M&P 15-22 Bolt Carrier Sticking

[Cajunmojo]

I have a fairly new "less than a year with less than 100 rounds through it" M&P 15-22, that the bolt carrier is sticking.

I have gave it a thorough cleaning and it still sticks. When I have the upper off, the bolt carrier slides nice. But when assembled, the bolt carrier is hard to pull back and I when I do get it back it will only close about half way.

I looked at the area with a light for any imperfections but nothing stands out.

When I remove the upper and leave just the front pin, and pull on the charging handle the bolt carrier seems stuck and I have to pull on it pretty hard to get it out. But when it does come out, when I reinsert the charging handle and bolt carrier it slides nice.

I notice when I close the upper to lock the back pin in, the bolt carrier catches on the buffer tube. And I have to press on it pretty hard to latch the back pin. And that is when the trouble starts, the bolt carrier will not go forward.

Any help and or advise will be greatly appreciated.

 

[johncal]

Some pics of the bolt carrier and bolt out of the rifle would be helpful. Also have you dropped the bolt assembly or any of the parts during cleaning?

Have you tried to loosen your Flash hider? If you tried to remove it and didn't put the barrel in a vice it may have twisted the barrel in relationship to the upper. The notches in the chamber area would then not line up with the bolt carrier or you might have just twisted the barrel slightly so it will go in but it's distorting the carrier.

 

[Cajunmojo]

As a matter of fact I did remove the Flash Hider to put on a GemTech Suppressor. And I did not use a vise, so all I need to do is twist the barrel "clockwise"? And if so what do I look for, as far as proper alignment.

Thanks

 

[Freeway]

It's possible that you twisted things beyond repair by removing the flash hider from the barrel without using a vice to hold the barrel. Attempting to 'retest' the barrel could likely do even more damage. I hate to say it, but there is a chance your rifle may need to return to Smith & Wesson for repair. Quite a few people here have found the flash hiders to be difficult to remove.

There are a lot of people who know far more than I do about this, and I'm sure some of them will chime in soon.

 

[johncal]

If the bolt carrier lost alignment with the chamber then that means the barrel was rotated to the point where it broke something.

Even if you could get it aligned back up it would probably IMO not remain safe. I'm sure the spline in there is damaged and it's there for a reason. I'd send it back to S&W and have them look it over and do what they need to.

 

[Freeway]

I have a Kineti-Tech shroud to install, and I'm waiting until I can get to a friend's house because there is a vice there to use. No way I'm trying to remove the flash hider without one. I like my toy too much for that!

 

[Cajunmojo]

I am surprised that I would have damaged anything, removing the flash hider was not that hard. I mean I torqued down on it a tad, but it is not like I used a pipe wrench on it with a cheater bar.

But thanks for all your help, guess I will be contacting S&W. Do you think a gunsmith could help me?

Thanks

 

[Freeway]

I am surprised that I would have damaged anything, removing the flash hider was not that hard. I mean I torqued down on it a tad, but it is not like I used a pipe wrench on it with a cheater bar.

But thanks for all your help, guess I will be contacting S&W. Do you think a gunsmith could help me?

Thanks

If there is damage to the upper receiver, I doubt a gunsmith could help unless he/she is able to obtain a replacement. Smith & Wesson would be your best bet. That way, the technicians there can give your rifle a good examination and make any necessary repairs to get your rifle back in working order.

 

[Cajunmojo]

OK I will take your advise and send it back to Smith & Wesson. I am guessing all I need to send back is the upper, that way I do not not need to fill out all the paperwork for shipping a weapon across state lines. But I will confirm with Smith & Wesson to to make sure.

I am glad I have not attempted to change out the Flash Hider on it's bigger brother yet. I will make sure to use a vise in all future endeavors.

Again, Thanks for all your help.

 

[Freeway]

You may want to call or email Smith & Wesson's customer service first. It's likely you will have to send in the whole rifle. The people at customer service will be able to advise you on how to ship your rifle, and may know where you can ship it from. Good luck!

 

[Cajunmojo]

I have a business with a shipping department, have FedEX and UPS accounts so the shipping part is covered.

 

[Majorlk]

OK I will take your advise and send it back to Smith & Wesson. I am guessing all I need to send back is the upper, that way I do not not need to fill out all the paperwork for shipping a weapon across state lines. But I will confirm with Smith & Wesson to to make sure.

I am glad I have not attempted to change out the Flash Hider on it's bigger brother yet. I will make sure to use a vise in all future endeavors.

Again, Thanks for all your help.

There is no transfer or other paperwork involved in sending a firearm to the manufacturer for repairs, or their returning it to you. FedEx can walk you through the process. It must be an actual FedEx facility, not some satellite office.

 

[Juvicator]

Sounds like the above post, barrel twisted on you I bet. With the upper detached, if you can't slide bolt assembly rails into slots on breech face then the barrel has twisted in its seat. Polymer tab(s) keep it aligned. Flip the detached upper over, look at it from the under side and see if the rail tips hit in the Slots or miss. But sounds like a send back issue.

 

[Cajunmojo]

Yeh I noticed when I insert the Charging Handle and Carrier Bolt in the upper, it sticks out about an 1/8 of an inch. I am surprised this thing is so fragile, but definitely a lesson learn.

You guy's have been a great help, I will make sure when I remove my Flash Hider on my S&W M&P 15 I will be using a vise.

Thanks

 

[030201_S&W]

Send the complete firearm With S&W notified.

 

[GhostMutt]

As another thread attests, I cringed away from removing my flash hider even in a vice...that thing is on tight....I am going to follow proper instructions before I attempt to take mine off...every other threaded end protector I've tried has hand screwed on and off...hearing things like this and other horror stories has me scared to attempt it. Thanks to the guys on here I heard about the barrel twist issue which has also led to some sound advise about removing the FH. I can only imagine your frustration, I hope your repair and return is swift so you can get back to enjoying this quirky enigma of a rifle

 

[trebor127]

As another thread attests, I cringed away from removing my flash hider even in a vice...that thing is on tight....I am going to follow proper instructions before I attempt to take mine off...every other threaded end protector I've tried has hand screwed on and off...hearing things like this and other horror stories has me scared to attempt it. Thanks to the guys on here I heard about the barrel twist issue which has also led to some sound advise about removing the FH. I can only imagine your frustration, I hope your repair and return is swift so you can get back to enjoying this quirky enigma of a rifle

GM you will be fine removing yours just remember to use a

big streel hammer

keith

 

[GhostMutt]

GM you will be fine removing yours just remember to use a

big streel hammer

keith

Lol just when I get my head around the attempt, someone mentions 'big steel hammers' and I think 'me, a big steel hammer and a piece of plastic.....at 2am on a Sunday morning with my reputation' bit of fast show humour there for the UK crowd.
Seriously though Hereford's shrouds look really cool and the thought of having one spurs me on to free the threads

 

[trebor127]

Lol just when I get my head around the attempt, someone mentions 'big steel hammers' and I think 'me, a big steel hammer and a piece of plastic.....at 2am on a Sunday morning with my reputation' bit of fast show humour there for the UK crowd.
Seriously though Hereford's shrouds look really cool and the thought of having one spurs me on to free the threads

im thinking Herefords price needs to be nearer Kineti-Techs price

Keith

 

[GhostMutt]

im thinking Herefords price needs to be nearer Kineti-Techs price

Keith

So kineti-tech about £40? plus £10 shipping that's even if you can get them shipped, what import tax did you get (ahem) on your stuff about £10-15?...he was asking £75, I suppose its a bit on the steep side, but it did look good and he may be up for a bit of negotiation

Ben