Jump to content
308AR.com Community
  • Visit Aero Precision
  • Visit Brownells
  • Visit EuroOptic
  • Visit Site
  • Visit Beachin Tactical
  • Visit Rainier Arms
  • Visit Ballistic Advantage
  • Visit Palmetto State Armory
  • Visit Cabelas
  • Visit Sportsmans Guide

Bolt not going back far enough to engage bolt face


boostless

Recommended Posts

I posted this in my "build thread" but want to bring it out to clear some things up.  My bolt will not go back far enough to have the bolt catch engage the face of the bolt.  The rifle will fire and cycle with out a problem it just won't lock open on an empty mag.  Test firing was with a 20 round magpul mag loaded with 5 rds.

 

Parts are as follows:

 

Aero upper/lower set

Aero BCG

DPMS stock set: http://www.buckeyetactical.com/dpms-buttstock-assembly-6-position-collapsible-lr-308-ar-15-carbine-synthetic-black.html

Magpul mags

Charging handle is just a standard one: http://www.surplusammo.com/ar-10-lr-308-charging-handle-complete/

 

The measurements on the buffer stuff:

 

Spring measures 10.5 inches just sitting on the table and has 38 coils

Buffer measures 2.5 inches including the rubber end piece

Tube depth is 7 inches

 

Any help would be appreciated since the buffer system is what really confuses me on these rifle systems.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 64
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

I don't think it's your buffer. It sounds like the right one, at least part wise. The only thing there (and I'm not sure it's your issue) is maybe a heavier buffer to slow the cyclic rate (will also greatly reduce recoil).

What parts kit did you use when building? Wondering what bolt catch you used. Armalite makes the best one for this platform, by far it's beefier than others, but may need to be fitted. Also, and maybe most telling and cheapest, what's the round count and what was your lube situation? The larger frame rifle can take up to and/or over a couple hundred rounds to break in, preferably running sloppy wet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

round count is at 10. 

LPK was a CMMG.

 

I'm not gonna jump into the AR-10 bolt catch yet.  The bolt has another half inch to move back before it's even capable of being engaged by the bolt catch when pulled back with the charging handle. 

 

It cycles just fine when firing the only problem I had with the cycling is getting the first round chambered after that it runs fine.  I would say that the bolt was pretty wet, I had oil seeping out between the receivers.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did you try another P-mag to ensure that it by some chance was a bad one? If you are running a DPMS carbine length tube are you you running a carbine length 308 buffer and spring? If all the answers to this is yes, than its the CMMG Bolt catch. Easy and cheap fix.

Edited by Zebra644
Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you can't give me a reason that it's the bolt catch then please don't mention it.  It is not causing the bolt to stop it's rearward travel.  Yes, I have tried multiple pmags.  I ordered a 308 buffer tube kit so all the parts should be for a 308 and I gave what measurements I have.  The bolt does not travel far back enough to get to the point where the bolt catch can even engage the bolt face.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'd have to check but, if it's not the CMMG catch (CMMG stuff has a questionable reputation around here) it might be the action spring it is possible you may have received an AR15 spring by mistake - that spring would reach coil bind and could cause the problem you are experiencing, I'll try to find a minute to check the # of coils on one of my DPMS carbine length springs and report back later.

Edited by guruofhotrod
Link to comment
Share on other sites

98, how do I relax the spring?  When I got that measurement the spring was just sitting on the table.

 

By relaxed he just means uncompressed, if you measured it that way you have the relaxed measurement. CMMG is rightly another four-letter word around here, their products are preferred by Satan worshipers and sadists everywhere.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That measurement you gave in the first post - 10.5".  That's about 3" too short, and 4 coils too many.  That's why I asked.

 

Sitting it on the table is the relaxed length - not compressed.  Wrong spring for a .308 AR, for certain. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

The buffer is good to go right? at least with the length?

 

Yes, 2.5" buffer for a 7" internal depth carbine receiver extension.

 

I think you're hitting coil bind on that weirdass spring - whatever that thing is meant for.  It doesn't match any .308 AR or AR-15 published lengths or coil count, at all.

 

EDIT - That might be a spring for some RRA .308 Carbine design - have to hit up the RRA owners.

Edited by 98Z5V
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Likely spring bind. To confirm put a small dot of grease on the rubber end of the buffer, carefully reassamble without messing up the dot of grease. Pull the thing all the way back, and release, then disassemble and inspect. If the rubber tip hit the end of the buffer tube, the grease dot will end up being smeared. If the spring is binding on the coils, the rubber tip won't make it to the back of the tube and the dot will be somewhat intact.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So it's not going all the way back.  I had my wife stick an allen wrench in the little hole on the buffer tube and it went in about 1 3/8 in.  so I think with the thickness of the end of the buffer tube it still has about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch to compress.

 

I didn't have actual grease but I used some engine assembly lube to test and it wasn't compressed/squished/spread out at all.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...