FTE, what' the problem/cure

[zombiescanlearn]

I recently put together an AR. The parts were brought from various vendors here on Calguns. Everything fits fine and looks great but it consistently has issue with FTE.

Everything is oiled and cleaned. I've tried reloads from Freedom Munitions, Ventura Munitions and green tips from Federal.

What could be the problem/cure? Thanks.

[joelogic]

Need more info. Parts list? Did you assemble the upper? Buffer?
Fail to extract or eject?

[FMJBT]

Yeah, need more info on the malfunction. Have you checked the usual suspects? (Gas block mis-alignment, gas key loose, gas rings worn or damaged)

[SJgunguy24]

Does the bolt carrier move when you squeeze a round off?

[rix]

Pics of your FTE (eject/extract) would tell us a lot...

[FeuerFrei]

I recently put together an AR. The parts were brought from various vendors here on Calguns. Everything fits fine and looks great but it consistently has issue with FTE.

Everything is oiled and cleaned. I've tried reloads from Freedom Munitions, Ventura Munitions and green tips from Federal.

What could be the problem/cure? Thanks.

Read this post first. Then get back here to tell us what you find out with your rifle.

HERE

[raitheslacker]

For failure to extract check the BCG to see if the extractor spring has enough tension. If you bought budget parts the spring may not be up to par. Also, if you are running a gas piston system you might need a H or H2 buffer to slow the action.

[zombiescanlearn]

Read this post first. Then get back here to tell us what you find out with your rifle.

HERE

Thanks everyone for your responses. I will look at this article and take some pics and get back with you all in a couple of days when I better understand what's going on with my weapon.

Thanks again!

[bwiese]

1. Have you lubricated according to the USGI TM (tech manual)?

Many idjits advocate running ARs dry. They are wrong (esp when new) and haven't read the TM.

Many, many new AR problems are result of poor lube, esp bolt, extrator and ejector.

Take the bolt out of carrier, lube the hell out of it while repeatedly excercising the extractor and ejector many dozens of times with some non-damaging tool (popsicle stick and piece of hard plastic, etc.)


2. Mags can be a problem - especially when held in by a BulletButton. A mag that can't wiggle about a bit in position may cause some
carrier drag/loss of velocity. It also appears this drama is increased with all the little cool kidz that wanna use 10/20 or 10/30 PMagz
instead of regular USGI mags.


3. If your gun has a non-chrome-lined barrel, you bought a cheap-azz gun (or a finicky drama queen 'match' gun) that may well have a rough chamber. Or you may just have crud there. USE THE BOLT CLEANING BRUSH THAT COMES WITH A REAL AR15/M16 CLEANING KIT AND SCRUB THE CHAMBER. Boresnakes only go so far.


4. Check that your 'key' ont the bolt carrier is properly staked and not loose - gas can leak out. Check that there are no gas leaks from the front sight/gas block assy (and that it's properly mounted and no blockage).


5. If you have a 'parts gun' with no-name supplier of little springs, well, that's a big problem - lotsa crap. Go buy a quality spring kit and replace all the little springs. They DO maatter, and many people have been bitten by gunshow 'small parts kits' regardless of whatever Rolex-grade upper they're running.

6. Maybe you're using a carbine action spring in a rifle or vice versa, or a carbine buffer in a rifle, etc. Check that you have t
he right parts here.


Why haven't you downloaded a freee USGI M16 tech manual? They're all over the place and have great troubleshooting info.

[GMG]

This extractor spring kit took care of my FTE's.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-Extractor-Spring-Uprade-Kit-p/bcm%20extractor%20spring%20upgrade.htm

[Hoop]

I bet it's the extractor spring especially if it is stovepiping or double feeding (fired case + live round at the same time).

[sammy]

You didn't grease the buffer tube did you?

[zombiescanlearn]

This extractor spring kit took care of my FTE's.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-E...%20upgrade.htm

I think this is the problem. It's not extracting the spent case so after it fires it's still in the chamber. I end up having a spent case and a live round in the chamber. I'll try this fix first.

Thanks everyone!

[problemchild]

I think this is the problem. It's not extracting the spent case so after it fires it's still in the chamber. I end up having a spent case and a live round in the chamber. I'll try this fix first.

Thanks everyone!

There might also be some issue with the chamber. Look very close inside the chamber and see if it is rough or contaminated with any crud. But if its not pulling the brass out of the chamber it could be one of 3 things.

NO/not enough gas pressure=blocked gas port at front gas block
Bad chamber=visual inspection
Bad extractor or spring=replace

[walmart_ar15]

Rifle or pistol?

Over gased can also cause this. Your BCG moves too early, before chamber pressure drops sufficiently. Case are still pressed against the chamber wall, and the extractor slips off the case rim. It is what "timing" is referring to.

Heavier buffer, recoil spring, and extra strong extractor spring will help solve (patch) this problem. They provide the "delay" required for the chamber pressure to drop, and more forcefully drag the case out. Typical issue with pistol builds. This can also be a problem with after-mkt barrels with wrong gas port size for the barrel length/gas system combination.