Knowledge Base

Topics > Troubleshooting the AR15

Troubleshooting the AR15 (45 FAQs)

Top 10 FAQs For This Topic

	A PROSPECTIVE AR-15 OWNER/BUILDER'S PRIMER
	Beware the dangers of CHEAP AMMO!
	The Basic Drill
	What caused my gun to jam?
	In your ammunition advisory Bushmaster, state that Wolf ammunition has been factory tested and is authorized to be fired. I bought 3 boxes of Wolf ammunition, I found that it would fire, but the bolt would only eject the rounds, would not feed the next round (bolt would stop at the magazine half way) some shots the bolt would only eject the spent casing and then the bolt would be found in the closed forward position without feeding the next round. What inexpensive ammunition is recommended in my M-4 ORC? I have tried Monarch brand ammunition and it seems to work well.
	i just bought a Bushmaster AR-15 from a local dealer and it is chamberd for 7.62x39. I was wondering if your FN .308 mags(part # MAT-004) are what i am looking for, because i can't seem to find mags for this gun.
	My Bushmaster Predator is short stroking and has suffered from the lack of gas always. Gun was bought December 2007 and has now fired 2000 rounds. Last range visit went like this (I used Sellier Bellot 55gr FMJ ammo): - I tried loading magazines with 2 rounds each and firing quick double taps. No problems, the bolt locked back after last round. - I fired around 100-150 rounds and every now and then went to patch the targets. The gun worked well. - Again I tried loading magazines with 2 rounds each and firing quick double taps. First with some magazines the bolt didn´t lock back, then bolt didn´t lock back at all and after that came short stroking with every magazine I had. The gun jams because the locking lugs take a cartridges from the magazine when the cartridge is under the locking lugs, so the bolt clearly doesn´t travel far enough. So far what I´ve checked: - Not a magazine problem. I´m using C-Products aluminum and steel mags and 2008 built Magpul PMAGs - Bolt carrier moves ok in the upper receiver and gas tube as aligned with gas key. - Gas rings seem to be in good contidition and move freely. I also tested putting bolt/bolt carrier on the floor with the bolt head downwards. The bolt doesn´t go inside the carrier (idea from G&A Book of AR15 2008). - Gas key is tight. I haven´t found any leaks. - Gas port size seems to be within specification, I measured 2.35mm (0.0925") with digital caliber. - Gas block is in correct position. - Gas tube is not blocked. - Break Free is used to lubricate moving parts Even the retailer and the gunsmith are puzzled with this rifle and they are running out of options. They said that there was another Bushmaster Predator from the same batch which had the same problems as I´m having now but is now working correctly after some minor tweaking (gas port position problem). Please help me with this gun.
	I recently bought an m4 carry handle for my carbon 15 m4 flattop. I shot it at the range to get a BZO and I cannot get it to sight in. At 50yrds with the front sight post all the way up and the rear sight set at 6/3-2. I was still shooting the very top of the target. I was using 55gr remington umc rounds. I am wondering is a 55gr bullet too light? I know how to shoot I am a Marine and shoot all the time on the range for score. so I know it is not me doing something wrong with the sights. hope I gave enough information to give me some insight on the frustrating problem.
	With a loaded clip you pull the charging handle back and the bottom half of the bolt carrier is grabbing the bullets in the clip and angling the bullets up out of the clip, and sometimes they will chamber correctly and the gun will fire, other times the bullet will go into the chamber and bend the bullet and it will not fire and it is jammed in the chamber, or other times it will pop up and get jammed between the charging handle and the bolt carrier. It does this whether manually or if it is cycling through the action as supposed to.
	Beware the "Used Gun" or "Used Parts" market

Recently Added FAQs To This Topic

	I recently purchased a carbon 15. I have put about three hundred rounds through it. Three times the spent cartridge would'nt eject. One time the bolt was locked closed and I had to pull back on the charging handle while slaming the stock to the deck to free the cartridge.Two times a jam was created as the next round was being cycled in. What could be be the possible causes/remedy for this situation.
	5.56 varmint.the bullet scores the feed ramp , only on the left side.mil spec ammo,or handloads,oal of cartrige 2.245 well under the max,2.260. BM 5 rd mag.Even the first rd up is damaged if its a soft point when the bolt is released.The score starts at the top edge of the mag well. thanks for any help.
	I just purchased a new XM15 E2S today and I cannot get the ejection port cover to close. I am a little afraid to force it. Should it close easily? Thanks
	my bushmaster ar has stopped feeding the lower pressured .223 ammo and will only cycle with the higher pressured 5.56 lake city ammo. what can I do do remedy this
	My hammer is not going all the way forward hitting the rounds. I have it stored in the gun case it was purchased with and for some reason. I can not shoot. Plus I noticed a lot of corrosion on my 3 clips? what has happended to my AR-15?
	I have a Bushmaster AR 15 M2 style .223. It seems like the problem started after puting on a skeleton stock, the bolt will not latch open, and when it does, it will close if you breath on it. Sometimes it wont stay open even if you hold the bottom of the latch in. I havent tried it with an empty mag yet, but i am sure it should latch open when you pull the carrier back and press the latch in to hold it open. What can be done to fix this problem?
	I cannot get a full magazine to lock into place with the bolt forward. I bought the rifle new around 2000 to 2002. (not sure exactly what year)I have several different sizes and brands including the 10 round that came with the rifle. All will lock with the bolt forward if empty, but none will lock full. They will however lock if i take one round out. I can't belive that all the clips are defective so could this be a problem with the firearm? Also, does this have anything to do with preban models. Someone I talked to suggested it could. Am I relegated to use 9, 19 and 29 round clips or is there a solution? Thanks for the help. (the rifle has been shot very little and is in like new condition.)
	It is possible to adjust the tension on the XM safety lever? In other words, there is just a little bit of slack in my XM15-E2S lever when in the safe position and it moves about 1/16" when barely touched. Is there a way to put more tension on it? Could the detent not be in the correct position? It's a new gun with 50 rounds fired through. The safety works fine, just has an annoying wiggle. Any suggestions? Could it be that the spiring hole in the grip is deeper than it should be and putting less spring tension on the detent? Just a thought.
	My Bushmaster DCM type xme15 rifle with factory installed, factory adjusted bushmaster target trigger assembly will not shoot lake city mil spec ammo (primers will dent but not fire). This same ammunition works every time in my standard (non target trigger assembly) bushmaster xme15 rifle. What causes this; is mil spec 5.56 ammunition not to be used in the DCM rifles?
	While smy firsthooting my Varminter yesterday, a friend offered me to shoot some of his handloads....and my first round got stuck while bolt was closing...appears to be almost or completely closed. I CAN NOT PULL THE BOLT CARRIER BACK, IT IS STUCK TOO. tHIS IS A LIVE ROUND. I also tried to break the gun apart after pulloing the retaining pin out and it will not separate..the lower from the upper. Obviously this round was not fully resized to sami spec's. Now what do I do?