ar-15 problems

[450 racer]

went shooting my colt ar today and I keep having feed problems, I have tried different mags both steel and p-mags both 20 and 30 round and tried reloads and factory ammo with the same results. The bolt just skips over the next round and does not feed it occasionally it will try to shove 2 in at the same time I don't know what else to try any suggestions will help thank you

 

[Bullet Bob]

Is your AR completely stock?

 

[DeadAye]

What kind ammo?
Mine fails consistently with steel cases. NEVER even one failure with brass.

 

[450 racer]

it is all stock I only shoot brass mostly reloads 55gr fmj I have tried some pmc and Remington factory stuff

 

[LVSteve]

My FFL is a Colt fiend and he recommends XM193 5.56 NATO for them. If your reloads and .223 factory ammo are not pushing the bolt back far enough misfeeds will occur. I have a rifle that came in the box marked 5.56x45 and its cycling is marginal with some factory 55gr .223.

 

[Oldiron]

450 racer, Check your bolt gas rings and bolt carrier key. Sounds more like a short stroke than a standard FTF.
Larry

 

[Rule3]

it is all stock I only shoot brass mostly reloads 55gr fmj I have tried some pmc and Remington factory stuff

Does it malfunction with the factory loads????

 

[MajorDude]

Have you cleaned out your lower recently? I had a short stroking problem a couple of years ago with my Hbar, was even thinking about replacing my gas tube and springs when a fellow shooter suggested I clean the lower. So I hosed out the lower with break cleaner, lubed it back up and haven't had a problem since. AR lowers get incredibly filthy from all that gas and debris blowing through them.

 

[yaktamer]

My AR was consistently short-stroking, and nothing seemd to help. Then I discovered the magic cure, at least in my case: Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil. Lubed it up good, prblem solved. Worked for a buddy of mine too.

 

[2hawk]

Might want to give the chamber a good cleaning as well, sticky extraction will seem like short-stroking.

A good test for short stroking is to push the bottom of the bolt release tab in when you fire the gun and see if it locks back. It should.

 

[450 racer]

just got back from the range I shot some 69 and 77gr match kings at 2800 and 2850 fps and it functioned flawlessly guess it just likes heavy bullets at high velocity

 

[krautski]

55 gr should cycle....AR's like to be run "wet". Try cleaning and oiling-there is a lubing chart on ar15 form that is very handy.

 

[450 racer]

I will be working up a hotter load for the 55gr the ones I was using I loaded for a mini 14 I used to have it liked medium loads I am in the process of giving it a good scrubbing I think I might have the problem solved with better loads and really paying attention to the cleaning and lube thank you all for the great and helpful advice

 

[Doug M.]

Lubing is far more likely to be useful than cleaning. A quality AR (such as a colt) should easily go 20K+ rounds without cleaning. Take a look at this article: AR Issues? Use MEAL to solve your problem. | Modern Service Weapons

 

[NFrameFred]

A little judicious stretching of the recoil spring along with proper lubrication can help solve a problem that is misidentified as a short stroking problem with an AR bolt. Many times the cycle is too fast and it doesn't have time to pick up the next round. I've encountered this more than once on recently built or new guns.

Someone standing safely to the side (wearing eye protection, of course) should be able to observe the feeding cycle, quick as it is. If the bolt moves so fast the eye almost cannot follow it is a lack of resistance problem.