ar15 charging handle issues

[2strokemustang]

I just received my upper, charging handle, and BCG from primary arms.com today and went to try it out on my lower. It feels as if something is catching on the (whatever it is called that holds your buffer tube in, the pin that pops up). after you break that tension it seems to go a bit more easy. This is my first AR so I don't know if this is an issue or normal for an AR.

[Donk310]

As long as it holds your buffer and buffer spring in, you're good.

[CoopsDad]

Do you mean when you pull back on the charging handle, there's a stiffness right at first until it pops free and can be retracted fully? That's normal. It has a catch to keep the thing from moving about when you're not charging the gun.

Or do you mean when you pull the rear takedown pin and go to break the upper forward. That's normal too.

[CandG]

I'm confused, your charging handle is catching on your buffer retainer?

This is the buffer retainer:



And this is the charging handle:



The two parts shouldn't be interacting at all

[Clairvaux]

https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5184291#post5184291

Cool diagrams!

[FeuerFrei]

Methinks the hammer spring is doing what it's supposed to do.

Sent using a long string and 2 Dixie cups

[NIKSD]

When you start pulling back the charging handle, the bolt carrier group will slightly push down on the face of the hammer forcing it down. At this time You will fill resistance on the charging handle. Once the hammer is pushed down, resistance will subside and charging handle and bolt carrier group will go backwards easier. This is all normal. It is nor your buffer spring catching on the buffer retaining pin. You are good to go.

[CandG]

When you start pulling back the charging handle, the bolt carrier group will slightly push down on the face of the hammer forcing it down. At this time You will fill resistance on the charging handle. Once the hammer is pushed down, resistance will subside and charging handle and bolt carrier group will go backwards easier. This is all normal. It is nor your buffer spring catching on the buffer retaining pin. You are good to go.

Thanks for that explanation - your answer also helped me understand the OP's question... he was thinking that the BCG was getting hung up on the buffer retainer, which makes a lot more sense than the charging handle getting hung up on it

And I believe you are correct in your assessment as well.

[NIKSD]

Thanks for that explanation - your answer also helped me understand the OP's question... he was thinking that the BCG was getting hung up on the buffer retainer, which makes a lot more sense than the charging handle getting hung up on it

And I believe you are correct in your assessment as well.

That is because I am fairly new to the AR platform, and English is not my first or second language LOL! /born and raised in Bulgaria/.
The AK platform has same "hung up" feeling, for the same reason- first time I pulled the charging handle on an AR, I immediately knew why it runs that way.

OP, take a class or two, you will like it, and will learn a lot just in a day.