I think I know what it is, but I'm not able to test the hypothesis until after the first of the year...
OK. I assembled an AR a few weeks ago, and finally got to test fire it today. Here are the particulars of the rifle:
Used M16A1 upper from Ohio Ordnance Works (outside looks like heck, but the innards look good)
Bravo Company complete BCG
RRA stripped lower
Armalite LRPK
RRA receiver extension/buffer tube
Cav Arms C1 stock
RRA A2 buttplate
Milspec rifle buffer and buffer spring from Bravo Company
OK. So, I went out and sighted the rifle in, using an old 20-round magazine for shooting off the bench. I loaded 3-5 rounds for each shot string, and I had it sighted in PDQ. Looks like the previous user had it dead nuts on for windage, and only slightly off for elevation. The gun was accurate and reliable throughout sight-in.
After getting it sighted in, I loaded up a 30-round magazine with 30 rounds, slapped the bolt release, and prepared to have some fun. I pulled the trigger and...
no workie.
Hrm. I flip the rifle on its side and note that the bolt has not gone into battery. It has stopped about 3/4" short of lockup. I clear the rifle, reload the magazine, and try it again. Same deal.
I try a few more times, with that mag and different mags (all known good), and each time the bolt would not go home. I back off the rounds in the magazine, and it turns out that the gun will function fine with a magazine under one-third load (less than 10 rounds).
What's the diagnosis?
Here's my guess:
I ordered rifle and carbine buffer springs from Bravo Company. They came unmarked. I think I may have goofed up and fitted a rifle buffer with a carbine spring. Alas, I JUST headed away on vacation, so I can't just swap out the spring easily to see, unless I can find a known-good rifle buffer spring somewhere nearby (or, unless I order another one, which just seems silly).
Questions:
1. Would that mistake cause the malfunction?
2. How do you tell the two springs apart? I thought the longer spring would be the rifle spring, but I may have been wrong.
Thanks,
Mike
OK. I assembled an AR a few weeks ago, and finally got to test fire it today. Here are the particulars of the rifle:
Used M16A1 upper from Ohio Ordnance Works (outside looks like heck, but the innards look good)
Bravo Company complete BCG
RRA stripped lower
Armalite LRPK
RRA receiver extension/buffer tube
Cav Arms C1 stock
RRA A2 buttplate
Milspec rifle buffer and buffer spring from Bravo Company
OK. So, I went out and sighted the rifle in, using an old 20-round magazine for shooting off the bench. I loaded 3-5 rounds for each shot string, and I had it sighted in PDQ. Looks like the previous user had it dead nuts on for windage, and only slightly off for elevation. The gun was accurate and reliable throughout sight-in.
After getting it sighted in, I loaded up a 30-round magazine with 30 rounds, slapped the bolt release, and prepared to have some fun. I pulled the trigger and...
no workie.
Hrm. I flip the rifle on its side and note that the bolt has not gone into battery. It has stopped about 3/4" short of lockup. I clear the rifle, reload the magazine, and try it again. Same deal.
I try a few more times, with that mag and different mags (all known good), and each time the bolt would not go home. I back off the rounds in the magazine, and it turns out that the gun will function fine with a magazine under one-third load (less than 10 rounds).
What's the diagnosis?
Here's my guess:
I ordered rifle and carbine buffer springs from Bravo Company. They came unmarked. I think I may have goofed up and fitted a rifle buffer with a carbine spring. Alas, I JUST headed away on vacation, so I can't just swap out the spring easily to see, unless I can find a known-good rifle buffer spring somewhere nearby (or, unless I order another one, which just seems silly).
Questions:
1. Would that mistake cause the malfunction?
2. How do you tell the two springs apart? I thought the longer spring would be the rifle spring, but I may have been wrong.
Thanks,
Mike
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