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Posted: 5/1/2016 7:19:06 PM EDT
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Hello all. I'm in need of some help. I am building my own AR. This is my first build. However, I'm not a total noob.
I have an 18" Criterion Barrel (Wylde chamber) that I am installing. My upper receiver is AeroPrecision. My handguard & Barrel Nut are Leapers UTG Pro Super Slim (15"). My BCG is AIM Surplus 223/5.56 black nitride. All parts are premium Mil-Spec or match grade materials. I installed my barrel watching multiple vids (Midway USA & others). I torqued my barrel/barrel nut down to 45 ft/lbs using my torque wrench - comfortably within the given specifications. I have all 3 headspace gauges -- Go, No-Go, & Field (Forster Products). I followed multiple videos on how to properly check my headspace (see vid below). I removed the extractor, along w/ the ejector pin from my bolt. Then replaced the bolt and tested the headspace accordingly. The BCG is properly flush & seated when the Go gauge is used. The problem is that my BCG is also completely flush and seated when both the No-Go and Field gauges are placed in as well. I don't know where I went wrong. I've followed the videos/instructions carefully. It seems that w/ my parts, I shouldn't be experiencing this. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWTpPMYW-CA |
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If the bolt closes on the NO-GO or FIELD gauges, then you've got excess headspace. Possibly it's not even the correct chamber or bolt.
You might try fitting a round or two by hand to see if they're swallowed up in an obviously wrong chamber, and make sure they fit your bolt face, but presuming it properly chambers the rounds, then your only choice is to try other bolts to get a proper fit, and/or send it back. |
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If the bolt closes on the NO-GO or FIELD gauges, then you've got excess headspace. Possibly it's not even the correct chamber or bolt. You might try fitting a round or two by hand to see if they're swallowed up in an obviously wrong chamber, and make sure they fit your bolt face, but presuming it properly chambers the rounds, then your only choice is to try other bolts to get a proper fit, and/or send it back. Hey Circuits. Thanks 4 the response. Agreed - The fact that the BCG & bolt w/o extractor & ejection pin are closing while the No-Go & Field gauges are in the barrel indicates excessive headspace. However, I have another working/functioning AR that I have had for years. I put all 3 gauges in and used the same Bolt/BCG and it was still able to close on the NO-GO & Field gauges.... So....apparently it is either my new AIM Surplus 223/5.56 BCG & bolt....or perhaps the headspacing gauges themselves. I am removing the extractor & ejection pin on the older functioning Bolt & BCG as I type (I think it was PSA). Trying to eliminate that from the equation. Will keep you posted. I appreciate any feedback |
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I can forgive closing on a NO-GO for a used rifle, though it's pretty suspect for a new rifle.
Closing on a Field gauge would cause me to red-tag the older rifle for barrel replacement, too. You must not reload - but if you have any of your brass from the other rifle check it for stretching or flow. I personally don't bother with any gauge other than the military M16 Field gauge. All my rifles run milspec barrels, so I figure if it chambers a round it passes GO, and if it doesn't close on the Field gauge, it's still serviceable. Anyhow, closing on a Field gauge is an absolute no-no for a new barrel/bolt combo, and even closing on an (appropriate-spec) NO-GO indicates some dimensional issues in a new barrel/bolt como. |
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Yeah, if you're able to close on a field gage something is off. I would definitely check with the other bolt that you have. If that closes with the field in both barrels then maybe you got sent the wrong gages? 222 rem or something? Thanks again 4 the responses everyone. It appears that the new AIM Surplus bolt is the problem here. I tried the older PSA bolt & BCG and everything worked as it should. Completely flush w/ the Go gauge in. Protruding slightly w/ the NO-GO and Field gauges in. I even removed the AIM Surplus bolt from the AIM BCG and put the older PSA bolt in the AIM BCG and it worked properly as well. I suppose my next task is to get the bolt replaced. |
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You did put the bolt back in the carrier with the cam pin, firing pin, and firing pin retainer before testing? To me the video was not clear that the BCG was completely put back together before checking headspace. The vid is a little unclear. But all that is needed to properly test the gauges is to reassemble the BCG w/ the cam pin and Bolt w/ the extractor and ejector removed. The firing pin and firing pin retainer are not needed to test the gauges. |
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It appears that the new AIM Surplus bolt is the problem here. I tried the older PSA bolt & BCG and everything worked as it should. Completely flush w/ the Go gauge in. Protruding slightly w/ the NO-GO and Field gauges in. I even removed the AIM Surplus bolt from the AIM BCG and put the older PSA bolt in the AIM BCG and it worked properly as well. I suppose my next task is to get the bolt replaced. Yup. |
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The firing pin and retaining pin keep the cam pin from rotating. If it rotates it can get stuck in the cam, pin slot/cutout in the upper. They should be installed not for checking headspace but to keep from having a problem removing the carrier. Interesting. Didn't think of that potential problem. Thanks again everyone for the feedback. |
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Finally finished my build. Was able to replace my bolt and fix my headspacing issue. I was extremely excited to take it to the range and test it. Went to the range w/ a friend today who had an older functioning, tried and true AR. Both are 5.56/223.
I kept having misfeeds and misfires. I only fired about 20-25 rounds. When I slid the magazine into place and released the bolt catch the first round always seats and fires properly. However, usually on the 2nd or 3rd round, the misfire would happen. Most of the time the cartridge wouldn't even get caught by the bolt - the chamber was just empty. A few other times, the bolt got stuck as it cycled b/c the cartridge would get stuck in the chamber at an odd angle. Again it seemed as though the cartridge wasn't being fed & caught by the bolt properly. I switched my bolt into my friend's AR and used my mags and ammo in my friend's AR....and everything worked smoothly. I also used his bolt in my AR and the misfires continued to happen. Not sure where the problem is. This shouldn't be occurring in a build like mine w/ quality, mil-spec parts. Very frustrated. Any help/input would be greatly appreciated. |
| Sounds like you either have a lubrication problem or a gas problem. I always take my new BCG apart and really soak them for the first round of shooting, also double check your gas block to make sure it is aligned correctly with the least amount of leakage as possible. I had one that I had to actually put grease on the mating surface of the gas block and barrel to see that the gas block was not mating correctly. I would coat and after shooting a while the grease would melt out and I started having problems again. |
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Interesting. Didn't think of that potential problem. Thanks again everyone for the feedback. Quoted:
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The firing pin and retaining pin keep the cam pin from rotating. If it rotates it can get stuck in the cam, pin slot/cutout in the upper. They should be installed not for checking headspace but to keep from having a problem removing the carrier. Interesting. Didn't think of that potential problem. Thanks again everyone for the feedback. You only need to do it once to remember it forever. Ask me how I know. 
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Not sure where the problem is. This shouldn't be occurring in a build like mine w/ quality, mil-spec parts.  In fairness, a handguard won't affect the cycling of the firearm, but I still have to laugh at it.
First of all, break it in. Try swapping complete uppers first, instead of components. If the problem stays with your lower, then start looking into other parts of the lower. If it follows the upper, then you start looking in there. Start with big groups, and work your way towards narrowing down the source of the problem progressively. |
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Pardon my laughter as I read this and point at those UTG parts In fairness, a handguard won't affect the cycling of the firearm, but I still have to laugh at it.
First of all, break it in. Try swapping complete uppers first, instead of components. If the problem stays with your lower, then start looking into other parts of the lower. If it follows the upper, then you start looking in there. Start with big groups, and work your way towards narrowing down the source of the problem progressively. Quoted:
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Not sure where the problem is. This shouldn't be occurring in a build like mine w/ quality, mil-spec parts. In fairness, a handguard won't affect the cycling of the firearm, but I still have to laugh at it.
First of all, break it in. Try swapping complete uppers first, instead of components. If the problem stays with your lower, then start looking into other parts of the lower. If it follows the upper, then you start looking in there. Start with big groups, and work your way towards narrowing down the source of the problem progressively. Going to the range again tomorrow. I'm going to swap out the lowers of a few ARs w/ some friends who've got proven/functioning systems. Been going crazy talking to everyone, trying to troubleshoot the problem. I've heard negative reviews about UTG products as well. But, this handguard was well reviewed and I love the design and feel. Obviously, I've just built my rifle, so I haven't put it through the paces....but it has been sturdier and more reliable than my Midwest Industries handguard which gave me some initial problems & had to be replaced (kudos to Midwest Industries customer service, which was great). Apparently the UTG "Pro" line has been well reviewed and is a step up from their other products. It's worth checking out, so far I've been very happy w/ it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cXJ_uVTT3M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qmxhh13Q37I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4knVZ6FrNM I'll post pics of my build soon. |
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Alright. It looks like all that was needed was to break in the rifle. After shooting about 100 rounds the short cycling stopped and the rifle ran smoothly. Put about 150 total rounds down range and was able to zero in my scope as well.
Thank you everyone for the input. Trying to post some pics of the rifle but can't figure out how to attach a photo here.... |
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Thanks again 4 the responses everyone. It appears that the new AIM Surplus bolt is the problem here. I tried the older PSA bolt & BCG and everything worked as it should. Completely flush w/ the Go gauge in. Protruding slightly w/ the NO-GO and Field gauges in. I even removed the AIM Surplus bolt from the AIM BCG and put the older PSA bolt in the AIM BCG and it worked properly as well. I suppose my next task is to get the bolt replaced. Quoted:
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Yeah, if you're able to close on a field gage something is off. I would definitely check with the other bolt that you have. If that closes with the field in both barrels then maybe you got sent the wrong gages? 222 rem or something? Thanks again 4 the responses everyone. It appears that the new AIM Surplus bolt is the problem here. I tried the older PSA bolt & BCG and everything worked as it should. Completely flush w/ the Go gauge in. Protruding slightly w/ the NO-GO and Field gauges in. I even removed the AIM Surplus bolt from the AIM BCG and put the older PSA bolt in the AIM BCG and it worked properly as well. I suppose my next task is to get the bolt replaced. This is the second time I have heard of an AIM BCG causing head space issues in the past 2-3 months. I wonder if they got a bad batch this year circulating around. |
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This is the second time I have heard of an AIM BCG causing head space issues in the past 2-3 months. I wonder if they got a bad batch this year circulating around. Quoted:
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Yeah, if you're able to close on a field gage something is off. I would definitely check with the other bolt that you have. If that closes with the field in both barrels then maybe you got sent the wrong gages? 222 rem or something? Thanks again 4 the responses everyone. It appears that the new AIM Surplus bolt is the problem here. I tried the older PSA bolt & BCG and everything worked as it should. Completely flush w/ the Go gauge in. Protruding slightly w/ the NO-GO and Field gauges in. I even removed the AIM Surplus bolt from the AIM BCG and put the older PSA bolt in the AIM BCG and it worked properly as well. I suppose my next task is to get the bolt replaced. This is the second time I have heard of an AIM BCG causing head space issues in the past 2-3 months. I wonder if they got a bad batch this year circulating around. Interesting. Would be nice to know. I'll let you guys know what they respond to me.... |
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