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Posted: 2/22/2025 1:16:44 PM EDT
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This is a first for me. NOS/NIB Green Label Colt R6520 Gov't Carbine from late 80's, early 90's. Rifle is pristine, looks unfired, not a mark on the hammer or buffer, but when I attempt the pull the charging handle to the rear the bcg moves maybe a centimeter, but seems like it doesn't want to unlock from the barrel extension. The ejection port cover is closed and the bcg obviously won't move far enough to open it. Opening the rifle up shotgun style, I don't see anything out of the ordinary, the bcg is one of the later half moon types. I purchased the rifle from a Dealer online and being that it was sold as NIB, they probably didn't even bother to do a function check themselves prior to listing it. Being that it's a NIB Rifle and may be going back to the Dealer I don't want to try mortaring or anything extreme. Especially since I don't really know for sure what the problem really is. In 25+ years of dealing with the platform this is a first for me and can't imagine that any type dried factory preservative could seize a bcg up like this. At this point I'm thinking something with the fire pin retaining pin or possibly the dreaded bcg with no cam pin installed? TIA |
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Oil on bolt set up like shellac? I am uncertain how far you can pull before the bolt must be turned by the cam. I wonder if it’s about 1 cm? I’d try dribbling acetone down the barrel extension along the feed cuts. Muzzle pointed down. Let that soak, then pull a little on the charging handle, just tap tap tapping it to see if that works it loose. May want to pull the hand guards just in case the solvent you use eats plastic. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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I know first hand that guns that sit a good ten years can really have the oil turn to thick gum or even like a hardened epoxy. I had to crack a 40x trigger apart that I got from the CMP. I needed acetone and a dental pick set to clear out the yellow hard plastic like substance inside that trigger pack. No way was that trigger going to get clean from the outside without breaking it open. |
The only hyphenated names I like are cartridge names......30-06, 30-40, 38-55 etc.
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Thank you to all that responded. I would have never believed it, but the culprit was/is indeed some sort of preservative that solidified and cemented the cam pin and firing pin in place within the bcg. Could be the og factory preservative or something else someone slathered on decades ago. Colt's giga cucked bcg with the exposed firing pin is actually what saved the day. I noticed that the firing pin wouldn't move at all and it should, so I grabbed a plastic tooth brush along with a rubber mallet and gave the firing pin a few good whacks forward just to see if I could get it to move. It did move with force and broke a channel loose creating enough space for me to finally pull the charging handle back far to enough to unlock the bolt and get the bcg out of the upper. After I removed the bcg and fp retaining pin, I found that the firing pin still wouldn't move and I couldn't get it out of the bolt. I soaked it in CLP for several hours, but it still wouldn't budge. I decided to try the tooth brush/mallet again and was able to finally get it moving and out of the bolt. The residue on the fp was definitely dried on, but did come off quite easily with some clp. With the tight tolerances I guess it doesn't take much to vapor lock the parts. Moving on to the cam pin, it is also 100% cemented in place and won't budge. I tried using a small crescent wrench to break it free and I was able to get it moving very slowly back and fourth a bit, but there is no way in hell it's being pulled out. I have the front of the bcg soaking in some kroil now and hopefully it will dissolve the cemented crud and i'll be able to get it removed. After action: 1. If you're going to store a semi auto firearm long term use CLP or something similar that will protect the firearm, but not turn to cement. 2. When you run into a problem like this, being able to take a step back, remain calm, consult with others and critically think a bit works wonders. I don't think Brian Shaw mortaring on this Rifle would have freed up those parts. It probably would have blown the stock to smithereens and bent the receiver extension though. Not good and certainly proved first hand that these weapons can seize up. 3. Even when dealing with NOS/NIB firearms. You now have to ask/confirm. Does the action cycle? |
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I ran into that problem once on an upper from KM Tactical. I left it sit for a few weeks with a bullet in the chamber, and then couldn't get it open. FINALLY got it to move (knowing I couldn't point the barrel in any unsafe direction) via pulling on the charging handle and butt-striking my sidewalk while attempting to mortar it, and turns out, the 'chrome lining' in the cheap Chinese bullshit barrel had flaked off and locked the cartridge in place. Never again, KM Tactical. Never again. Good job OP on getting that freed up. I would've ended up breaking the upper or some crap. |
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