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Posted: 10/17/2011 8:35:11 PM EDT
| AR15 bolt stuck in feed ramps. Looks like the "ears" on the bolt are turned slightly locking it in place. How do I unlock the stuck bolt? Thank for any help on this issue. |
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Provided you installed the bolt cam pin correctly, the bolt unlocks by pulling to the rear on the charging handle, causing the cam pin to rotate against the curved slot in the bolt carrier and unlock the bolt.
If the cam pin is installed, and things aren't unlocking, you have a broken or out of spec cam pin, or a broken or out of spec bolt, or broken or out of spec bolt carrier, or a misaligned barrel extension. To get unlocked, you'll need to get that bolt turned the last little bit, so things can be taken apart and inspected. If just vigorously pulling on the charging handle doesn't work, then try a stuck case clearance move. While pulling back on the charging handle, and (always) keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, strike the buttstock firmly on the ground or a firm tabletop to aid in pulling back on the bolt carrier and getting that bolt unlocked. If that doesn't work, you're gonna need to take it to a smith. |
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Quoted: Provided you installed the bolt cam pin correctly, the bolt unlocks by pulling to the rear on the charging handle, causing the cam pin to rotate against the curved slot in the bolt carrier and unlock the bolt. If the cam pin is installed, and things aren't unlocking, you have a broken or out of spec cam pin, or a broken or out of spec bolt, or broken or out of spec bolt carrier, or a misaligned barrel extension. To get unlocked, you'll need to get that bolt turned the last little bit, so things can be taken apart and inspected. If just vigorously pulling on the charging handle doesn't work, then try a stuck case clearance move. While pulling back on the charging handle, and (always) keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, strike the buttstock firmly on the ground or a firm tabletop to aid in pulling back on the bolt carrier and getting that bolt unlocked. If that doesn't work, you're gonna need to take it to a smith. I had this same thing happen once and this was the culprit. Quick question OP, did it bind up going in or coming out? Do like Circuits says and mortar the rifle to dislodge it (hopefully), but then a full inspection of the rifle and BCG are in order.  |
| ***Update*** while safely pointing barrel up, I struck the stock on a soft surface and the bolt seated forward. I could then pull the charging handle and lock the bolt open. I have now taken apart the upper and removed the charging handle and BCG. I do not see any "Obvious" damage. What should I be looking at now? Thank you for help! |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Provided you installed the bolt cam pin correctly, the bolt unlocks by pulling to the rear on the charging handle, causing the cam pin to rotate against the curved slot in the bolt carrier and unlock the bolt. If the cam pin is installed, and things aren't unlocking, you have a broken or out of spec cam pin, or a broken or out of spec bolt, or broken or out of spec bolt carrier, or a misaligned barrel extension. To get unlocked, you'll need to get that bolt turned the last little bit, so things can be taken apart and inspected. If just vigorously pulling on the charging handle doesn't work, then try a stuck case clearance move. While pulling back on the charging handle, and (always) keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, strike the buttstock firmly on the ground or a firm tabletop to aid in pulling back on the bolt carrier and getting that bolt unlocked. If that doesn't work, you're gonna need to take it to a smith. I had this same thing happen once and this was the culprit. Quick question OP, did it bind up going in or coming out? Do like Circuits says and mortar the rifle to dislodge it (hopefully), but then a full inspection of the rifle and BCG are in order.
Me too. Extension was slightly misaligned Strange thing was that the gun would cycle just fine and the bolt would never hang up upon ejection. Hand cycling rounds or trying to manually clear the weapon would cause a hangup. A trip back to the manufacturer and I got a new barrel and everything was GTG. |
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Quoted: ***Update*** while safely pointing barrel up, I struck the stock on a soft surface and the bolt seated forward. I could then pull the charging handle and lock the bolt open. I have now taken apart the upper and removed the charging handle and BCG. I do not see any "Obvious" damage. What should I be looking at now? Thank you for help! I would first make sure the carrier and gas key aren't binding by removing the bolt from the carrier and then slide the carrier back into the upper to make sure the carrier or the gas key aren't binding. You should also check and see if your feedramps are centered in the upper. Or you could just post some pictures of everything, somebody will probably spot the problem for ya. |
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Quoted:
***Update*** while safely pointing barrel up, I struck the stock on a soft surface and the bolt seated forward. I could then pull the charging handle and lock the bolt open. I have now taken apart the upper and removed the charging handle and BCG. I do not see any "Obvious" damage. What should I be looking at now? Thank you for help! If I'm understanding you correctly, the bolt wasn't seated all the way forward before? Sounds to me like it's just a new rifle and you were being hesitant and gentle with it... Were you gently easing the bolt forward or something? Don't do that. And don't "ride" the charging handle - pull it back and let go completely so it flies back home at speed. It's a rifle. Slam that bolt/carrier home soundly. Work it. Break it in. Sit in front of the TV set, lube the bolt carrier group and cycle it a few hundred times by hand, or go to the range and put a few hundred rounds through it. |
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Quoted: Quoted: ***Update*** while safely pointing barrel up, I struck the stock on a soft surface and the bolt seated forward. I could then pull the charging handle and lock the bolt open. I have now taken apart the upper and removed the charging handle and BCG. I do not see any "Obvious" damage. What should I be looking at now? Thank you for help! If I'm understanding you correctly, the bolt wasn't seated all the way forward before? Sounds to me like it's just a new rifle and you were being hesitant and gentle with it... Were you gently easing the bolt forward or something? Don't do that. And don't "ride" the charging handle - pull it back and let go completely so it flies back home at speed. It's a rifle. Slam that bolt/carrier home soundly. Work it. Break it in. Sit in front of the TV set, lube the bolt carrier group and cycle it a few hundred times by hand, or go to the range and put a few hundred rounds through it. Good point, I thought he meant it was stuck closed. |
| Not a new rifle. Old Bushmaster. Rifle was fired and then made safe, The bolt was dropped forward and it did not seat all the way. Forward assist did not help. Pulled back on charging handle and it was "locked" in place. I finally smacked the stock hard and the bolt seated correctly and I could open the bolt. Upon inspection of BCG I do not see anything that points to the stuck bolt. Gas rings are good and not lined up. The cam pin was in place. The bolt "Ears" look ok, not damaged. . Firing pin looks straight and correct. The barrel and feed ramps look lined up straight. |
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Quoted:
Not a new rifle. Old Bushmaster. Rifle was fired and then made safe, The bolt was dropped forward and it did not seat all the way. Forward assist did not help. Pulled back on charging handle and it was "locked" in place. I finally smacked the stock hard and the bolt seated correctly and I could open the bolt. Upon inspection of BCG I do not see anything that points to the stuck bolt. Gas rings are good and not lined up. The cam pin was in place. The bolt "Ears" look ok, not damaged. . Firing pin looks straight and correct. The barrel and feed ramps look lined up straight. Hmm, thanks for the further information. That's not one I've run into before. I'd inspect the cam pin, the cam pin channel in the upper, and the cam pin channel in the bolt carrier for any undue wear, in a well-used rifle. Wear to the cam pin or cam pin channels might let it turn a little bit, but catch short or not easily reverse direction. |
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