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5/22/2012 12:38:05 AM EDT
I have a 16" M4-style AR15 carbine. I have difficulty chambering the first round using the charging handle. It almost always stops half-way and "jams up". Using the bolt-catch gives mixed results, but I didn't run into any problems while firing the carbine.



I'm not sure how many rounds I've put through that buffer spring, but the carbine is turning over 5500 rounds. If I ride the charging handle on purpose, it may not return to home all the time.



Any ideas? Weak buffer spring? Is there a go-fast/durable replacement spring available on the market?


 
5/22/2012 3:11:51 AM EDT
[#1]
The TM has spring lengths for rejection. Outside of any signs of obvious signs of "dragging" you could replace the spring.
5/23/2012 12:29:00 AM EDT
[#2]
Thanks. I checked the TM and it looks like my spring is close to the 10 1/16" min length. However, I think I am using a Brownells Chrome Silicon spring, and I have a new one in the wrapper which measures the same length. I have another one that Superior sent me and it was much closer to the maximum length.
 
5/23/2012 6:22:09 AM EDT
[#3]
Quoted:
I have a 16" M4-style AR15 carbine. I have difficulty chambering the first round using the charging handle. It almost always stops half-way and "jams up". Using the bolt-catch gives mixed results, but I didn't run into any problems while firing the carbine.

I'm not sure how many rounds I've put through that buffer spring, but the carbine is turning over 5500 rounds. If I ride the charging handle on purpose, it may not return to home all the time.

Any ideas? Weak buffer spring? Is there a go-fast/durable replacement spring available on the market?
 


Don ride the charging handle?
5/23/2012 7:22:52 AM EDT
[#4]
If you have any tapco collapsible stocks that came with 2 springs throw both of them in the trash.
5/23/2012 8:29:34 AM EDT
[#5]
I'm using an Armalite Mil-spec buffer tube that came with the Armalite M4 stock, so it's not a Tapco (I bought it direct from Armalite). The buffer is a 9mm RRA buffer, and the spring looks to be a Brownells Chrome Silicon spring.



As for the comment about riding the charging handle, with the new spring that I put in, the carrier/bolt will go home on its own if I ride the CH. The problem at the range was that even if I didn't ride the CH at all, it wouldn't chamber a cartridge and would get stuck half-way. I'd have to use the forward assist for the first round to be chambered.

5/23/2012 8:40:57 AM EDT
[#6]
never ride charging handle. try different mags.  Are you using decent ammo?  Lube? What kind of carbine?
5/23/2012 9:50:48 AM EDT
[#7]
Sounds like you found the problem, weak spring.
5/23/2012 10:49:36 AM EDT
[#8]
Thanks, I'll try again at the range to see if the new spring did the trick.



I did rule out the magazines because they work fine in my SCAR 16S.

5/23/2012 10:56:26 AM EDT
[#9]
is your charging handle bent?
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