bolt catch question???

[fallfornoone]

Took my first build out yesterday, had a great time and nothing fell apart.
i did notice that after the last round is fired the bolt catch does not engage, but if i pull the charging handle back then the bolt catch will engage and the chamber will be open. i was assuming that the bolt and bolt catch would act similar to that of a pistol. like when the last shot is fired the slide is open.

is there somthing wrong with my gun or is that the normal operation.

thanks

[RollingDonut]

I had the same issue with my 10/30 PMAGs. Started using C-Products 10 rounders and the problem went away. Apparently my magazine followers did not reach the lever on the last round (might have been from the rebuild kits). I'm not sure why yours activates when you pull the charging handle though.

Here's the pic of my lower and why the lever won't activate.



*edit. I agree with checking your ammo as Blacktail has suggested

[fallfornoone]

bump for additional thoughts and info

[Blacktail 8541]

Is this a home built upper? Useally the reason for short strokeing is a mis aligned gas block or weak ammo.

[yasushi]

I agree with the donut, check your mag or switch out with the different mag or swap out the mag follower or spring to see if you still have same issues.

[fallfornoone]

Is this a home built upper? Useally the reason for short strokeing is a mis aligned gas block or weak ammo.

no i bought this upper from rifle gear. since u mentioned gas block, do you mean you think there is somthing wrong with the gas tube. when i was first checking out this gun i did get a bullet jammed up by the gas tube. i wonder if that messed it up.

whats weird is that the bolt will lock if i pull the charging handle. so it makes me think that its the gun and not the mag. hopfully it is a mag though that will be an easy fix, next time i shoot ill try some new mags.

[Blacktail 8541]

If the bolt locks to the rear with a mag inserted, that mag is fine. Short strokeing means not enough gas is getting to the carrier to exert enough force to operate the action properly.
If the end of the gas tube inside the reciever is not smashed partly closed that is not the problem. I was refering to the alignment of the gas block.

You did not state the type of ammo being used. Radway green is one example of underpowered ammo.

[fallfornoone]

oh sorry. i am using factory reloads from the gun show, i bought them from miwall corp

[Blacktail 8541]

I have not used Miwall, but I have read that they are on the light side. Maybe someone with direct experience with that ammo will chime in.

In the meantime I would buy some factory ammo and try that to see if the problem persist.

[Darklyte27]

lube the bolt catch so it moves up easier?

[ar15barrels]

Short stroke test:
Load 1 round in the magazine.
Insert the magazine in the rifle and charge the rifle.
Fire the round.
Observe where the bolt ends up.
It can stop in several positions: locked back with the bolt catch in front of the bolt, locked back with the bolt catch in front of the carrier or not locked back at all.
Do this test 10 times.

If it won't lock back every time, it's most likely short stroking.
This can be from improper assembly, improper ammo or improper lubrication.
It can also happen on a new gun that's just not broken-in yet.
More lubrication will usually fix new guns.