AR-15 Issues, suggestions welcome

[bdwarr6]

Originally Posted by Steve MI

the part about the gas rings to be staggered is pure bs old wives tail there is no need for it and it often can run with only one good ring.. being a dpms gun it could be several things first off. it could be bad rings, it could need a new extractor or extractor upgrade kit of a black insert and 5 coil spring instead of blue 4 coil which it may have....

Paul had suggested just buying a new non dpms bolt carrier group, I have no problem doing this for reliability.

[TheGhostRider]

Originally Posted by bdwarr6

Paul had suggested just buying a new non dpms bolt carrier group, I have no problem doing this for reliability.

Your friend Pauls idea is a good one... Except I would go for a Bravo Company, Colt, LMT or something on that level. When it comes to AR reliability the bolt is the heart of the machine.

But for the time being... lets try some things to fix the current bolt.
Grab a pipe cleaner (the kind the pipe smokers use) or a q-tip or even a paper clip. Remove your BCG from your upper assembly. Disassemble your BCG and lay each piece out on a clean paper towel.
Take your bolt carrier assembly and use the pipe cleaner/q-tip/paper clip which ever you have available and insert it in the hole in the end of the gas key. This is to make sure that you don't have any obstructions in the gas key blocking gas to the bolt. While this is a rare occurrence it does happen. The other thing you need to establish that the bolt carrier gas port was drilled prior to installation of the key.... yes I've actually seen this before.
Next, it's time to check the gas rings. When the bolt is inserted in the carrier there should be a "decent" amount of friction when sliding the bolt back and forth in the carrier. If the bolt slides freely in the carrier with little or no friction you should replace the rings. A simple test is to insert the bolt into the carrier but do not install the cam pin. Once you've inserted the bolt into the carrier, take the carrier and hold it vertically with the bolt down (breech face toward the floor) and try to shake the bolt out of the carrier. Don't go mid evil on it but give it a good shake like a salt shaker. If the bolt falls out easily then replace the rings. If it stays in then then move on to the next step.
Checking the screws in the gas key. I know... they're staked... right? Don't trust the stakes. Grab a hex key and lay some tight on them! IF, they appear to be tight then its time to remove them and take a closer look at the gas key itself. This is where you have to be very observant. Remove the bolts holding on the gas key, BUT, while your doing this check the bolt carrier under the gas key and the bottom of the gas key for "blow by"...
If the gas key is leaking there should be carbine tracks between the gas key and carrier. If the key is leaking you simply resurface the key on a whetstone to true it up, degrease the carrier and key, use a little RED locktight between the key and the carrier, reinstall the bolts... tight... and re-stake.
It sounds like a lot of work but I assure you it's not hard.

Good luck and let us know how things turn out! Remember one thing, your friends BCG worked in your rifle.... this is a good thing so the rest is easy.

[bdwarr6]

Originally Posted by TheGhostRider

Your friend Pauls idea is a good one... Except I would go for a Bravo Company, Colt, LMT or something on that level. When it comes to AR reliability the bolt is the heart of the machine.

But for the time being... lets try some things to fix the current bolt.
Grab a pipe cleaner (the kind the pipe smokers use) or a q-tip or even a paper clip. Remove your BCG from your upper assembly. Disassemble your BCG and lay each piece out on a clean paper towel.
Take your bolt carrier assembly and use the pipe cleaner/q-tip/paper clip which ever you have available and insert it in the hole in the end of the gas key. This is to make sure that you don't have any obstructions in the gas key blocking gas to the bolt. While this is a rare occurrence it does happen. The other thing you need to establish that the bolt carrier gas port was drilled prior to installation of the key.... yes I've actually seen this before.
Next, it's time to check the gas rings. When the bolt is inserted in the carrier there should be a "decent" amount of friction when sliding the bolt back and forth in the carrier. If the bolt slides freely in the carrier with little or no friction you should replace the rings. A simple test is to insert the bolt into the carrier but do not install the cam pin. Once you've inserted the bolt into the carrier, take the carrier and hold it vertically with the bolt down (breech face toward the floor) and try to shake the bolt out of the carrier. Don't go mid evil on it but give it a good shake like a salt shaker. If the bolt falls out easily then replace the rings. If it stays in then then move on to the next step.
Checking the screws in the gas key. I know... they're staked... right? Don't trust the stakes. Grab a hex key and lay some tight on them! IF, they appear to be tight then its time to remove them and take a closer look at the gas key itself. This is where you have to be very observant. Remove the bolt holding on the gas key, BUT, while your doing this check the bolt carrier under the gas key and the bottom of the gas key for "blow by"...
If the gas key is leaking there should be carbine tracks between the gas key and carrier. If the key is leaking you simply resurface the key on a whetstone to true it up, degrease the carrier and key, use a little RED locktight between the key and the carrier, reinstall the bolts... tight... and re-stake.
It sounds like a lot of work but I assure you it's not hard.

Good luck and let us know how things turn out! Remember one thing, your friends BCG worked in your rifle.... this is a good thing so the rest is easy.

Not your first rodeo, thanks for some very helpful information. I will try this and get back to you guys

[in812]

spray some cleaner in the gas key where the gas tube goes in make sure it sprays through the the hole at the back of where the bolt goes (center of carrier )

pressure has to go through the gas tube through the key through a hole in the bolt carrier to put pressure on the bolt to make it function

I'm thinking either the holes don't line up or one didn't get drilled or is plugged up

[bdwarr6]

Originally Posted by in812

spray some cleaner in the gas key where the gas tube goes in make sure it sprays through the the hole at the back of where the bolt goes (center of carrier )

pressure has to go through the gas tube through the key through a hole in the bolt carrier to put pressure on the bolt to make it function

I'm thinking either the holes don't line up or one didn't get drilled or is plugged up

I did put about 300-350 rounds through this bolt carrier before this problem started so I know they line up and are there, something I did while cleaning it and reassembling it is what went fubar.

[in812]

does it flow through now ? a pc of metal,carbon,cleaning patch,etc. could have plugged it up

[bdwarr6]

Originally Posted by in812

does it flow through now ? a pc of metal,carbon,cleaning patch,etc. could have plugged it up

I don't know honestly I checked it and dropped some gun oil down in it then blew into the hole and I believe some of it made it out the other side what would be the best way to be sure its not clogged when i do blow into it I can feel the air coming out the sides of the carrier though.

[in812]

does it come out in the center where the bolt goes or around the gas key where it's mounted to the carrier

spray some cleaner in the gas key where the gas tube goes in make sure it sprays through the the hole at the back of where the bolt goes (center of carrier )

[IN_Varmntr]

N/m I'm an idiot.

[TheGhostRider]

Just checking back with you, what's the status on your rifle?