AR-15 bolt blew in half :(

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - AR-15 bolt blew in half :(

Posted: 5/7/2002 6:42:56 PM EDT

I was out shooting my nine year old Colt Sporter II the other day and the bolt split in two, half of it went back with carrier and the other half stayed locked onto the empty brass still chamber. Had been shooting Wolf ammo last 200 rounds or so and only had fired twenty the day she blew. Anybody got any ideas as why, could you recommend a place to buy a new one, and is there anything I need to know about bolts before I buy one? I know enough to replace it but is there different kinds?

Posted: 5/7/2002 6:46:26 PM EDT

[#1]

They are all the same unless you have an AR pistol.

Try here: Quality Parts

Posted: 5/7/2002 6:53:47 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
I was out shooting my nine year old Colt Sporter II the other day and the bolt split in two, half of it went back with carrier and the other half stayed locked onto the empty brass still chamber. Had been shooting Wolf ammo last 200 rounds or so and only had fired twenty the day she blew. Anybody got any ideas as why, could you recommend a place to buy a new one, and is there anything I need to know about bolts before I buy one? I know enough to replace it but is there different kinds?

OMG! OMG! WOLF AMMO CAUSES ANOTHER MALFUNCTION!

(Just kidding).

Posted: 5/7/2002 7:02:04 PM EDT

[#3]

Let me guess. Failed right at the hole for the cam pin? Seems to be a bit of a stress localizer.. I seriously doubt it was a direct result of the ammo you were using..

As to the bolt, there are a couple views. One says "drop in any old bolt, and go shooting" and another says "Headspace must be checked with the new bolt"..

I'd use a new Colt bolt, and then check headspace, as well as firing pin protrusion..

Meplat-

Posted: 5/7/2002 7:03:37 PM EDT

[#4]

get one from JTdistributing.com

Posted: 5/7/2002 7:05:24 PM EDT

[#5]

Did it look like this?www.fulton-armory.com/Kaboom.htm

Posted: 5/7/2002 7:06:01 PM EDT

[#6]

Is the upper reciever OK ?

Posted: 5/8/2002 5:44:26 AM EDT

[#7]

Thanks for the input all, the upper was fine the bolt really just seperated when firing a round. How would you check the head space? Oh and you were right Meplat it was in the cam hole.

Posted: 5/8/2002 6:39:58 AM EDT

[#8]

Axehole said:

the upper was fine the bolt really just seperated when firing a round. How would you check the head space?

Axehole, no offense, but if you do not know about headspacing the bolt and how to do it, what makes you think you know the upper is fine? The bolt carrier could be damaged, along with the barrel extension.

I do not want your next post as "last six days in the hospital and the food sucked!" or something like that.

Any serious malfunction such as your should be inspected by a qualified armorer or gunsmith. I would hate to hear that you had to put a good horse down.

223REM

Edited because I really, really like this feature!

Posted: 5/8/2002 6:47:59 AM EDT

[#9]

If you don't have the gauges, and have'nt done it before, get a 'Smith to look er over like 223Rem suggested.

As to the reciever, Dyepen inspection at home is a bit messy..See above..

Good luck.

Meplat-

Posted: 5/8/2002 12:48:39 PM EDT

[#10]

Point taken, I didn't see anymarks in side the upper or any unusul marks in the bolt carrier i'll get it to a smith before I take it out again thanks.
AXE

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - AR-15 bolt blew in half :(

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