7 o'clock positions on the carrier, the cam pin at noon (you're lubing the cam area of the carrier) and the side of the gas block (there's rails on each side that align the gas block-let the lube go there too.) A couple of drops in the gas escape holes in the side of the carrier don't hurt. I prefer to lube the inner surface of carrier where the bolt rides (as well as the rest of the works) with a dry film lubricant.

Your rifle is new and the various parts need to work in. It'll take several hundred rounds. Yes, let the BCG bang home when feeding, that's what it's made to do. BTW, if the dust cover is closed, that adds a surprising resistance to working the bolt, at least in a new rifle.

* In areas where sand/extreme cold isn't an issue, I prefer a wee dab of moly chassis grease on the cam areas of the carrier. I'll also place a dot of the same material on the back of each locking lug on the bolt.

The gent who suggested lapping compound means well, but ignore him.

Oops, I did forget to mention I did clean it. I took it apart the day it came home and gave it a thorough 'bath.' I run the BCG's fairly wet (RancidCLP or BreakFreeCLP), Greased the rails with Shooters Choice as well.

I did shoot it today and it had no issues with the bolt engaging, however, I had at least 5% stove pipe issues and one failure to lock on last round fired.

I'll clean it again this weekend and shoot it again. Thanks for the input!

 

[copemech]

Oops, I did forget to mention I did clean it. I took it apart the day it came home and gave it a thorough 'bath.' I run the BCG's fairly wet (RancidCLP or BreakFreeCLP), Greased the rails with Shooters Choice as well.

I did shoot it today and it had no issues with the bolt engaging, however, I had at least 5% stove pipe issues and one failure to lock on last round fired.

I'll clean it again this weekend and shoot it again. Thanks for the input!

With what ammo?

 

[Gun pup]

How is the bolt operating without ammo? No hang ups? Something simple like a slightly misaligned front gas block can twist the gas tube and hang up the gas key.

 

[MichiganScott]

Oops, I did forget to mention I did clean it. I took it apart the day it came home and gave it a thorough 'bath.' I run the BCG's fairly wet (RancidCLP or BreakFreeCLP), Greased the rails with Shooters Choice as well.

I did shoot it today and it had no issues with the bolt engaging, however, I had at least 5% stove pipe issues and one failure to lock on last round fired.

I'll clean it again this weekend and shoot it again. Thanks for the input!

Until it's thoroughly broken in, grease on the rails may be causing your stove piping and failure to lock back. AR's are meant to be run with oil, although many shooters use a light touch of grease.

Again, what ammo are you shooting?

 

[macliver]

With what ammo?

I tested four different types of ammo.

Federal American Eagle 150gr
PPU 168gr
Federal Sierra Matchking 168gr
White Box Winchester 145gr

I amazingly had no issues with the 145gr. I had most of it with the AE 150gr. I had two issues with the 168gr.

The two issues with the 168gr, which was odd, was that it failed to load. I fired two rounds, and when I pulled the trigger nothing. Chamber was empty, yet there were 8 rounds left.

The other issues were the stove piping like I mentioned. And the metal magazine that came with the rifle is mean to the brass. Wish I took pics but the brass had severe crimp marks in a few rounds.

Thanks.

 

[macliver]

Until it's thoroughly broken in, grease on the rails may be causing your stove piping and failure to lock back. AR's are meant to be run with oil, although many shooters use a light touch of grease.

Again, what ammo are you shooting?

I totally agree on the oil, in fact I run my BCG's pretty wet with either RancidCLP or BreakFreeCLP. I did put a smudge of grease on the underside of the BCG.

I'll clean it all off and just use oil for next session. Ammo info shown in post above.

 

[sgtsandman]

From what I read, unless you are planning to be out in the field, crawling through the mud, wet is best. Nope personal experience on that though.

 

[macliver]

How is the bolt operating without ammo? No hang ups? Something simple like a slightly misaligned front gas block can twist the gas tube and hang up the gas key.

The bolt operates fine without ammo. Didn't have any issues at the range the other day.

 

[copemech]

The bolt operates fine without ammo. Didn't have any issues at the range the other day.

Keep running it in and clean that chamber area, it should run ok. Keep us posted after the divorce or financial ruin!

 

[macliver]

Keep running it in and clean that chamber area, it should run ok. Keep us posted after the divorce or financial ruin!

Copemech...Already got the divorce covered!! Once I arrive in Texas in a week, I'll get back to cleaning it again and back to the range. I purchased one of those 308 bore brushes to clean the chamber/feed area. I'll keep you posted but I'll be silent for a bit due to move. Can't wait to get to Texas!