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Posted: 3/10/2004 4:18:01 PM EDT
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I have a Bushmaster AR-15-A3 that is experiencing an ammunition feed problem. I am using Wolf .223 rem at 62g. with Colt 30 round mags or a Bushmaster 10 round mag. I recently did a light cleaning without disassembling the bolt. After reassembling the rifle, 2 problems have occurred. After inserting a full clip and pulling on the charging handle, the 1st round gets stuck at an angle, 1/2 in and 1/2 out of the clip. Also, the bolt catch appears "dead", loose and just laying against the upper. I don't recall the bolt catch being loose before(I only use the rifle only every 6 months or so). The rifle passes all the function checks with an empty mag and the problems occur with any full mag. I must have reassembled the rifle incorrectly, but I cannot determine where the error is-the bolt & bolt carrier only go together one way. Help |
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Quoted: I have a Bushmaster AR-15-A3 that is experiencing an ammunition feed problem. I am using Wolf .223 rem at 62g. with Colt 30 round mags or a Bushmaster 10 round mag. I recently did a light cleaning without disassembling the bolt. After reassembling the rifle, 2 problems have occurred. After inserting a full [S]clip[/S] Mag and pulling on the charging handle, the 1st round gets stuck at an angle, 1/2 in and 1/2 out of the [S]clip[/S] Mag. Also, the bolt catch appears "dead", loose and just laying against the upper. I don't recall the bolt catch being loose before(I only use the rifle only every 6 months or so). The rifle passes all the function checks with an empty mag and the problems occur with any full mag. I must have reassembled the rifle incorrectly, but I cannot determine where the error is-the bolt & bolt carrier only go together one way. Help The bolt release is held down by a tension spring, and only raises when the tension of the empty mag follower on the bolt catch tab overcomes the spring tension that holds it down. Unless you pulled the bolt catch, or the tension spring is broken, it sounds like the catch is OK. On the Mags, and Wolff ammo, Chances are that both mags have sharp edges on the feed lips, and this is what is binding up the round (lacquered cases). Use a stone and remove the sharp edges on the bottom/bearing surfaces of the feed lips. Also, it helps to stone the front bearing lip of the mag where the mag cams the bullet up when loading. Notes though, if you are only breaking the rifle out once or twice a year, remember to re-lube the rifle before you shoot it (including pulling the buffer and lubing it and the spring). CLP tends to jell up over time, and a fresh coat will bring the rifle back to life. Also, don’t put the rifle away without fully cleaning it when you shoot Wolf ammo. It burns really dirty, and if the fouling is left too long, you will need a belt sander to get the fouling off/out of the rifle. Since it appears that the rifle is only having first round hand feeding problem, and not on the following rounds, looks like the chamber is broken in (no mention of jamming after the first hand feed round). Note: Bushmaster isn't really happy in regards to using Wolf ammo in their rifles, So don't get alarmed if someone posts in regards to just that. If you contine to have problems with the Wolf ammo, then switch over to brass case ammo and see if it solves the problem. |
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I also had problems with Wolf Ammo feeding in my Bushmaster rifle and carbine. Problem I had was that the lip on the ammo case where it is crimped on the prjectile is raised on wolf ammo. This would hang up on the barrel lugs before it would chamber. Did it on every round. Tried removing the sharp edges on the feed lips and front of the magazine just like Dano523 explained. Still would jam on every round. I would not make any modifications on the rifle, to ge the ammo to run!!!! Believe it or not, the Wolf Ammo feeds flawlessly in my Mini14. So I was able o use up what I had bought. Go figure! Use Salt Lake City XM193 ammo, or Q3131A, and USGI magazines, and my bushys feed flawlessly. Hope you get the problem solved. Good luck with it!! |
| I had a similar problem in my Dissy... the Wolf ammo would frequently nose-dive half-way out of the mag. Switched to XM193 and the problem was totally eliminated (140rnds as fast as I could shoot, no malfs). Try a different brand of ammo before doing anything to your rifle. |
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After inserting a full clip and pulling on the charging handle, the 1st round gets stuck at an angle, 1/2 in and 1/2 out of the clip. Also, the bolt catch appears "dead", loose and just laying against the upper. I don't recall the bolt catch being loose before(I only use the rifle only every 6 months or so). The rifle passes all the function checks with an empty mag and the problems occur with any full mag. This is pretty much word for word the EXACT description of what happens with my Bushy...an XM15-E2S-M4 type. Difference being I've never shot anything out of it aside fom 55gr Lake City XM193s, and I usually shot at least once a month. It's done this with the 2 10rd Bushy mags and the 5 20rd USGI mags I have. 95% of the time it happens on the first round, and about 5% of the time it happens during fire. Usually doesn't happen until about 150-200 rounds fired, and I've even tried lubing it right before shooting. I still love to shoot her, and think she's a great gun, but I'm getting real frustrated with not being able to figure out just what the cause is and what I can do to fix it... |
| I've subsequently discovered since I posted my original issue that the 1st round will always do that on my rifle if I'm pulling the charging handle back with the selector off safety. I've since always tried it with the selector on safety and the characteristic appears to be 99% resolved. It's only happened once since. I know I qualify as the world's dumbest AR owner because frankly, I believe that's how the rilfe is supposed to work-they don't want you chambering a round off safety. Anyway, maybe that helps you. |
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