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3/8/2005 10:50:43 AM EDT
Okay just finished building my gun, J&T DS-4 Kit on an OLY lower.  It went together easy, and I was Psyched!

But it doesn't seem to operate properly now that it's together.  I can't shoot it until friday when I go to the range.

The lower was fine.  The first couple of times I tried to check it out it seemed okay.  But the charging handle got stuck back a couple of times.  The bolt release doesn't seem to do anything, the only way to get the bolt (and charging handle) to go forward was to pull the trigger.  That can't be right!

Now the charging handle will not pull back.  It only moves the bolt about an inch or inch and a half rearward.

What do I do?  Disassemble everything?  I don't get it.  HELP Please!!
3/8/2005 11:11:00 AM EDT
[#1]
UPDATE:  More messed up!

Okay, I took out the rear takedown pin and found the original problem.  The buffer pin and spring fell out of position and into the fire control.  So I took them out, along with the large spring and metal piece that is in the stock tube (don't know what they're called.)  Put it all back together to see what's up and pulled back the charging handle again.  Now the bolt is to the rear and everything is stuck!  I took out the rear takedown pin again and I cannot separate the upper from the lower!! AHHH!!!!
3/8/2005 11:16:06 AM EDT
[#2]
STOP !

1) If you removed the big spring from the stock, then the bolt carrier is probably sitting in the buffer tube (the stock). Try pointing the muzzle downwards and see if gravity will cause the bolt carrier to drop back into position. Now you will be able to remove the upper again.

2) Once you get the upper and lower seperated, you need to reinstall the buffer retainer & its spring. These parts are supposed to be retained by the buffer tube (located inside the stock) so you will have to reinstall the buffer retainer and then screw the buffer tube in a bit further to be sure the buffer retainer does not fall out again.
3/8/2005 11:26:23 AM EDT
[#3]
Okay I got that now.  Screwing in the stock will only do one of two things:  

Either it is too far out to retain the buffer pin and spring (that's what happened)

or

It is overtight.  The stock won't line up vertically.  Do you know what I'm trying to say?
3/8/2005 11:30:00 AM EDT
[#4]
DAMNIT this sucks.  I can't even explain what's wrong.
3/8/2005 11:36:29 AM EDT
[#5]
Sounds like you still got the rear detent plate on backwards - the plate has a divot on it that goes in towards the lower - they always put these on backwards...

The problem with your bolt catch is that it's haning up on the roll pin i bet, as J&T use the dreaded x-38 - get the same size drill of the roll pin and ream it out - the roll pin should turn free in the hole on the bolt catch before you install it - if not then it's the problem etc...

Also - you need to talk to somebody who has built a AR - your having too many problems honestly, and I'm not trying to be mean

G'luck
3/8/2005 11:37:37 AM EDT
[#6]
I guess I don't understand the fawking instructions on this site.  I don't get it.  Does the fawking retainer need to move up and down?  If so how the fawk does it stay in place?  Why did mine fall the hell out?
3/8/2005 11:39:20 AM EDT
[#7]
You talking about the buffer retainer?  then you got wrong spring in it i bet - possibly you have the bolt catch spring in it - and vice versa
3/8/2005 11:39:52 AM EDT
[#8]
Question: do you have a CAR/M4 (collapsable) stock, a regular A1/A2 fixed buttstock or one of those "fixed-collapsable" postban stocks ?
3/8/2005 11:40:35 AM EDT
[#9]
lay out all your lower parts and make sure with the guide on building lower, that you have right springs etc...  for hat your using them for k?

sometimes when shipping the wrong spring gets jammed into the buffer retainer
3/8/2005 11:41:39 AM EDT
[#10]
lol - not hat - what
3/8/2005 11:46:06 AM EDT
[#11]
First off, thanks so much for your help!

Now, everything seems okay!  I don't know what the hell I'm talking about.  The picture on the instuctions here calls the part I'm talking about the buffer pin and spring.  The white instruction page refers to a retainer and spring so ignore when I said retainer and spring.  And what is the retainer and spring anyway??
3/8/2005 11:47:26 AM EDT
[#12]
SO anyway, why did my buffer pin and spring come out and fall into the lower?
3/8/2005 11:55:03 AM EDT
[#13]
By the way, the bolt release is working properly.  But I still cannot keep the bolt pin and spring from falling out!
3/8/2005 12:00:27 PM EDT
[#14]
Goddamnit I meant buffer pin and spring NOT bolt pin and spring.   They keep falling into the lower receiver.  WHY?
3/8/2005 12:10:51 PM EDT
[#15]
First relax a little.  Make sure you are using the right spring.  When you screw the tube in screw it till it covers the base of the retaining pin but not up tight against the pin. The buffer tube is what holds the pin and spring in. Check the pin by depressing it with your thumb or eraser on the end of a pencil to make sure it moves up and down but not out.  

Sounds like you simply have either had the buffer tube in too tight or too loose instead of just right.

Now after you have assured the pin is in and not going anywhere, you can depress it again and put you buffer spring assembly back in.  

Its a common beginner mistake so don't feel bad.

Tj
3/8/2005 12:14:11 PM EDT
[#16]
Thank you guys so much.  Please ignore this thread up until this point.  I'm an idiot and a total fuktard and everything is now fine.  I was just in a rush and didn't look closely enough at the pictures.  I repeat...everything is perfect...THANK YOU!

Now another related question if you would, please.  Is there a trick to manipulating the takedown pins when you want to close the gun back up?  Wiggle a certain way or whatnot?

Also, what's a good trick when trying to push them out?  Push hard with a tool or what?  Thanks again!
3/8/2005 12:16:15 PM EDT
[#17]

Quoted:
Sounds like you simply have either had the buffer tube in too tight or too loose instead of just right.

Tj



That's it.  I didn't have the stock screwed in far enough to secure the buffer pin over the ridge.  I got it now.

And to answer the other question that I never got to before, it is a fixed postban stock (that looks like the telescoping M4 kind.)
3/8/2005 12:20:58 PM EDT
[#18]
First I hope you put them in sharp point towards the take down pin slot.  Otherwise, they will be a bitch either direction.  Another common mistake btw.  Even if in right, they will be a tad hard at first till you get some wear on them.  Until the gun wears in, I usually use an eraser on a pencil to push the pins out and a little cloth to cover the pin and protect the lower and something light to pound them in.  This too will get easier with time.  It won't if the indent pins are upside down and flat into the groove.

Tj
3/8/2005 12:23:53 PM EDT
[#19]
btw, I getting ready to do another lower now so is why I'm visiting the forum to get a refresher course.

There's a number of tricks to a number of things and built my first AR off the information on this forum.

Tj
3/9/2005 7:17:10 AM EDT
[#20]
Your second one will go easier; after the first one, it's easier to recognize all the little doodads and where they go.

A hint, for maddog and the rest of you; if you ever assemble your rifle without the buffer/spring, get the carrier stuck in the buffer tube, and cannot take the rifle apart, as happened to maddog, there is an easy way to fix it.  Just use the forward assist to get the carrier back into the upper.

Another hint, while I'm at it; if you assemble the rifle without the firing pin, there is a chance your cam pin may rotate and jam the rifle up pretty badly.  If you do that, you're pretty much SOL.  So don't do it.
3/9/2005 5:44:03 PM EDT
[#21]
My problem was simular.

My buffer tube was too long in the teeth,  it's either barely holding the pin or it's pushing the pin forward.

Break out the dremmel,  Shave away a little of the buffertube and dial in the fit.
3/9/2005 8:32:32 PM EDT
[#22]
did you oil the damn thing??  i didnt know what to oil so i built my gun and tried the functioning before oiling it (not fireing) then i took it all back apart and made a forum post on where to oil it. a guy told me to check out the forums where they list all the manuals for the diffrent makers. and i went there looked up bushy(just because. i actually dont own a bushy) and whammo i lubed her up like my red little rosey , and took her to the gunsmith at williams here in davidson, and blammo he said i was a1. when i told him it was my first build he said he was surprised, because i didnt such a nice job and didnt scratch it up or anything, and i have only arfcom to thank =)
3/10/2005 6:08:23 AM EDT
[#23]

Also, what's a good trick when trying to push them out? Push hard with a tool or what? Thanks again!



Use the tip of a bullet.
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