Help with AR... Stuck shells... > AR Discussions

Posted: 8/21/2007 9:57:00 PM EDT

I just bought a new AR and I keep getting stuck shells. Twice in about 100 rounds I get an empty case stuck in the chamber, bad enough that it rips off the rim. I've had to use a cleaning rod to tap out the shell, but there's no damage to the case or anything??? What on earth is the problem? I've owned other 5.56 rifles and never once had this problem. help!

Posted: 8/21/2007 10:00:25 PM EDT

[#1]

What kind of barrel?chromelined?5.56 chamber?dirtychamber?what do the rims on the other 98 rounds look like?need more info

Posted: 8/21/2007 10:03:18 PM EDT

[#2]

No chrome... Wilson barrel, only put 100 rounds through it so I can't imagine it's too dirty... I'm baffled.

Posted: 8/21/2007 10:04:06 PM EDT

[#3]

Yes. What kind of AR?

According to some ARFCOM folk Certain manufacturer's make their AR's to be disposable once they start jamming....Or at least should.

Posted: 8/21/2007 10:04:45 PM EDT

[#4]

Oh, as far as the other rounds, I haven't payed any attention... I work late, so I'll go fire off a couple more tomorrow morning and see.

Posted: 8/21/2007 10:07:30 PM EDT

[#5]

What ammunition are you using?

Posted: 8/21/2007 10:07:46 PM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Oh, as far as the other rounds, I haven't payed any attention...

This is how people lose fingers and eyes.

Some manufacturers make tighter chambers.

Posted: 8/21/2007 10:08:41 PM EDT

[#7]

Factory new Rem ammo. Don't rememver which exactly (and I'm at work so I don't have the box in front of me).

Posted: 8/21/2007 10:09:58 PM EDT

[#8]

height=8

This is how people lose fingers and eyes.

Some manufacturers make tighter chambers

Thanks, that was a lot of help. I inspect my ammo before I shoot it (all of it), but I don't usually inspect my spent brass. Sorry.

Posted: 8/21/2007 10:11:04 PM EDT

[#9]

It's a new rifle, so did you clean it before firing it?

Give the chamber a good scrubbing and try it again.

Posted: 8/21/2007 10:13:00 PM EDT

[#10]

height=8

It's a new rifle, so did you clean it before firing it?

Give the chamber a good scrubbing and try it again

I did, and I'll give it a cleaing tonight and try again tomorrow...

Posted: 8/21/2007 10:25:26 PM EDT

[#11]

Is your chamber .223 or 5.56?
What kind of ammo? (.223 or 5.56, what brand?)
How is the weapon lubricated?
What barrel length?
What gas tube length does it have?

Posted: 8/22/2007 12:03:03 AM EDT

[#12]

height=8

Is your chamber .223 or 5.56?
What kind of ammo? (.223 or 5.56, what brand?)
How is the weapon lubricated?
What barrel length?
What gas tube length does it have?

-5.56
-Factory new Rem
-Spray lubed after initial cleaning
-16"
-mid length I believe...

Posted: 8/22/2007 5:33:15 AM EDT

[#13]

get a chamber brush and scrub that bitch out to start, if that doesn't work try a different brand of ammo. if it's still FUBAR then you need to post pics. hope this helps.

Posted: 8/22/2007 10:28:20 AM EDT

[#14]

Sounds like you're getting a failure to extract.

That is often caused by 'over gassing' - your gas port may be too large so the bolt starts trying to extract the case before pressure has dropped enough.

Combine that with the old 'rifle' extractor spring & insert (which will lose it's grip in those instances).

You can most likely fix the symptoms by using one of Bravo Company's bolt upgrade kits (it has a new/stronger extrator spring, extractor spring insert, and extractor spring assist [a little donut like thing that goes around the extractor spring]).

However, that will not solve the root cause of the problem (an over sized gas port) - for that you'd either need a new barrel, or have someone like Randall fill the hole and redrill it. As it's a new gun I'd say have the manufactuerer supply a new barrel.

Posted: 8/22/2007 11:44:25 AM EDT

[#15]

if he is ripping the rim off the case ,I would say the extractor is doing it's job. never thought about over gassing and over preasure of the gas system ,that' a new one on me . my guess is a tight chamber.

Posted: 8/22/2007 12:12:14 PM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
if he is ripping the rim off the case ,I would say the extractor is doing it's job.

See that is the point of contention. I saw it as the extractor was comming off the case (ripping off) because he clearly stated there was NO dammage to the case

As seen here:

bad enough that it rips off the rim. I've had to use a cleaning rod to tap out the shell, but there's no damage to the case or anything???

If indeed a chunk of the rim is missing then you extend the possibilities to:
Bad chamber (either too small OR scratches/pits)
Over Gassing (overgassing can cause rims to be removed if the brass is soft and the extractor is strong).

never thought about over gassing and over preasure of the gas system ,that' a new one on me .

It's not uncommon with 'low tier' AR barrels - usually those of Carbine length. It's also seen on carbine barrels that have been shot alot to the point the gas port has erroded larger.

Posted: 8/22/2007 12:44:03 PM EDT

[#17]

what about a pigtail gas tube? imght delay it just long enough.

Posted: 8/22/2007 12:48:32 PM EDT

[#18]

You can try a couple things.

Switch to a 9mm buffer and an XP extractor spring. The 9mm buffer may slow the action enough that the pressure drops some before the extraction phase.

or have the chamber/throat recut to propper 5.56mm specs.

Posted: 8/22/2007 1:24:19 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
what about a pigtail gas tube? imght delay it just long enough.

If it is overgassing, then I'd suggest a PRI fat-boy instead (along with the extractor 'upgrades' as previously outlined) if the OP can't get a new barrel.

Posted: 8/22/2007 2:03:06 PM EDT

[#20]

what brand of ammunition are you using with your ar-15? You might be using a lower quality bullet. My friend has a cheaper ar-15 and he has been using the wolf ammunition and had the same problem of shells getting stuck in the barrel

Posted: 8/22/2007 2:23:00 PM EDT

[#21]

He mentioned he was using Remmington brand. Wolf is a different issue altogether (see the thread on it from yesterday).

Posted: 8/22/2007 5:13:06 PM EDT

[#22]

I cleaned the chamber and bore thoroughly and am happy to report another 100 rounds down range but this time with no problems.

After cleaning on the right, before cleaning on the left:

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/eyesacr/155_5566_1.jpg

Thanks for listening to my problem, even though it was just a cleaning issue. Still don't understand how it could get that dirty in 100rds...

Actually shot some good groups while I was at it.

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