Posted: 10/26/2013 1:32:13 PM EDT
|
Hi all. While I guess I could post this in trouble shooting section, my gut tells me something w/ this upper was/is defective, and I think those at PSA might want to have a look at this as well.
The carrier that came w/ the rifle kit was the PSA P-tac semi auto version. When I charge the gun (with or without ammo) I'd say a third of the time the bolt does not go 100% into battery (see photo below) It stops about a 1/2" back from closing. 
Rifle in question is a PSA P-Tac "Labor Day" sale YHM Diamond complete upper seen here: http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/labor-day-sale/ptac-16-m4-1-7-5-56-nato-yhm-rifle-length-diamond-rifle-kit.html I also have a PSA full auto bcg that I've tried. While this bcg is better, it still does the same thing, but with less frequency. Another odd thing I've noticed w/ this rifle (noob warning here) after I noticed the bolt not going into battery, I took a full mag, and tried to "hand cycle" the rounds to see if it would feed (done this w/ sks w/out issue, be gentile if this is noob mistake) anyway, with that said, I've tried w/ 3-4 different brands of mags, and they all do the same deal. FTE, tries to load fresh round into the occupied chamber :( First the "noob admisions" 1) first ar. Not first firearm. 2) Dont think this is normal, and am scared to fire this firearm due to safety concerns. My fear to shoot this thing has motivated me to purchace go-no-go gauges from Midway. I got the No-go 5.56 today, but the go gauge is on backorder... will add no-go results when I have time to test. I have a frankengun I am building for wife (I told it was for her, but we all know who its for) PSA blem upper, EES barrel, PSA blem full auto profile bcg - and it does not have the above noted concerns. I took the semi-bcg and lubed it up good, repeatedly moved the bolt in and out by hand to 'break it in" and got rid of alot of the "newness" or stiffness in relation to the bolt to the carrier. I can flick the entire bcg and the bolt now moves freely enough to move normally out of the carrier into the full extended position. So, I am stumped. Dont want to have to pay shipping (or have to wait on slow PSA return shipping, lol) but I am also afraid to use this rifle in the state I received it. Several arfcommers have asked for reviews on the P-tac stuff... I cant review it, but it kinda feels like I may have got a lemon 
EDIT: I forgot something. Another thing it does. When I tried to "hand cycle" a fair bit of the times, it will ftf. A round is picked up from the mag, but it gets pinched by the bolt and the upper. FTF. Sorry. no pics, but its kinda like a "stove pipe" in a semi pistol. I wrote it off as being caused due to me trying to cycle the gun by hand, and not getting the actual force it would get from the DI system if it had actually been fired. Dont know if this has anything to do w/ anything, but felt I should add it in case it helped trouble shoot the above problem. Thanks, and sorry for the long winded explanation 
|
| Idk what youre problem is with the bolt, but I ordered the same kit and it was advertised as a full auto bcg and my kit came with a semi auto bcg too. Wrong bcg but I couldnt even bother to try to call to maybe get someone on the phone and wait 2 weeks for the right one to ship.. |
|
Quoted:
Plenty of lube on the new BCG ? Pull back on charging handle and let it fly, don't ride it. (sling shot) ? This^^ The BCGs from PSA come coated in protective grease. I actually made a thread a month or so ago about how much I liked what they used. My PSA BCG could have sat in the rain for a week and not rusted. OP that is good attention to detail and you should not be faulted for questioning what is going on, but it really does not present a dangerous condition. The hammer in the AR, like many firearms, also will drive the bolt carrier into battery before it reaches the firing pin. The worse thing that can happen is that your AR will not fire. It will not fire out of battery. For an AR to fire out of battery takes multiple failures in machining several parts and the chances of that are slim to none. Clean off the packing grease with CLP and go shoot your rifle. |
|
Thanks guys, for not flaming me. Was embarrassed to even bring it up for open discussion. Was afraid I was doing something wrong, lol.
Quoted:
Remove the bolt from the carrier and place it back into the upper.... does it slide completely free ? If yes, place your other bolt into this carrier and try this combo. Try to isolate the problem child.... Bolt ,Carrier, or upper receiver. Yes, w/out the bolt, it slides without problem. With either bolt installed, when it gets to where the bolt lugs lock down, there is a tiny bit of resistance but figure that to be normal. Oh, I did try the no-go gauge just for kicks. The bcg sticks past the back of the upper right at 3/16" - Midways PTG 5.56 go-gague wont be back in stock till after Thanksgiving. Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. Started w/ your advice, but nothing to report yet. This problem seems to be like a car that wont start all week, and as soon as you tow it to the mechanic, it fires right up! Quoted:
Idk what your problem is with the bolt, but I ordered the same kit and it was advertised as a full auto bcg and my kit came with a semi auto bcg too. Wrong bcg but I couldnt even bother to try to call to maybe get someone on the phone and wait 2 weeks for the right one to ship.. Cant say as I noticed what BCG was offered on the 'labor day' sale. The SKU on my invoice was 37261. If it were the other profile, I wouldn't mind exchanging this one 
Quoted:
Quoted:
Plenty of lube on the new BCG ? Pull back on charging handle and let it fly, don't ride it. (sling shot) ? This^^ The BCGs from PSA come coated in protective grease. I actually made a thread a month or so ago about how much I liked what they used. My PSA BCG could have sat in the rain for a week and not rusted. OP that is good attention to detail and you should not be faulted for questioning what is going on, but it really does not present a dangerous condition. The hammer in the AR, like many firearms, also will drive the bolt carrier into battery before it reaches the firing pin. The worse thing that can happen is that your AR will not fire. It will not fire out of battery. For an AR to fire out of battery takes multiple failures in machining several parts and the chances of that are slim to none. Clean off the packing grease with CLP and go shoot your rifle. Thanks! I appreciate the detailed feedback. |
|
Quoted:
Plenty of lube on the new BCG ? Pull back on charging handle and let it fly, don't ride it. (sling shot) ? +1. My PTAC also came with BOC soaked in protective grease and take a good cleaning with solvent to allow the bolt move freely. Semi-auto or full auto carrier does not matter in this case. |
|
Quoted:
I didn't see you answer the question - are you letting the BCG fly home like you should or are you riding the charging handle forward? What happens if you tap the forward assist? Hey bud, thanks for popping on. When it sticks as shown on the pic on the first post of thread, the forward assist does not "push it home" Nope, it can do it either way. I can turn it loose in "slingshot" style as mentioned in a few replies, or if I am riding it as you mention. A few other folks mentioned the need to clean the BCG real good, then lube it up. I did that not long after I got it. My first gun of this sort was a sks, covered in long term storage gunk, so I do understand the need to clean/lube stuff when you first get it. Just confused I suppose. Do appreciate the helpful advice. Thanks all. EDIT: Hey Synster. The base of that optic look familiar? |
|
Quoted:
Pull back on charging handle and let it fly, don't ride it. (sling shot) ? This. It's the most common error I've seen with new AR owners. I've had so many friends call with the same problem, pull it all the way back and let it go, it should seat just fine. |
|
Quoted:
Absolutely 
Now can you freely move the bolt back and forth with the assembled BCG out of the rifle? Love the optic. Have actually snagged two more used ones on the EE :) Yes, the bolts move better now, than when I got them new. Quoted:
is your bolt set up with the 'o' ring under the extractor? yes Quoted:
Quoted:
Pull back on charging handle and let it fly, don't ride it. (sling shot) ? This. It's the most common error I've seen with new AR owners. I've had so many friends call with the same problem, pull it all the way back and let it go, it should seat just fine. Thanks for the feedback. Sounded like Fr3d had the best advice. When I am able, I'll take it out to the country and see if it will go bang. Much appreciation to all the patient replies to my newb concerns/worries. Will post an update when able. |
|
Quoted: Idk what youre problem is with the bolt, but I ordered the same kit and it was advertised as a full auto bcg and my kit came with a semi auto bcg too. Wrong bcg but I couldnt even bother to try to call to maybe get someone on the phone and wait 2 weeks for the right one to ship.. dude ditch that semi bcg and get what you ordered - a full auto bcg PSA is great about returning products - just call up customer service and explain your issue same goes for OP - send it back before you shoot it! |
|
Quoted:
dude ditch that semi bcg and get what you ordered - a full auto bcg PSA is great about returning products - just call up customer service and explain your issue same goes for OP - send it back before you shoot it! Quoted:
Quoted:
Idk what youre problem is with the bolt, but I ordered the same kit and it was advertised as a full auto bcg and my kit came with a semi auto bcg too. Wrong bcg but I couldnt even bother to try to call to maybe get someone on the phone and wait 2 weeks for the right one to ship.. dude ditch that semi bcg and get what you ordered - a full auto bcg PSA is great about returning products - just call up customer service and explain your issue same goes for OP - send it back before you shoot it! The link provided describes an AR-15 carrier...semi-auto...that being the case it appears that OP got what he ordered... There is another kit here that has the M16...full-auto. |