Good quality AR-15 parts will save you a lot of trouble. If youve ruled out a routine loading issue, but swapping out magazines resolved your malfunction, there are a few things you can look for when you get back to the suspect magazine. Neckbone Armory also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. the back of the bolt carrier can be machined a little differently depending on the manufacturer. The standard mil-spec charging handle can be easily found in most gun stores and online. If you spend enough time around tactical guys, youll find out that the average buffer spring in an AR-15 isnt as strong as you might think. How to Fix, Why Does My Glock Rattle? If there is nothing obviously wrong with the magazine, there are a couple of other problems that are commonly experienced with larger volume magazines. I use either Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, or Optics Planet to buy parts, that way I always know what Im getting and that it will actually show up. A right-handed shooter releases the bolt by pressing with the thumb of the left hand. Obviously this stoppage is a simple one to resolve, other stoppages may be more complicated and have mechanical roots. McKee can be reached at www.shootrite.org. Can You Use an AR-15 Charging Handle In an AR-10? Normally, the strong hand maintains its grip on the AR, and the support hand is used to operate the charging handle, which is a three-step process: First, position the thumb of the support hand on the back of the handle in its center. A charging handle on an AR-15 charges or loads the weapon. Many AR owners like to upgrade their firearms and the charging handle is one of the simplest and most cost effective upgrades you can make. Why is My Glock Not Accurate: Common Reasons and How to Fix, Why Does My Glock Shoot Low and to the Left? I see no mention of a stock. Reasons Why Your AR-15 Charging Handle Wont Pull Back, How to Fix a Charging Handle with too Much Coating or Paint, After Market Handle Fixes are Easy but not Alway Cheap, Warping is a Problem with a Simple Solution, Why is My Glock Not Accurate: Common Reasons and How to Fix, Why Does My Glock Shoot Low and to the Left? Move the bolt into the rear position by keeping pressure on the charging handle and bumping the butt of your rifle on the ground. Copyright 1996-2023 AR15.COM LLC. When there are significant issues with your gun, it can be like a punch in the gut. To resolve a stovepipe jam that you have visually identified, you may simply be able to sweep across the ejection port and dislodge the offending empty with a simple hand motion. It may be helpful to compare the primer to that of an empty cartridge that was successfully fired. Just finished my build and no ammo through it as of yet. The first thing you will need to do is pull the bolt back and lock it in the rearward position. The biggest trick to installing the charging handle is that the bolt must be pulled forward on the bolt carrier group (BCG) in order for them to slide freely into the upper. Maybe you need to know how to clear a double feed. Youll pay more than most standard charging handles but the ease of use is worth it. 1. The only other thing I changed out on the lower was a Norgon Ambi-Mag release and the Ultimate Arms Gear Ambi Safety. Without the magazine inserted you should be just fine to rack it freely. Simply put, a stoppage is any situation where your AR-15 fails to complete a cycle of operation. In fact, youve got something akin to a log jam happening in your receiver. A weak spring may not have the force required to push the ammunition into position to be pushed forward into the chamber. I'm having the same issue with my new SA kit. The charging handle on your AR-15 should pull back easily, and if it doesnt, there are a few problems that could be happening. Thats when it picks up the second round and youve got a beauty of a double-feed on your hands. It has many uses and can be tricked out with many after-market pieces that resemble something from a science fiction film. I then pulled my other SA bolt from my 6.8 and swapped everything over and it worked just fine. Before you go any further, simply be sure that your magazine is loaded properly and solidly seated. As mentioned earlier, the charging handle is used to check the condition of the chamber. Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in north Alabama, and author of The Book of Two Guns. Theres three things that can happen when the charging handle is released. Gas systems are also at risk of not holding enough pressure to properly cycle when they become fouled. Take time to inspect the charging handle and the bolt carrier group to look for scuff marks or indentions where the handle might be scrubbing. There are easy fixes for your charging handle issues, as long as you know what you are dealing with. Without a charging handle, the user couldn't load . We have suspended all shipments to Washington residents due to the signing of HB1240. For more information, please see our It is more efficient to use the tap, rack and reassess method, but with the rifle angled with the ejection port down so that you can get a little help from Newtons friend, gravity. While we consider the double-feed a simple stoppage, magazine function often contributes to this type of stoppage. If thats what youre looking for then I suggest the Strike AR-15 Charging Handle Here because its better quality than most standard mil-spec charging handles but still at a budget price. Up for a few 29-round mags, anyone? The correction of a brass over bolt malfunction requires a bit of force, but it really isnt a dire situation. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win. i swapped the bolt for a Spike Tactical BCG and the rifle cycles fine with the upper closed and pinned. Then, using the elbow (not the shoulder), cycle the handle aggressively, pulling it straight to the rear. This friction could be the cause of your pulling issues. Magnum Research Debuts The .500 Linebaugh BFR. If an application of lock, rip and rack doesnt work, youll have to dig in the magazine well with your fingers to clear the offending rounds. So why wont the charging handle on my AR-15 pull back? From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm. Smooth and easy just like it did in my 6.8. The other ten percent will require the operator to use his or her fingers to clear the brass by sweeping them though the magazine well. If you are having issues with failure to feed, you may find that you have a common problem with your magazine. "Rack" pull the charging handle of your AR-15 back swiftly with ample force and release it . The name charging handles comes from the fact that its the handle used to charge or load the rifle. Drop-in replacement springs are often of a lot better quality than most springs that are original equipment in many builds. Receive exclusive deals, new product announcements and need to know information. The most common issue I see with the AR is students letting their support hand impede the handle and bolt groups forward movement. I think you need to read up on how an AR works. The brass was extracted properly, but did not eject and is pinned in the ejection port by the bolt face. Even more fun than Stubbed rounds, are cartridges that have separated on extraction, ejecting a partial cartridge and leaving the balance in the chamber. Without a charging handle, the user couldnt load a round into the chamber to ready the weapon for firing. It pulls the bolt carrier to the rear which opens the breech, ejects spent rounds, and cocks the hammer in one fluid motion. If youre somewhat new to the AR-15 platform you might find things that catch you by surprise. Nous partageons galement des informations sur votre usage de notre site avec nos rseaux sociaux, publicitaires et partenaires d'analyse. AR-15 malfunctions may be due to an irregularity in the performance of the rifle itself, the magazine used to deliver ammunition to the rifle or a problem with the ammunition itself. Once the handle has reached full extension, allow it to strip from your hand: Release it as you would a bowstring, allowing the bolt group to snap forward under full spring pressure. This creates a stoppage, requiring additional manipulations. Many gas system issues will produce a particular malfunction causing a short stroke or short recoil. This malfunction of gas management systems creates excess back pressure so that the bolt carrier group is not forced through the full rearward cycle as required to feed subsequent rounds. Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited. 3) You fired all of the ammunition and the bolt catch / bolt release mechanism engaged automatically once your . TNVC/NGI Giveaway: 15 winners with over $7000 worth of prizes!! Neckbone Armory is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Charging handle would not pull back. So I guess the SA Carrier is out of spec. When the takedown pin is engaged it forces the upper and lower a faction apart (i can see the gap on mine) and the charging handle cannot be pulled back because the bolt is hitting the (top of) lower receiver/buffer tube. In this case, you may be able to resolve your problem with a simple tap, rack and reassess, but if the failure recurs with any frequency, it is likely your rifle has a true malfunction that needs to be addressed. In my case, i found it was the Bolt Carrier Group. Stopping Power and Caliber. Strong springs, components with quality finishes and parts that fit properly are essential for trouble free operation of the AR-15 weapon system. The article originally appeared in the May 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. Warping is the most severe problem you can have with a charging handle. However, side charging upper receivers, bolt carriers, and charging handles arent as common making them generally harder to find a more expensive than traditional charging handles. Weak or Broken Extractor Spring replace spring that is no longer serviceable. After looking at the most common stoppages and malfunctions of the AR-15, you really need to take away two things: The AR-15 functions best when kept clean and lubricated, dont neglect basic rifle hygiene! Where 30 round magazines are involved in repeated stoppages and feeding malfunctions its not uncommon to find a specific problem: There isnt enough room at the top of a fully loaded 30-round magazine for the magazine catch to take hold of it and the spring is already depressed so far that there is no give. On examination the operator identifies a bolt over brass malfunction. Maybe, but simple and smooth are not the same thing. What's really annoying is that it can happen at any time. While failure to fire might seem to be a serious malfunction, failure to extract can have much more serious results if the problem is not readily identified. "Tap" your magazine to be sure it is properly seated. When there are significant issues with your gun, it can be like a punch in the gut. Hitting the bolt release is the most efficient and ergonomic way to chamber a round during an empty reload. Check the function of the magazine spring. The new mag is inserted and locked in with the left hand, so the thumb is already there and ready to release the bolt. How to Fix Common AR-15 Malfunctions and Stoppages, Defective Rounds / Ammunition Borne Feed Malfunction, AR-10 / LR-308 Complete Upper Receiver Assemblies, AR-10/LR-308 Buffers, Buffer Tubes, and Kits, Shop All AR-15 Complete Upper Receiver Assemblies, Shop All AR-10 / LR-308 Complete Upper Receiver Assemblies, Shop All AR-10 / LR-308 Upper Receiver Parts, Shop All AR-10 / LR-308 Lower Receiver Parts, Shop All Handgun Barrels & Muzzle Devices, Shop All Bipods / Monopods & Accessories, Tap your magazine to be sure it is properly seated. These steps might be easier for some if the upper receiver is upside down. It is always best to simply release the charging handle and let the buffer spring do the work of returning the bolt carrier. The bolt carrier is pushing against the charging handle. Many new AR owners are able to get the bolt carrier and charging handle removed, but then get stuck trying to reassemble. An AR-15 side changing handle is a variation of a traditional AR-15 upper receiver where the charging handle is on the side of the upper receiver instead of at the top rear. If you inspect the firing pin and find no obvious defect, your best bet is to clean the weapon being sure to pay special attention to the firing pin, bolt and bolt carrier, as well as the area of the barrel extension locking lug. To perform an empty reload when the bolt is locked to the rear, its best to use the bolt catch as a bolt release. This is my first AR. First, lets look at what makes up a charging handle. As the bolt carrier is pulled back, it also pulls the bolt located inside the carrier with it, which extracts any spent casings in the chamber of the barrel. Then you have the latch and spring on the handle portion. If it is dented or bulged, the magazine may not allow ammunition to move properly into the rifle. 299 views, 7 likes, 16 loves, 55 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from New Hope Community Church: 4/30/23 Try it after you remove the magazine. Once in place, tug on the magazine to be sure its properly engaged with the magazine catch. Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. It occurs when a round fails to load into the chamber of an AR from the magazine. Likewise, excess dirt on the lower receiver extension (buffer tube) or a fouled gas tube may have a negative impact on the ability of the system to function. If you have a collapsible type stock, then check to see that the stock is in proper alignment, as some of the collapsible type stocks (M4, CAR, etc) have a flat spot on the top front area that the charging handle needs to go over as you manually cycle the action. Read on and learn about why your charging handle wont pull back and how to fix it. The most common reason an AR-15 has trouble pulling back is because the charging handle is warped. Common Causes and What Can be Done to Prevent It, Why a Glock Will Stovepipe: Failure to Eject Issues Resolved, Which Revolver Is Most Powerful? Here, again, the strong hand is used to pull back on the charging handle, while the support hand is positioned at the magwell of the lower receiver. Either of which will inevitably cause AR-15 jamming. Like many other AR-15 malfunctions, failure to fire malfunctions that are due to a firing pin malfunction are frequently caused by a buildup of by-product from the combustion of propellant, or fouling. Theyre simple to use as long as you use the correct technique. Pull the bolt all the way back and lock it in place. Fouled or Corroded Chamber Inspect and clean, then determine if the chamber is damaged or safe to return to service. Hi my name is Neckbone and I started this site because I love firearms and shooting sports. 12K views, 254 likes, 39 loves, 3 comments, 34 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Matilda Montgomery: The team goes beyond boundaries to make sure Hetty. It is possible that an unfired cartridge could be in the chamber. In fact, you can actually torque the handle out of shape. Remove the excess coating with a grinder, and be sure to remove only the amount needed to make the handle function properly. I've tried different triggers and no go. Defective rounds can cause a number of different versions of the failure to feed family, but there are two ammunition failures that are more common than the rest. Reassess This replaces the Bang part of the cycle many veterans were taught. Simply said, before firing, be sure that there is still a reason to do so and that it is still safe to fire. The fix is quite simple: buy a new charging handle. Yes, prevention is the key to this one. Looking at the primer of the round in question, note the depth of the mark left by the firing pin striking the primer. [ARCHIVED THREAD] - Charging Handle not Returning, TF 9 3663 Rifle 5.56MM, XM16E1 Operation and Cycle of Functioning. As always, perform immediate action to attempt to resolve your stoppage. Assuming youve ruled out magazine issues, you may have a damaged, worn or completely broken buffer spring. I used a flathead screw driver and it worked! There are plenty of great charging handles available now a days but theres a couple that stand out to me that deserve a mention here. The charging handles for AR-10 rifles are longer and are sold separately from AR-15 charging handles. The top of the AR-9 bolt carrier is built to mimic a standard AR-15 with a mounted gas key for the charging handle to grab onto. The Tap, Rack, and Reassess cycle will resolve a great many AR-15 stoppages. Using the Tap & Tug loading procedure is second nature to many shooters, and can help the shooter new to the AR platform to avoid a lot of issues that might look like a feeding malfunction at first blush. With the Ejection Port Cover open, the bolt is exposed about 1/4". There are two causes of failure to fire that are at fault in the vast majority of this category of malfunction: Either the ammunition itself is defective or the firing pin has not struck the primer hard enough to trigger the initial explosion that ignites the powder inside the casing. Prevention? Moral of the story, clean, properly maintained rifles rarely short cycle. The charging handle is located inside the upper receiver and gets pulled back above the buffer tube and stock of the rifle. A quality charging handle can help increase the aesthetic of your firearm, allow you to grip and operate the weapon easier, and also increase the users proficiency. With the stovepipe jam cleared, you may reseat your magazine if youve had to remove it, rack the bolt back and release it, readying your system to fire. Assuming youve already attempted the immediate action routine and youre up against some resistance youll need to do the following: While that sounds simple enough, you need to understand that sometimes these things are really stuck in there. The appearance of a stovepipe jam is the source of its moniker. Just dont load those big mags clear full. AR-15s are dependable, and if there is a charging handle problem, it is significant. The charging handle will return to its forward position if the bolt carrier is not locked to the rear. The thumb should follow the center line of the stock as it moves rearward, maintaining alignment between the handle and its channel in the upper receiver.