Tight Bolt?

[Damien]

Just got my M&P 15 OR the other day and have take it apart and put it back together a dozen times already (I love this gun) . Can't wait to get to the range with it!
Its the first AR platform I've had my hands on since I was in the Army back in the 70's. This is where my consern comes in. If memory serves me correctly (it was a long time ago so I may be off base about this), on my M16 (full auto obviousy)when you took the T retaining pin out of the bolt carrier and turned it bolt face side down, the bolt was loose enough it would just fall out. On my unfired M&P15 you have to grab the bolt and drag it out of the carrier. Is this normal for a new AR? Does it loosen up after broken in? Semi's are tighter than auto's? Its a brand new gun and I'm relatively sure its fine. I'm just wondering why my gun's bolt is so much tighter in the carrier than I remember my M16 being?

[JustAnotherGunGuy]

Like you I learned how to operate the M16A1/A2 during my time in the service. Also like you the ones I was issued did fall right out after removing the pin. On my MOE it was tight but loosened up after shooting it a bit. Nothing to worry about, oil it and shoot it(if you can find/afford ammo).

Thank you for your service.

[Bkreutz]

The bolt will eventually loosen up as the gas rings wear but not sure how long that will take. Consider that the M16's that we used in the Army had thousands of cycles on the bolt. I've probably got a couple of thousand rounds through mine and the bolt is still as tight as it was new. Just remember that when we were putting rounds through them in the Army someone else was picking up the ammo bill

[Damien]

Originally Posted by Bkreutz

Just remember that when we were putting rounds through them in the Army someone else was picking up the ammo bill

I know..... On field problems I pulled the trigger as little as possible to make cleaning as easy as possible (especialy blanks). Where I was stationed you could even go out to the range on weekends and shoot all day long (and I nevr went).
If we know then, what we know now ............

BTW Bkreuzt..... You were on Campbell in the 70's? I was on Bragg 73-76..... where I said above free range time on the weekends....... Free (Hollywood) jumps on the weekends too.... That I did go to! After I got out even joined 12th SFG reserve right out side Chicago (where I lived) so I could keep jumping on Uncle Sams nickel

[MichiganScott]

It's actually abnormal for the bolt to drop out without assistance and means the rings have excessive wear.

[Bkreutz]

Originally Posted by Damien

I know..... On field problems I pulled the trigger as little as possible to make cleaning as easy as possible (especialy blanks). Where I was stationed you could even go out to the range on weekends and shoot all day long (and I nevr went).
If we know then, what we know now ............

BTW Bkreuzt..... You were on Campbell in the 70's? I was on Bragg 73-76..... where I said above free range time on the weekends....... Free (Hollywood) jumps on the weekends too.... That I did go to! After I got out even joined 12th SFG reserve right out side Chicago (where I lived) so I could keep jumping on Uncle Sams nickel

If we knew then what we know now....I shudder to think about it. Lots 'O memories (both kinds). "All the way!"