AR-15 problems with the bolts

C

chink

New member
I was having extraction problems with my Bushmaster 16" shorty , so I swapped the bolt out from my OLy and put it in the BM. Now the BM doesn't have extraction problems, but the bolt in the oly won't close all the way on the first round of a magazine about 40% of the time. Never a problem with the second round or any round after that.

It might be a magazine problem, because I only used one mag during that range session. thoughts?
 
I'd be extremely careful swapping bolts.. the headspace might be different, and if it's too bad, you could get a KB. Changing bolts can also change the wear characteristics. I'd put the BM bolt back in the BM. Try getting a new extractor, they aren't all that expensive, or just swap the extractor from the Oly bolt to the BM bolt. Swapping parts is great for troubleshooting.
 
Be Careful, chink!

One of you experts correct me if I'm wrong, but chink could have serious headspace problems from swapping bolts. :eek:

Oooops! 1911Fence beat me to it! ;)
 
It sounds like the headspace is too tight on the OLy, so it might be a bit excessive on the BM. Checking headspace when swapping bolts is a good idea, though usually there is no problem.

Jim
 
Yeah I know there could ba a headspace problem we were at the range and My friend who just turned 18 really likes the shorty. i think the problem is extractor spring. Just haven't gotten around to replacing it. but the bolt should be going back into the proper gun when I get thet he range next
 
brass chips have been known to be found lodged under the extractor

i doubt there is that much of a HS difference between 2 functioning ARs
 
There is probably not enough difference in the headspace to matter. While all the military TMs say don't mix bolts, read farther into the trouble shooting part. The fix for either tight of excessive headspace is to replace the bolt. There is no adjustment that you can do on an AR or M16. You replace the bolt and if that doesn't fix it, you replace the barrel.

You might just clean under the extractor well. If you get a lot of crud in the little groove it won't hold the cartridge case. Also make certain you have either a blue or black nylon insert under the extractor spring. If all else fails, replace the extractor.

What ammo were you shooting? Olys are known to have tight chambers. In fact they even advertise them as "match" chambers.

HTH

Jeff
 
We used to clean M-16s by tossing all the parts into cleaner and pulling out whichever we came to. Never had headspace problems.

I know it makes people mad when I say it, but in my experience, BMs are BMs. As in: pieces of crap. I have NEVER seen a good one. Crooked flash suppressors, sights that have to be maxed left or right to get on paper, wobbly fire selectors...I won't have one as a gift.
Considering past experience, they likely milled the bolt wrong--you noted that the bolt had problems in both weapons.
 
Mike, come see mine.

It's a work of mechanical art.

ANd prints nice groups, very consistantly, with minimal cleaning.


WL

But, to each his own.
 
TXlewis:
It's amazing, the back and forth between Oly and Bushy fans. Both see all kinds of problems with the other...

Dunno. The one's I've seen were well made at a glance, had serious but correctable flaws up close. Since I've never bought one, I can't say as to the company.
 
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