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. Then you have the latch and spring on the handle portion. Categorized as a failure to chamber or feed, the simple problem of an improper lock due to a magazine that is either setting against the ground or influenced by forward pressure will create a malfunction that is easily remedied by using tap and tug and keeping your magazine clear of the ground and other obstacles. Reach through the magazine well to push a finger (or a tool) against the bolt face. In fact, you can actually torque the handle out of shape. Stubbed rounds are no fun. What's really annoying is that it can happen at any time. In fact, the going estimate is that 90 to 95 percent of all stoppages can be resolved with a quick run through of this process. After a difficult episode with a piece of damaged ammunition, be sure to check for safe function of your firearm before resuming operation. The handle and bolt catch are used together to manually lock the bolt open. One new winner* is announced every week! If you guys know what probably happened or . Once the handle has reached full extension, allow it to strip from your hand: Release it as you would a bowstring, allowing the bolt group to snap forward under full spring pressure. I think you need to read up on how an AR works. When a failure to extract occurs, the bolt and bolt carrier may short stroke, or they may return completely rearward. Before you go any further, simply be sure that your magazine is loaded properly and solidly seated. What happens when youve got a tightly loaded 30-round mag is that when the buffer spring isnt strong enough to push the round all the way into the chamber and you end up with a round halfway out of the mag. I have the exact same problem. If the indentation in the primer appears to be of normal depth, the round is defective and should be disposed of safely. For more info about charging handles check out: What Is an AR-15 Charging Handle? A right-handed shooter releases the bolt by pressing with the thumb of the left hand. The first steps are always to use a process of elimination: Doing those types of steps can help you pinpoint the problem part or parts. The AR style rifles have been a go-to for shooting enthusiasts for decades now. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. When the handle is warped, it will grind against the other metal pieces of the rifle and create friction. Once the rifle is secure, look into the barrel to see if the bullet is lodged inside. Moral of the story: failure to extract can be serious business and should be treated accordingly. The side charging handle can charge a weapon and eject spent casings the same way a traditional charging handle can. G43X And G48: Solidifying The Glock 9mm Slimline Series, Best AR-15 Accessories And Upgrades (2023). I just finished building my first AR-15. You might squeeze the trigger and find it gives only a little and feels mushy or it might give a click while nothing else happens. I'm having the same issue with my new SA kit. A charging handle on an AR-15 charges or loads the weapon. Lock the BCG to the rear of the action and change the safety selector to safe. When one of these things occurs, what youre experiencing is a stoppage of your AR system. Good quality AR-15 parts will save you a lot of trouble. Tape the casing with the cleaning rod to chase it back out of the chamber. If you have ever failed to chamber the first round and pulled the trigger with no results, you have experienced a stoppage caused by human error. If you have a collapsible type stock, then check to see that the stock is in proper alignment, as some of the collapsible type stocks (M4, CAR, etc) have a flat spot on the top front area that the charging handle needs to go over as you manually cycle the action. AR Basics: Mastering The Nuances of Charging Handle And Bolt Release. Can You Use an AR-15 Charging Handle In an AR-9? Which Ones Are. When the takedown pin is pulled, the upper and lower fit together tighter and the changing handle and bolt can be pulled back. There are two causes of failure to fire that are at fault in the vast majority of this category of malfunction: Either the ammunition itself is defective or the firing pin has not struck the primer hard enough to trigger the initial explosion that ignites the powder inside the casing. There are easy fixes for your charging handle issues, as long as you know what you are dealing with. The proper use of gas operated weapons like the AR-15 is a bit more complicated than that of your average hunting rifle or handgun. Weak or Broken Extractor Spring replace spring that is no longer serviceable. 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. You need to be sure you are using enough force to properly seat the magazine without being so rough that you dislodge ammunition. 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. The standard mil-spec charging handle can be easily found in most gun stores and online. The charging handle is only operated manually. There are a lot questions surrounding the charging handle that I am going to answer here. Thats almost certain to cause the kind of injury that could end your shooting career. ATTN: Here is the link to a new higher quality and more informative video I made showing this technique and explaining what I think causes it, and how to kee. AR-15s are dependable, and if there is a charging handle problem, it is significant. McKee can be reached at www.shootrite.org. I'm outted. But it can also make the user more efficient when loading, unloading, or charging the firearm. 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. The Tap, Rack, and Reassess cycle will resolve a great many AR-15 stoppages. If the malfunction recurs, you will need to complete troubleshooting and address the problem. The handle is right on the surface of the rifle and easily removed once the upper is opened. 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. It may take the patience of a saint, more than a few choice words, and smithing tools to extract an ornery piece of brass. Privacy Policy. However, it can be a bit tricky if you arent aware of the l process. So I guess the SA Carrier is out of spec. Hi my name is Neckbone and I started this site because I love firearms and shooting sports. Hi my name is Neckbone and I started this site because I love firearms and shooting sports. The most common reason an AR-15 has trouble pulling back is because the charging handle is warped. Receive exclusive deals, new product announcements and need to know information. Just finished my build and no ammo through it as of yet. However, you dont use the handle to perform an empty reload; for that, you use the bolt catch as a release. Be calm and work the problem. Then, using the elbow (not the shoulder), cycle the handle aggressively, pulling it straight to the rear. 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. A malfunction is a failure of the mechanical, or working parts of the AR system or a failure of the ammunition itself. When the charging handle is released the bolt strips a round from the magazine and loads it into the chamber. There are several common categories of malfunction. The top of the AR-9 bolt carrier is built to mimic a standard AR-15 with a mounted gas key for the charging handle to grab onto. There is a school of thought that believes the proper loading of a magazine is an art of sorts. "Rack" pull the charging handle of your AR-15 back swiftly with ample force and release it . Drop-in replacement springs are often of a lot better quality than most springs that are original equipment in many builds. The bolt carrier doesnt slide as smoothly as it should. Scan this QR code to download the app now. 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. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. After cycling the handle with the support hand, its repositioned on the handguard. Warping is the most severe problem you can have with a charging handle. The steps to remove the coating from a charging handle are: If theres too much paint on the charging handle, you will know by the fact it is hard to charge, and if it does, it wont return the bolt to battery. DO NOT try immediate action. Fouled or Corroded Chamber Inspect and clean, then determine if the chamber is damaged or safe to return to service. Just remember that you might not always be firing your AR, so you must know how to work with a military-type handle. 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. The charging handle and bolt catch are critical components of the AR. A place for responsible gun owners and enthusiasts to talk about guns without the politics. For personal defense weapons, an upgraded charging handle may be considered a peace of mind upgrade. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The charging handle will return to its forward position if the bolt carrier is not locked to the rear. 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. As the charging handle is pulled to the rear, so is the bolt carrier. After looking at the most common stoppages and malfunctions of the AR-15, you really need to take away two things: The AR-15 functions best when kept clean and lubricated, dont neglect basic rifle hygiene! When there are significant issues with your gun, it can be like a punch in the gut. How to Fix Common AR-15 Malfunctions and Stoppages - Wing Tactical When the handle doesnt go back, the firearm will not function, and there could be structural issues inside the rifle. Dont sweat it! This site will have something for everybody! Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. You may have heard stories of AR-15 jamming, failure to feed, and short stroke and wonder what causes them. The latch and spring simply keep the charging handle locked to the upper receiver while the weapon is being used. Hitting the bolt release is the most efficient and ergonomic way to chamber a round during an empty reload. 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. 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. 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. I teach left-handed shooters to use the first two fingers of the support hand (think snake fangs) on the left and right side of the handle, with the thumb centered in the back. A charging handle is important for making a firearm easier to use, adding better grip, and making a rifle ambidextrous. It occurs when a round fails to load into the chamber of an AR from the magazine. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Hey guys, decided to build out my upper and lower, finally got everything put together, looks great, followed instructions, only fired a detent across the room once, but my charging handle will not pull back if the hammer is forward. The new mag is inserted and locked in with the left hand, so the thumb is already there and ready to release the bolt. The double-feed is only made worse by the fact that your buffer spring is keeping pressure on the problem. I use either Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, or Optics Planet to buy parts, that way I always know what Im getting and that it will actually show up. Yes, prevention is the key to this one. Stopping Power and Caliber. Assuming youve already attempted the immediate action routine and youre up against some resistance youll need to do the following: While that sounds simple enough, you need to understand that sometimes these things are really stuck in there. Take time to inspect the charging handle and the bolt carrier group to look for scuff marks or indentions where the handle might be scrubbing. 2) You pulled the charging handle rearward while there is an empty mag inserted in the weapon. First, lets look at what makes up a charging handle. Incorrect technique could also break the latch, allowing the charging handle to follow the bolt back, thereby impacting your head. Simply said, before firing, be sure that there is still a reason to do so and that it is still safe to fire. Failure to Feed. 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. These are malfunctions of your AR system. Youre now ready to fire. Other common reasons include the weapon being dirty, charging handle coating, and after market parts. Reassess This replaces the Bang part of the cycle many veterans were taught. Smooth and easy just like it did in my 6.8. By removing some of the coatings or paint, you can free up space for the charging handle to move freely in its track. This friction could be the cause of your pulling issues. To get an upgrade over the standard charging handle I suggest the Strike Extended Latch Charging Handle Found Here because it only costs a little more than a standard charging handle but adds the convenience of an extended latch. Attempt immediate action, discover that charging handle wont move, and identify brass over bolt condition. 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. 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. 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. I have seen such cases and the issue has been the bolt or a slightly bent charging handle if you are clearing the lower flat top. The strong hand comes off the grip to the charging handle. In fact, youve got something akin to a log jam happening in your receiver. Improper technique of the charging handle creates friction and wear, and it requires more force than necessary. Either of which will inevitably cause AR-15 jamming. Many new AR owners are able to get the bolt carrier and charging handle removed, but then get stuck trying to reassemble. If the stock is rotated out of alignment, then the charging handle can bind up at the front top of the stock. 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. The brass was extracted properly, but did not eject and is pinned in the ejection port by the bolt face. While this may work, you still wont have a round chambered and ready to fire. I've tried different triggers and no go. [ARCHIVED THREAD] - Charging Handle not Returning, TF 9 3663 Rifle 5.56MM, XM16E1 Operation and Cycle of Functioning. On the next cycle, a live round may be fed and forced into the base of the case that was left behind. The article originally appeared in the May 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. The fix for this is the same as the magazine-bred double-feed. Remove the excess coating with a grinder, and be sure to remove only the amount needed to make the handle function properly. It sounds simple, right? AR-15s are dependable, and if there is a charging handle . When the handle doesnt pull back because of too much coating, there could be less work than you think. And, as it is with any piece of precision machinery, its up to you to learn it well. 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? Once youve taken the pressure off the stuck round(s) youll need to rip out your magazine. 3) You fired all of the ammunition and the bolt catch / bolt release mechanism engaged automatically once your . There are parts out there, and all it will take to get them is a little more time and effort. 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. Take hold of the charging handle and move finger from the bolt. Here, again, the strong hand is used to pull back on the charging handle, while the support hand is positioned at the magwell of the lower receiver. So why wont the charging handle on my AR-15 pull back? The charging handle not pulling back on your rifle could signify significant problems on the inside. The best overall charging handle that Ive had the pleasure of using is the Geissele Super Charging Handle Found Here because of its ease of use and quality of build. In regards to lubing and/or oiling the different parts, I went by the YouTube video that MidwayUSA put together on both the upper and the lower. 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. Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited. TNVC/NGI Giveaway: 15 winners with over $7000 worth of prizes!! A failure to feed is a malfunction that can happen as you initially load your rifle or during a firing cycle. Bump the rifle butt stock on a firm surface to dislodge the remaining round. Place a cleaning rod in the barrel from the muzzle end. 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. Theres three things that can happen when the charging handle is released. This malfunction can be difficult to resolve. There is an empty mag installed (PMAG Gen 3 5.56). I did swap that entire BCG with another SA BCG on another AR. Strong springs, components with quality finishes and parts that fit properly are essential for trouble free operation of the AR-15 weapon system. Failure to Feed (FTF) Failure to feed (FTF) is one of the most common malfunctions you'll encounter as a gun owner. Short Recoil see the section above on short stroke due to dirt, debris, and fouling. Will call SA customer service on Monday. From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
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