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Posted: 6/5/2006 9:05:53 AM EDT
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I went to the range on Saturday to qualify. After an extended shooting session, my CAR15 started having a problem by not fully ejecting the spent casings whilst feeding the next round in. You can imagine my frustration (and my use of some highly colorful metaphors). I was able to finish qualifying, but it put me in a really foul mood for the rest of my shift. The extractor is fine. It has been awhile since I cleaned the gas tube. Can it be a dirty tube or maybe rings in the bolt are going bad? I am going to totally disassemble the bolt on my next day off (tomorrow). This is the first time this has ever happened. Ken |
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Sounds like a short stroke to me. Check to make sure the gas key is properly staked. Make sure there is nothing inside the receiver causing friction against the bolt carrier such as dirt and junk. Make sure your gas tube looks fine on the carrier end and isn't cracked or anything of that sort. What kind of ammo? Clean and oil the extractor. I guess it wouldn't hurt to change the rings if they look worn. Make sure they aren't lined up either. Check inside your buffer tube and make sure everything looks normal, as well as the buffer. |
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I think a short stroke is when the empty shell is ejected but the new round isn't picked up. Try the TROUBLESHOOTING forum, you'll probably find more luck there... ETA: Also, check out this Link. It sounds like you are having a similar problem. |
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You're not supposed to clean the inside of the gas tube. Doing so CAN lead to problems (as carbon gets built up to a sludge thanks to any oils that remained). Did you inspect your bolt to make sure all 3 gas rings are present? Did you do the test (angling the bolt carrier and insure the bolt does NOT slide out) to ensure the rings are supplying enough friction to the inside of the bolt carrier (test specifics can be found in chapter 2 of the -23&P ). Did you have your weapon lubed properly (according to the -10?) Ammo used? |
This goes against everything that I have been taught. Every single armorer that I know (and what I also learned from AGI) recommends cleaning the gas tube after 1000 rounds if possible.
Yes.
No, but after you mentioned it, I did it and it is supplying enough friction.
My life depends on my weapons - you damn straight it was properly lubed.
I used: 55gr Federal American Eagle - still jammed 55gr Winchester White Box - still jammed 62gr Silver Bear - FMJ still jammed but actually got more rounds off than the other two 62gr Silver Bear - SP - same as the other Silver Bear Any more suggestions? I am at a loss, and since I will be using this weapon for possible duty use, I want it to be as reliable as possible. Ken |
Somebody's been feeding you BS. Nowhere in the -10 does it recommend lubing the inside of the gas tube. Exterior of the tube should be cleaned. The inside of the Gas Key however should get a drop or two of CLP after cleaning it with a pipe cleaner. The military does not specify the cleaning of the inside of the gas tube in the -10 nor the -23&P. PS 566 p50 specifically covers gas system maintenance and cleaning the inside is not mentioned there either. However PS 552 and PS 570 specifically warn against cleaning/lubing beyond what is mentioned in the -10. IF the gas tube is clogged the remedy is to replace it (it's a wear item anyway the end will wear over time requiring it and/or the gas key to be replaced). Other possible problems (besides a clogged gas tube) would be a worn tube, bent tube (not likely considering you don't mention dropping the rifle during your range session), or a gas key screw that snapped during firing (now resulting in a gas leak). If you have a spare bolt carrier I'd test to see if its the gas key (try other carrier - if it works when the other one won't then you should replace the gas key screws). Otherwise my money would be on a partially clogged gas tube. |
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not fully ejecting the spent casings whilst feeding the next round in. You may also notice excessive recoil. Put in a new buffer spring. A weak buffer spring allows the bolt carrier assy to come back too fast, it bounces off the rear of the tube, and back forward, feeding the new round, but not before the empty can clear the ejection port, resulting in the "stovepipe jam". I can easily demonstrate this to you at the range by clipping off turns from the buffer spring, and induce this malfunction. Or the extractor may be losing control of the empty case, in which case a new ejector spring and insert will help. |
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Thanks for all the help guys. It was actually the rings on the bolt. I replaced the bolt with a new chromed bolt and voila, no more problems. I bought new rings, so that I have a spare bolt with me at all times. Damn, my range box is going to need a damn dolly to lug it around. I cleaned the gas tube (with the pipe cleaners only), there was very little powder residue. I made the mistake of cleaning out the collapsible buttstock, and now the damn thing won't collapse anymore. POS pissed me off to the point I bought the M4 Socom stock from ACE Ltd and installed it. I was unable to go to the range, but a friend who is also an FLEO took it and shot the piss out of it. 500 rounds and no problems whatsoever. He had better clean it after that much shooting. Especially since his Bushy locked up a round in the chamber (he was using Wolf ammo in his, and now I get to fix that one too). Is this an obsession or what? Again, thanks to all of you for your help. Ken |
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