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Posted: 4/2/2005 9:29:49 PM EDT
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Anyone have the time to adress this: I have a like new (under 250 rounds) DPMS M4A3 type rifle. The bolt seemed to fit into the carrier very tightly and has not significantly loosened with the little shooting I have done. Is this part of the break in? I carried an M-16 for years and the bolt was very free in the carrier. Should I replace the gas rings, they do seem a bit big. It does not seem to greatly affect performance, but when a round does not seat hard enough, it is hard to unseat the round in the chamber. Rich Thanks for any input! |
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What exactly do you check the gas rings for? There are three of them and they seem in fine condition. I suspected that they may be the problem since the bolt is soooooo tight in the carrier. What is a way to test them, should I get one of those single ring mods? Is that a cheap way to find out? Or should I just let them break in? I'm just use to the bolt fitting into the carrier alot looser. Any ideas? THANKS! |
Sounds like your shooting reloads if the round is sticking in the chamber and the bolt isn't lockingup.Lubricate with LSO or like product ,buy some good milspec ammo and shoot 100rnds.Guaranteed the bolt will loosen up. 
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Pull the gas rings off the bolt and try the bolt into the carrier by hand. If you find that the bolt will not fully seat, then you need to check the bugle section of the bolts gas section. Often the bolt is not fully straight milled and you will find a step between the straight section and the start of the bugle. This raw/incorrectly milled section is the problem, and can be solved by simple chucking the bolt up in a drill and spin filing the section correctly. Also, while you have the gas rings out, notice that they are stamped cut. This meant that one side of the rings will have a shape bur edge. A few seconds stoning off this light burs on each of the rings does wonders (read just break the edge/bur). |
| This may sound unconventional, but I have had this problem many times and found a very easy fix. Just "break-in" the bolt and carrier by hand. Leave the bolt and carrier fully assembled, pull the bolt out to the full "unlocked" position, then slam the bolt face onto a block of hardwood or other similar semi-hard surface. This will slam the bolt home into the carrier, effectively "marrying" the two parts and breaking them in. I know it sounds strange, but it works. I have done this on many b/c groups and it has worked every time. Do it as many times as it takes until the bolt is loosened up in the carrier and you are done. But be reasonable, if it does not loosen up after 20 or so "beatings" then something else is wrong. |
| If the rounds are "sticking in the chamber," then the chamber is dirty and needs a thorough cleaning. If you're shooting steel-case ammunition, the lacquer will adhere to the chamber and must be removed periodically. Get a chamber brush and clean thoroughly with a good solvent. |
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