collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Sticky AR bolt....  (Read 4900 times)

Offline lokidog

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 15186
  • Location: Sultan/Wisconsin
Sticky AR bolt....
« on: March 28, 2020, 10:55:36 AM »
Not saying that I own an AR, but, for a friend....

Any suggestions on what to check for with a sticky bolt? My "friend" has a newer, slightly used upper, 50-100 rounds through it, that won't close all of the way. The bolt was tried in an upper that functions fine and stuck about 1/4 inch short of closing every time it was cycled.

It was cleaned after shooting the last time.

TIA

Offline Dan-o

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+24)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 16716
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2020, 11:15:26 AM »
This also happened to a "friend" I know.   
Exact same symptoms.

When I.....    I mean when my friend finally throughly disassembled it, I found a small piece of brass jammed toward the front of the bolt.

I would thoroughly disassemble your friends AR.       
Member:   Yakstrakgutp (or whatever we are)
I love the BFRO!!!
I wonder how many people will touch their nose to their screen trying to read this...

Offline jasnt

  • ELR junkie
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2010
  • Posts: 6445
  • Location: deer park
  • Out shooting
  • Groups: WSTA
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2020, 12:04:09 PM »
I’d pull the bolt and inspect lugs and pin groove that allows the lugs to lock. Also check the gas piston thingy can’t think of the proper term.  Make sure those screws are tight. Make sure the lugs turn smoothly as they cycle back
https://www.howlforwildlife.org/take_action  It takes 10 seconds and it’s free. To easy to make an excuse not to make your voice heard!!!!!!

The commission shall attempt to maximize the public recreational game fishing and hunting opportunities of all citizens, including juvenile, disabled, and senior citizens.
https://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.04.012

Offline fishngamereaper

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 7989
  • Location: kitsap
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2020, 12:30:09 PM »
Cleaned as in sprayed and wiped down or complete disassembly of BCG, bolt, etc... sounds like the bolt won't rotate and lock into the lugs.

Empty chamber or loaded?

Offline fishngamereaper

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 7989
  • Location: kitsap
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2020, 12:36:52 PM »
Also can you send it home with forward assist or does it stop...

Offline Alchase

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 19873
  • Location: Tinker AFB, OK
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2020, 12:37:27 PM »
This also happened to a "friend" I know.   
Exact same symptoms.

When I.....    I mean when my friend finally throughly disassembled it, I found a small piece of brass jammed toward the front of the bolt.

I would thoroughly disassemble your friends AR.       

That or a primer
Only 2 defining forces sacrificed themselves for you:
The American Soldier and Jesus Christ. One died for your freedom, the other for your soul.

My rock,
He trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.
Psalm 144.1

Offline Jingles

  • WA State Trappers Association
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 3868
  • Location: Methow Valley 98862
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #6 on: March 28, 2020, 01:34:57 PM »
Experienced a similar problem recommend disassembling the BCG and thoroughly cleaning  possibly something keeping it from completely seating.
HMC/USN/RET
1969 -1990
The comments of this poster do not reflect the opinions of HUNTWA Administrators or Moderators unless they so state.

The duty of a Patriot is to protect his country from it's government

Offline TooTallMike

  • Trade Count: (+13)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Oct 2019
  • Posts: 392
  • Location: JBLM
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #7 on: March 28, 2020, 01:40:10 PM »
Check your gas key and make sure it's not loose or marred up causing the carrier to hit the gas tube.

Then look at the cam pin. Had a similar issue once and it was a defect from the factory. Swapped it out and worked fine.

Finally check your lugs and disassemble as everyone else said.

Hope you get your "friends" gun up and running.

Offline jasnt

  • ELR junkie
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2010
  • Posts: 6445
  • Location: deer park
  • Out shooting
  • Groups: WSTA
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #8 on: March 28, 2020, 04:12:03 PM »
Check your gas key and make sure it's not loose or marred up causing the carrier to hit the gas tube.

Then look at the cam pin. Had a similar issue once and it was a defect from the factory. Swapped it out and worked fine.

Finally check your lugs and disassemble as everyone else said.

Hope you get your "friends" gun up and running.
and there are the terms I was fishing for ealier
https://www.howlforwildlife.org/take_action  It takes 10 seconds and it’s free. To easy to make an excuse not to make your voice heard!!!!!!

The commission shall attempt to maximize the public recreational game fishing and hunting opportunities of all citizens, including juvenile, disabled, and senior citizens.
https://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.04.012

Offline lokidog

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 15186
  • Location: Sultan/Wisconsin
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #9 on: March 28, 2020, 05:23:28 PM »
It worked the last time I shot it. I did not disassemble the bolt for cleaning.

There are no marks or mars except maybe a little rub on the rear left corner of the bolt cam pin.

It will close using the forward assist.

When moving the bolt assembly into the carrier, there is some resistance as the bolt cam rotates back.

All screws seem tight.

I put this, I mean my friend put this bolt in another upper and it actually stuck shut.

I'd post photos but I moved locations and did not take his bolt with me. I might have access to it after Tuesday.  ;)

Thanks everyone for the input.

Offline JimmyHoffa

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 14351
  • Location: 150 Years Too Late
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #10 on: March 28, 2020, 06:02:26 PM »
I'll also add cleaning the BCG.  I've had a few instances of the sticky bolt, especially when it is still cold.  Spraying WD40 didn't loosen it or trying to cycle by hand.  Had to clean all that carbon off in the bolt.

Offline fishngamereaper

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 7989
  • Location: kitsap
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #11 on: March 28, 2020, 06:40:41 PM »
Strip it down and clean it good. Problem solved.

Some powders will actually mix with some cleaners and a chemical reaction creates a solid..I've dug some nasty stuff out of BCGs.

Offline lokidog

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 15186
  • Location: Sultan/Wisconsin
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #12 on: March 28, 2020, 06:48:58 PM »
Strip it down and clean it good. Problem solved.

Some powders will actually mix with some cleaners and a chemical reaction creates a solid..I've dug some nasty stuff out of BCGs.

Wish I had taken a photo, it is pretty darn clean.

Offline Dan-o

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+24)
  • Explorer
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 16716
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #13 on: March 28, 2020, 06:56:11 PM »
Strip it down and clean it good. Problem solved.

Some powders will actually mix with some cleaners and a chemical reaction creates a solid..I've dug some nasty stuff out of BCGs.

Wish I had taken a photo, it is pretty darn clean.

Good to know your friend cleaned it well.

I'd still take the BCG down to parts and clean it.

That has also been a cause for my friends' AR sticking in the past.
Member:   Yakstrakgutp (or whatever we are)
I love the BFRO!!!
I wonder how many people will touch their nose to their screen trying to read this...

Offline lokidog

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 15186
  • Location: Sultan/Wisconsin
Re: Sticky AR bolt....
« Reply #14 on: March 28, 2020, 07:17:56 PM »
He might try buffing the bolt cam a bit.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Walked a cougar down by Rainier10
[Today at 11:17:49 AM]


Springer Fishing Opportunity 3/29 & 3/30 by xXLojackXx
[Today at 10:13:39 AM]


Bearpaw Season - Spring 2024 by Machias
[Today at 09:19:44 AM]


SB 5444 signed by Inslee on 03/26 Takes Effect on 06/06/24 by hughjorgan
[Today at 09:03:26 AM]


Springer 2024 Columbia River by WSU
[Today at 08:31:10 AM]


Average by lhrbull
[Today at 07:31:56 AM]


Let’s see your best Washington buck by Pathfinder101
[Today at 07:22:11 AM]


CVA optima V2 LR tapped hole for front sight by Remdawg
[Today at 07:09:22 AM]


Which 12” boat trailer tires? by timberhunter
[Yesterday at 08:22:18 PM]


Lowest power 22 round? by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 08:06:13 PM]


1x scopes vs open sights by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 07:29:35 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal