What is my problem?

[kgelhaus]

I just put my mega gator lower under my colt upper. I went to fire it this morning and I had to inject each bullet into the chamber with the pull in the back and then use the side button to make sure the deal was all the way forward. What is my problem here? I wondered if it was the magazine. I used some brass bullets 50 grain .223. If you have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them. Thank you.

[wildcard]

Why did you have to single load? Did it not load a round after you fired the first one? Or did it jam? Or did the bolt lock open as if the mag is empty?

Try using a different load.. your current load may be underpowered. And if that ain't it, it's possible that your gas key or tube may be loose.. so check those.

Also, if you're having to use to forward assist, either your loads are not in spec (likely if they're reloads) or you're not letting go of the charging handle properly. Pull it back and just let it go.. don't ride it down.

[ohsmily]

I just put my mega gator lower under my colt upper. I went to fire it this morning and I had to inject each bullet into the chamber with the pull in the back and then use the side button to make sure the deal was all the way forward. What is my problem here? I wondered if it was the magazine. I used some brass bullets 50 grain .223. If you have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them. Thank you.

First problem is learning the terminology of the parts on your rifle and what is shot out of it. "charging handle" "foward assist" "chamber" "bolt" "ammunition/rounds" etc.

Second, it sounds like you have a magazine that may be out of spec and is dragging on the bolt. Or, perhaps you don't have the right buffer spring in your receiver extension (buffer tube) or maybe you don't have one at all (it doesn't seem you are familiar with the rifle so it is possible). Perhaps you didn't assemble the FCG (fire control group) properly and the bolt is dragging on the hammer. There are a number of things that could be wrong.

Tell us more about your setup...did YOU build this rifle? is it a fixed mag? featureless? what type of stock are you running? what ammunition (no, they are not "brass bullets", they are brass cases with (likely) copper jacketed lead bullets (FJM)). What brand was the ammunition; were they reloads?)

Tell us more about the malfunction. Does the fired round eject? etc.

[5968]

Look at this link: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=4&t=226782
It would help us if we knew what you were talking about. I am sure with all the people in this forum, we can get your problem/s fixed.

[J_Rock]

Maybe this will help

I just put my mega gator lower under my colt upper. I went to fire it this morning and I had to manually cycle each bullet into the chamber with the charging handle and then use the forward assist to make sure the deal was all the way forward. What is my problem here? I wondered if it was the magazine. I used some FMJ? 50 grain .223. If you have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them. Thank you.

If the gun is firing but does not cycle it could be the buffer causing your gun to short stroke, or your gas block or gas tube is leaving your gun under gassed to cycle another round. Then again its hard to tell with the details at hand.

[bwiese]

Before investigating further, it should be lubed properly w/CLP.

Most people run ARs way too dry.

[frigginchi]

I've seen the buffer installed before the recoil spring do this

[J_Rock]

Before investigating further, it should be lubed properly w/CLP.

Most people run ARs way too dry.

I dont think thats it, an AR should be able to run awhile without lube, esp. a colt.

[rkt88edmo]

Froim the description it sounds like the rifle was cycling and ejecting, but not picking up a fresh round out of the magazine?

[kgelhaus]

Thank you for all your help. The bullets are not chambering at all. Out of the 10 rounds maybe only one or two go by themselves but I still need the forward button on the right to go forward about 1/4 inch. I am going to buy some different ammo and try to shoot tonight. How do I tighten the buffer or gas like someone mentioned? Do I need tools? Thank you for all the responses. I will read the articles you sent when I get out of work. Kelly Gelhaus

[ohsmily]

Thank you for all your help. The bullets are not chambering at all. Out of the 10 rounds maybe only one or two go by themselves but I still need the forward button on the right to go forward about 1/4 inch. I am going to buy some different ammo and try to shoot tonight. How do I tighten the buffer or gas like someone mentioned? Do I need tools? Thank you for all the responses. I will read the articles you sent when I get out of work. Kelly Gelhaus

Based on your initial post and the above response, I don't think you are familiar enough with the platform to troubleshoot it. Ask a friend who is more experienced or take it to a gunsmith. You scare me when you say things like "how do I tighten the buffer or gas." If you REALLY want to do it yourself, look online (probably on arf.com) and look at a diagram of all the parts on the gun, and then go through the assembly process so that you can ensure that you did it correctly.

P.S. They are rounds/ammo/or cartridges (if you must), not just 'bullets.' Bullets are the pointy part on the front that shoot out (the projectile).

[tophatjones]

+1 to what ohsmiley said. Make sure you read up on info for the rifle, and if you still need help resolving the issue, take it to a gunsmith. Just a warning, if you don't really know what you're doing, don't force anything. Just take a step back and breathe, then read up or get professional help. I'd hate to hear about an explosion

Btw, I'm assuming you're using factory manufactured ammunition?

[J_Rock]

You shouldnt be using the forward assist(the button the right side) at this point. If you have to force the bolt to chamber a round everytime you run the risk of a kaboom.

[pklin1297]

I'd have to agree with what bwiese suggested, if this Colt upper is fairly new, and if you are shooting it with very little oil inside.
My very first Mega upper and lower build behaved the same way and I was sure it was short-stroking and I was prepared to rebuild the gun over again when I read about drenching the inside of the upper receiver and bolt carrier with CLP and run it that way before doing anything else. My AR has been running for almost 800 rounds without another hiccup since the first range trip.
Same thing happened with a friend of mine's dissapator upper and again, the lube method worked.
Try spraying the inside of the upper receiver and your bolt carrier down with CLP the next time you are out and before you shoot. For the first time, spray until dripping... If it doesn't work then pursuit other resolutions. If it does make it cycle fine, then keep shooting the rest of the session (wipe off some excess on the outside first), clean it afterwards, then the next time you won't have to use as much CLP.

[kgelhaus]

Thank you again everyone. I will lube it next time and I have an experienced AR friend coming out to CA next week and he says no problem. He thinks it is the Mag. I will repost to let anyone who wonders what the deal was and not is!!