help me diagnose my AR problem

[icallshotgun88]

I've been having an issue with my AR not firing rounds pretty consistently. This happens every 5-20 rounds or so.

it will shoot, then completely cycle and chamber a new round. The bolt will completely return into battery and I am able to pull the trigger again, but the round doesn't fire.
When I remove the unfired bullet and I can clearly see that the firing pin has struck the primer and left a mark, but the round does not go off.

At first I thought it was a problem with a bad batch of ammo having a few bad primers, but it has now happened with various brands of ammunition and many different magazines.

I am thinking the issue is caused by something preventing the firing pin to not strike the primer hard enough, even though it is hitting it hard enough to make a dent/mark on the primer (but round is not firing)

is the trigger too weak and not hitting the firing pin hard enough?

HELP ME


if it is any help, I am using a spikes lower, a spikes mil spec lower parts kit and a bravo company upper and bravo company bolt carrier. I also clean all of my firearms after every trip to the range, so I know it is not an issue of it needing to be cleaned or lubed.
I have used all types of ammo. from cheap target ammo to match grade ammo and it has happened with about 6 different brands of ammo.

I'm lost.

I'm thinking its a problem with the trigger but I don't want to drop money on a new one if it isn't the cause of the problem

THANK YOU!

[crosseyedshooter]

Did you check that your hammer spring is in the proper orientation and you're getting full power on the hammer strikes?

[nate76239]

^^ same as above check hammer spring , I would suggest check the trigger and disconnector springs also

[RaiderNation]

Did you check that your hammer spring is in the proper orientation and you're getting full power on the hammer strikes?

Yup that would be my first place to look. OP take the Hammer out and make sure you installed the spring correctly. Also may help to take a few pictures and post them. If your trigger is out of spec PM your address and I will send you an extra one I have.

[Oceanbob]

You assembled (or someone else) the two springs that power the hammer wrong. Get on YouTube and you will see. Easy fix.

Bob

[skyungjae]

I have had some brand new firing pins out of spec. If you have more than one AR, you can compare the two with the bolt out of the carrier to see how far they stick out.

Or you can pick up one of these at Brownells:



More than likely, it's the spring though.

[DarkHorse]

Left is wrong
Right is correct

Think about how springs work and it makes sense.

[baih777]

My vote. All the above. Hammer spring.

[StuckInTheP.R.O.Ca]

Had the same problem with a PSA lower parts kit installed. I replaced the hammer spring. No more problems.

[bnate]

Also, to add to what others stated....I had a buddy that bought a new AR and the firing pin was striking but not hard enough, thus he was able to get .223 rounds to fire off but 5.56 would not. 5.56 needs a hard/definitive strike on primer to fire.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Crap, I came in to tell you the same thing everybody above me already said.

[Outonthegrind]

Hammer spring probably needs replacing;

[Cody]

Check the shoulder thing that goes up. It's either that or the hammer spring.

[SB1964]

I think it's the timing...that or the points, lol.

[Fifty226]

Yup that would be my first place to look. OP take the Hammer out and make sure you installed the spring correctly. Also may help to take a few pictures and post them. If your trigger is out of spec PM your address and I will send you an extra one I have.

You sir are a cool calgunner