Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited. As far as the bolt being exposed is concerned, you are probably riding the charging handle instead of letting the BCG slam home freely. The handle and bolt catch are used together to manually lock the bolt open. The cartridge that should have been ejected does not exit through the ejection port, but either stays part way in the chamber or ends up jammed into the upper when the bolt comes forward. Save my name and email to use for future comments. This was runner up for best overall but its really a great ambidextrous option. Stopping Power and Caliber, The bolt carrier and charging handle will slide to the rear of the upper receiver, Pull the bolt carrier out of the back of the upper receiver, Slide the charging handle back and forth near the rear of the upper receiver, The wings on the charging handle must find the opening in the upper receiver to fit through, Pull the charging handle out the back of the upper receiver, Slide the charging handle part way into the upper receiver, Move the charging handle back and forth so the wings on the charging handle can find their opening in the upper receiver, The charging handle will fit into its own channel on the top of the upper receiver, Once in its channel, slide the charging handle about half way into the upper receiver, Pull the bolt forward in the bolt carrier, Slide the gas key on the bolt carrier into the channel on the charging handle, Slide the charging handle and BCG forward into the upper receiver, If the BCG doesnt want to go, make sure the bolt is pulled forward in the BCG, Latch the charging handle by pushing it into the upper receiver until the charging handle latch clicks into place. Other common reasons include the weapon being dirty, charging handle coating, and after market parts. Now lets cover how they work, the best charging handles for the money, and how to install or swap out charging handles. 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? Copyright 1996-2023 AR15.COM LLC. Get 12 Issues a year of the country's best firearms writing. But it can also make the user more efficient when loading, unloading, or charging the firearm. Sorry, this post was deleted by the person who originally posted it. Before you go any further, simply be sure that your magazine is loaded properly and solidly seated. Will call SA customer service on Monday. Once the rifle is secure, look into the barrel to see if the bullet is lodged inside. Just finished my build and no ammo through it as of yet. Most of the time this malfunction is caused by short stroking (we covered short recoil earlier) or fouling or corrosion of the chamber which cause friction on extraction throwing off extraction and ejection functions. There is an empty mag installed (PMAG Gen 3 5.56). The reason for the non-Milspec items is that the gas system is an Osprey Gas Piston system (mid-length). Let's take a look at the common stoppages and malfunctions of the AR-15 and help you with some of those mysteries. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. 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. When one of these things occurs, what youre experiencing is a stoppage of your AR system. The third and most complicated type of stoppage is the double-feed. If youve followed proper procedure, youve just done a tap, rack, and reassess cycle and found that your AR-15 is definitely not ready to fire. Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. I watched a YouTube Army video and it appeared that the charging handle sprung back. Once the handle is bent, the bolt carrier cant reciprocate and the AR ceases to function. Stopping Power and Caliber. AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own. The handle is right on the surface of the rifle and easily removed once the upper is opened. The first thing you will need to do is pull the bolt back and lock it in the rearward position. With the Ejection Port Cover open, the bolt is exposed about 1/4". Attempt immediate action, discover that charging handle wont move, and identify brass over bolt condition. Perhaps youve just fired one, or maybe several rounds, and now your weapon wont fire again. 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. Magnum Research Debuts The .500 Linebaugh BFR. To perform this and other tasks efficiently and to prevent wear and tear on your AR its important to implement the proper techniques when using the handle catch/release in tandem, as well as when using them independently. A charging handle is important for making a firearm easier to use, adding better grip, and making a rifle ambidextrous. Im having the same issue with my new SA piston kit rifle length on the Falkor Defense Receiver set. You can misalign the ammunition inside the magazine or, if its backed by a strong magazine spring, you could even knock loose a round to try to jump into the chamber prematurely. 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. How To eFile Using ATF eForms: Instructions and Examples, Which Gas Tube Length For AR-15? 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. Good quality AR-15 parts will save you a lot of trouble. 1. For starters, the charging handle is used when performing a chamber check. Once in place, tug on the magazine to be sure its properly engaged with the magazine catch. Just dont load those big mags clear full. The easiest solution is an extended latch type of charging handle. AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own. The charging handle is also used to manually lock the bolt to the rear. You have the charging handle itself, a T shaped handle and a long channel with a hole at one end that hooks over the gas key on the bolt carrier. 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. On the next cycle, a live round may be fed and forced into the base of the case that was left behind. It may take the patience of a saint, more than a few choice words, and smithing tools to extract an ornery piece of brass. How to Fix, Why Does My Glock Rattle? All Rights Reserved. When a failure to extract occurs, the bolt and bolt carrier may short stroke, or they may return completely rearward. Reach through the magazine well to push a finger (or a tool) against the bolt face. These steps might be easier for some if the upper receiver is upside down. When the takedown pin is pulled, the upper and lower fit together tighter and the changing handle and bolt can be pulled back. Receive exclusive deals, new product announcements and need to know information. In fact, you can actually torque the handle out of shape. The new mag is inserted and locked in with the left hand, so the thumb is already there and ready to release the bolt. Dont sweat it! All Rights Reserved. For personal defense weapons, an upgraded charging handle may be considered a peace of mind upgrade. As always, perform immediate action to attempt to resolve your stoppage. If this doesnt solve your problem, you may have a more complex stoppage such as the stovepipe jam. Theres three things that can happen when the charging handle is released. 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. You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers. You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers. If the case has broken or ruptured, it is likely to be stuck in the chamber. Improper technique of the charging handle creates friction and wear, and it requires more force than necessary. This is my first AR. There are a lot questions surrounding the charging handle that I am going to answer here. I'm using a matching Aero upper and lower on the gun that won't work. There are parts out there, and all it will take to get them is a little more time and effort. 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. Knowing when and how to use the charging handle and bolt catch in harmony is key to operating the AR efficiently. Failure to Feed (FTF) Failure to feed (FTF) is one of the most common malfunctions you'll encounter as a gun owner. Success with the modified version of tap, rack and reassess is easily in the 90 percent range. It's not the charging handle or the stock. Thats almost certain to cause the kind of injury that could end your shooting career. AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types. The extra few bucks for an upgraded charging handle will seem like a no brainer in that moment. 8 Common AR-15 Failures. If it is dented or bulged, the magazine may not allow ammunition to move properly into the rifle. It pulls the bolt carrier to the rear which opens the breech, ejects spent rounds, and cocks the hammer in one fluid motion. Even more fun than Stubbed rounds, are cartridges that have separated on extraction, ejecting a partial cartridge and leaving the balance in the chamber. 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. Accumulation of fouling, soot and debris that are a by-product of firing the rifle itself can cause a failure to feed malfunction by slowing or restricting the movement of the bolt carrier group, causing it to fail to cycle completely rearward. When there are significant issues with your gun, it can be like a punch in the gut. Its sometime stuck and I can barely pull the charging handle back. In fact, youve got something akin to a log jam happening in your receiver. Some handles have snazzy grip attachments to give you more leverage; others are smooth as silk when you pull back the hammer and let it rip. The old one works fine as normal on the Falkor Defense Receiver while I cant even slide the new SA Carrier (no bolt) into the other AR. One new winner* is announced every week! However, it can be a bit tricky if you arent aware of the l process. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There are easy fixes for your charging handle issues, as long as you know what you are dealing with. I have the exact same problem. Out of all the things I tried. How's MT doing? The bolt carrier doesnt slide as smoothly as it should. The appearance of a stovepipe jam is the source of its moniker. Lefties can install an ambidextrous charging handle with a release on each side. I used a flathead screw driver and it worked! Knowing when to use the charging handle and bolt catch separately or in unison is mandatory to operating the AR efficiently. the back of the bolt carrier can be machined a little differently depending on the manufacturer. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. 2) You pulled the charging handle rearward while there is an empty mag inserted in the weapon. We are assessing which products can be legally shipped. 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. A charging handle on an AR-15 charges or loads the weapon. Failure to fire is a fairly small category of malfunctions suffered by the AR-15. TNVC/NGI Giveaway: 15 winners with over $7000 worth of prizes!! A charging handle on an AR-15 charges or loads the weapon. 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? The first attempt to remedy any stoppage of an AR-15 should be what those in the know call Immediate Action: Tap, Rack, and Reassess.. The Aero AR-15 Ambidextrous Charging Handle Found Here is a quality piece at a decent price. The AR style rifles have been a go-to for shooting enthusiasts for decades now. A malfunction is a failure of the mechanical, or working parts of the AR system or a failure of the ammunition itself. The fix for this is the same as the magazine-bred double-feed. 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. Youre now ready to fire. The BCG is hanging on the trigger. As a gas operated weapon system, the AR-15, operates best when kept clean and well lubricated. 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. Obviously this stoppage is a simple one to resolve, other stoppages may be more complicated and have mechanical roots. Cycling the handle is all about using proper technique, not brute force. DO NOT try immediate action. If it is damaged, the barrel will need to be replaced. Learn how your comment data is processed. The charging handle and bolt catch are critical components of the AR. I'm outted. When there are significant issues with your gun, it can be like a punch in the gut. Neckbone Armory also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. You need to be sure you are using enough force to properly seat the magazine without being so rough that you dislodge ammunition. In my case, i found it was the Bolt Carrier Group. Pull the bolt to the rear position and the round should fall away. As far as parts go, I have installed the following in my build: Magpul CTR buttstock, Spikes S2-T2 buffer, POF anti-tilt buffer tube, and a Tubb Flat Wire AR-15 Buffer Spring. At one time, or another, it is likely that you will encounter a situation where your AR doesn't behave as you expect it to. A few reasons why your AR-15 charging handle wont pull back are: The reasons that the charging handle doesnt go back are easy to diagnose and sometimes easier to fix. One new winner* is announced every week! Right-handers use their left thumb to engage the catch; lefties use the index finger of the right hand. When the charging handle is pulled completely to the rear, it is under spring tension of the buffer spring pushing against the bolt carrier. It will require fairly aggressive handling to gain the space you will need to clear the stuck round. 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. This is a double-feed. As mentioned earlier, the charging handle is used to check the condition of the chamber. Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited. Some ways to protect against buying the wrong charging handle are: After-market parts are a big reason people buy the AR-15 platform. The latch and spring simply keep the charging handle locked to the upper receiver while the weapon is being used. After cycling the handle with the support hand, its repositioned on the handguard. You wouldnt be the first person if you bought the wrong size charging handle for your new AR build. If it is: There are several causes that may be identified for extraction failures: The end of cycle malfunction. It has many uses and can be tricked out with many after-market pieces that resemble something from a science fiction film. Scan this QR code to download the app now. The BCG stays back and will not go forward until the bolt catch is depressed, and then the BCG goes forward. The double-feed is only made worse by the fact that your buffer spring is keeping pressure on the problem. Strike upward against the charging handle taking care not to break it. I worked as a 45B Small Arms Repairer in the Army and since then I've been enjoying the hobby. Check the function of the magazine spring. When the handle doesnt pull back because of too much coating, there could be less work than you think. If you were to feed another live cartridge you could create a catastrophic explosion. Then you have the latch and spring on the handle portion. If you can see that the barrel is obstructed your rifle will need to spend some time on the bench, this isnt a field serviceable malfunction. 1) You manually locked the bolt to the rear by actuating the bolt catch/bolt release mechanism while pulling back on the charging handle. 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. In this case, you might get the first round off, and then the magazine falls away, knocked loose by recoil. Then, using the elbow (not the shoulder), cycle the handle aggressively . Left-handed shooters should use the right hand to feed a fresh mag and their trigger finger to release the bolt. It is common for the bolt to not fully go into battery if you are riding it. There is a school of thought that believes the proper loading of a magazine is an art of sorts. I'm guessing I have a bolt that's out of spec. So I guess the SA Carrier is out of spec. Be calm and work the problem. 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? Can You Use an AR-15 Charging Handle In an AR-9? While this one isnt as common as some others, its one of those malfunctions that spawns a jam that everyone on the range makes out to be a national emergency. This creates a stoppage, requiring additional manipulations. AR-15 Wont Load Next Round: Common Cycling Issues and How to Fix, Are Ar-15 Magazines Interchangeable? Most of the stoppages that are cleared in this manner would be considered type 1, simple stoppages that may not have a specific known source. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. The strong hand comes off the grip to the charging handle. Drop-in replacement springs are often of a lot better quality than most springs that are original equipment in many builds. Thanks for having more tolerance than some others. Nous partageons galement des informations sur votre usage de notre site avec nos rseaux sociaux, publicitaires et partenaires d'analyse. It has nothing to do with the buffer tube, if I split the upper and . The remedy will depend on whether the cartridge is actually stuck in the chamber and if another round has been fed. The brass was extracted properly, but did not eject and is pinned in the ejection port by the bolt face. When I pull back on the charging handle (BCM Gunfighter), it clicks at the full retraction point and is then loose, i.e., no spring tension to bring it back forward. Obviously, if you do find damage to the firing pin, it will require replacement. There are plenty of guys running 29 rounds in 30-round magazines who never have to figure out how to clear a double feed. Move the bolt into the rear position by keeping pressure on the charging handle and bumping the butt of your rifle on the ground. 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. Read on and learn about why your charging handle wont pull back and how to fix it. "Rack" pull the charging handle of your AR-15 back swiftly with ample force and release it . By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win. Simply put, a stoppage is any situation where your AR-15 fails to complete a cycle of operation. AR Basics: Mastering The Nuances of Charging Handle And Bolt Release. Imagine a scenario where youre butt naked trying to clear a malfunction in the middle of the night in the pitch dark to save your loved ones. I lived in Great Falls and married my wife from Chinook. Short Recoil see the section above on short stroke due to dirt, debris, and fouling. Without a charging handle, the user couldnt load a round into the chamber to ready the weapon for firing. 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. Maybe, but simple and smooth are not the same thing. When you pull back on the charging handle, it hooks over the gas key on the bolt carrier, a little staked down piece on top of the bolt carrier that the gas tube settles into. It is possible that an unfired cartridge could be in the chamber. 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. It occurs when a round fails to load into the chamber of an AR from the magazine. In most cases, you will find that a simple pull of the charging handle will free the brass that failed to eject, you need to be sure that live round hasnt been fed either partially or completely into the chamber. Pull the bolt all the way back and lock it in place. Once the bolt is locked back move the safety selector to the safe position and take out the magazine. I just finished building my first AR-15. The stovepipe jam is simply diagnosed. Try it after you remove the magazine. Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. This should allow the round to come loose. Once those conditions are established, feel free to give the bang portion a try. It may be helpful to compare the primer to that of an empty cartridge that was successfully fired. If the indentation in the primer appears to be of normal depth, the round is defective and should be disposed of safely. 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. The charging handle is only operated manually. I've tried different triggers and no go. Then, using the elbow (not the shoulder), cycle the handle aggressively, pulling it straight to the rear. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win. The most common reason an AR-15 has trouble pulling back is because the charging handle is warped. If the failure to eject malfunction is a recurring problem and it is not resolved by giving your weapon a good cleaning and proper lubrication treatment, it is best to just go ahead and replace the ejector and extractor springs as well as the extractor. The charging handle on your AR-15 should pull back easily, and if it doesnt, there are a few problems that could be happening. It pulls the bolt carrier to the rear which opens the breech, ejects spent rounds, and cocks the hammer in one fluid motion. Simply put, dirty weapons often short cycle, either due to friction or binding of the bolt carrier group or because fouling or dirt increases back-pressure on the gas system to a level that cushions the action of the bolt rather than allowing it to cycle backward to its fullest extent. Stoppages may be caused by simple human error or by mechanical malfunction. A place for responsible gun owners and enthusiasts to talk about guns without the politics. Theyre simple to use as long as you use the correct technique. "Tap" your magazine to be sure it is properly seated. If you guys know what probably happened or . Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in north Alabama, and author of The Book of Two Guns. A common cause of failure to chamber is that the bolt carrier group has not moved forward with enough force to complete the operation of feeding/chambering ammunition or to lock the bolt in place. Tape the casing with the cleaning rod to chase it back out of the chamber. Right-handed shooters use their snake fangs to grasp the handle; left-handers use the right-hand technique described above. Heres a quick video showing the process, with written steps below: To remove an AR-15 charging handle the upper must be removed from the lower receiver or at least separated by removing the rear takedown pin. Looking at the primer of the round in question, note the depth of the mark left by the firing pin striking the primer. I think you need to read up on how an AR works. The standard mil-spec charging handle can be easily found in most gun stores and online. A failure to feed is a malfunction that can happen as you initially load your rifle or during a firing cycle. Which Ones Are. Apply steady pressure. 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? If you have frequent double-feeds and youre a fan of 30-round mags, you just might be creating your own malfunction. TNVC/NGI Giveaway: 15 winners with over $7000 worth of prizes!! Next, use the index finger to unlatch. Take hold of the charging handle and move finger from the bolt. An empty magazine is supposed to lock the BCG to the rear. 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. The charging handle assembly is used to manually cycle the bolt group during loading and unloading, and while clearing malfunctions and stoppages. Charging handle would not pull back. I then pulled my other SA bolt from my 6.8 and swapped everything over and it worked just fine. But, first, remember that when the handle on the rifle does not pull back, you should remove the magazine and any ammunition that might be stuck in the chamber. This site will have something for everybody! While this may work, you still wont have a round chambered and ready to fire. Now, with the magazine out, rack the bolt back, maybe two or three times to ensure youve applied the needed force to the situation. Failure to Feed. 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. The bolt carrier is pushing against the charging handle. 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. Many new AR owners are able to get the bolt carrier and charging handle removed, but then get stuck trying to reassemble. I did swap that entire BCG with another SA BCG on another AR. There are a number of things that can contribute to failure to feed/chamber malfunctions. The fix is quite simple: buy a new charging handle. We have suspended all shipments to Washington residents due to the signing of HB1240. Strong springs, components with quality finishes and parts that fit properly are essential for trouble free operation of the AR-15 weapon system. 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. Smooth and easy just like it did in my 6.8. i swapped the bolt for a Spike Tactical BCG and the rifle cycles fine with the upper closed and pinned. If the primer is unmarked or the indentation is significantly shallower than normal, there is a problem with the function of the firing pin. Now, the bolt isnt far enough along to use the forward assist to complete the cycle so what do you do? The Tap, Rack, and Reassess cycle will resolve a great many AR-15 stoppages. When the bullet has been forced back into a cartridge, its likely to hang up on its way forward or go any way but straight causing a jam. In regards to the trigger group, I purchased the DPMS LPK and upgraded that trigger by using the JP Enterprises Trigger Spring (yellow), the AR15 Trigger Adjuster, and the KNS Hammer and Trigger Pins Non-Rotate upgrade. Some rifles absolutely need an upgraded charging handle because the mounted optic is getting in the way. Stubbed rounds are no fun. Thats when it picks up the second round and youve got a beauty of a double-feed on your hands. 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. All you can do for this one is head back to the bench, brake the rifle down, and replace that spring with a quality replacement buffer spring like the one offered in Spikes Tactical AR-15 Buffer Tube Assembly Kit.
can't pull charging handle back on ar15