AR-15 problem

R

rgitzlaff

New member
One of my AR-15's has a problem that has been plagueing me since I got it. Basically, it starts to jam after 20-30 rounds. What happens is this, I charge a round into the chamber, I pull the trigger, the hammer drops, nothing happens. I go to pull out the round, it is stuck shut. I can't pull the bolt back, I can't open up the reciever, I can't pound the forward assist in far enough to open the reciever. Once it happens, it will be happening on almost every round. After cleaning, it goes away but only for a while. I suspect a rough or tight chamber. Or possibly the headspace is too short in combination with one of those. Any ideas?

Thanks
Ryan

edit: I use handloads that are not near max and the brass only has a couple of loadings on it. Perhaps I am not sizing enough for the tight chamber??
 
Are you full length resizing??? I mean all the way resizing!! Had the same problem with a remington simi 30-06. Full length resize and problem went away. Just my thoughts!! 'Mo
 
I do full length resize. I started out neck sizing only, then had the problem of cases stuck in the chamber after firing after they had a reload or two on them. Had to knock them out with a cleaning rod. Full length sizing stopped that.
 
Disassemble the upper from the lower and remove the bolt carrier/charging handle. Use a magic marker to color one of your resized cases, drop it into the chamber and wiggle it around with your finger, then remove it. Where the magic marker has rubbed off will tell the story.

I'd bet its binding near the case head. This means you need a small base sizing die. BTDT nearly 25 years ago.
 
What ammo are you using? Some stuff out there is very dirty and cruds up a chamber quickly. It is also possible that the chamber could use polishing. If you can't send the barrel back, you can try wrapping some 600 or finer grit emery paper around a slit dowel and running it into the chamber on a power drill. Just a couple of passes should be enough - don't overdo it.

Jim
 
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