(Update: Fixed) HELP-BCG Stuck Inside Buffer Tube

[j_bauer]

It happened after I switched uppers and lowers. I pulled the CH, and there it went. It's stuck to a point where the upper won't separate from the lower. My plan is to remove the tube (carbine) and fix it from the rear. Is that the only way to go? Thanks in advance...

[Dark Sky Solutions]

Sounds like it to me. You might have some problems getting the tube of since there is tension from the bcg puching back on the tube. Good luck and post up some pics.

[sleepercar]

Ultimately, yes. I've seen some folks protect the muzzle end and give it a couple good thuds on the ground to see if it would dislodge. But I would just go for the rear. (That's what she said.)

[ptoguy2002]

Ultimately, yes. I've seen some folks protect the muzzle end and give it a couple good thuds on the ground to see if it would dislodge. But I would just go for the rear. (That's what she said.)

Drop the buttstock end onto the ground to jar it a bit and see if it will close up. Be careful when you remove the tube as it is under lots of spring tension, also the buffer retainer pin will no longer be held in place by the tube, which means it will pop out into the carrier.

[wash]

First make sure your gun is empty.

Take something soft like rubber hose and put it through the ejection port to give the bolt a soft landing when it becomes disloged, then do a reverse pogo: charging handle forward smack the muzzle hard on the ground (with some padding to protect the muzzle device).

The inertia of the bolt and carrier should dislodge them when the rifle around them suddenly stops.

Disassembling from the back is probably not wise because it may wreck the buffer tube detent hole. Use that as a last option.

If the reverse pogo doesn't work after several tries, try popping out the takedown pins and wiggling the upper, that might get things moving.

Just make sure the takedown pins are in when you do the reverse pogo.

[G-forceJunkie]

Did you build the lower? The only time I have seen this happen is when the buffer retainer pin and spring pops out because the carbine buffer tube was installed 1 turn too loose. You need to remove the buffer to free up the works, its the only way. The spring is probably bent up enough that it needs to be replaced. The buffer is not actually stuck in the buffer tube, its the BCG bound up on the lower and hammer with the pin and spring wedged up in there.

[Don Edmondson]

Remove the stock charge the buffer vent hole with air pressure works for me with no damage use low pressure Don

[j_bauer]

Fixed the problem!

After reading your replies, I pulled the rifle out of the safe, and as I was doing that, I noticed two familiar looking parts on the other shelf. The buffer and the buffer spring!!! I installed the upper to the lower with an empty tube. I've been tinkering with guns for a long time, but this is the first time this stupid thing happened to me. Fast forward, I was able to move the BCG forward by sticking a tiny screw driver through the small clearance between the lower and the upper, and gently pushing the serrated side of the BCG forward.

Thank you for all your replies.

[TripHopFreak]

I know this is an old thread but I'll add my .02 now, as something very similar just happened to me (albeit a different reason):

I had just finished installing a sling mount to my stock. When removing the buttstock and buffer tube, i didnt disconnect my upper from my lower. Im thinking now, that i should have in order to prevent what followed. I reconnected my buttstock to my lower without checking the detent. I had only really paid attention to my takedown spring, so as not to bend it or lose it. Once i tightened the nut (as tight as i could), i racked the CH a couple times. It felt normal and sounded normal. I went to separate my upper and lower earlier today, to find they wouldnt come apart. Much to my distress...the same problem. The detent was up in my BCG. But i couldnt depress it at first. I kept trying to push it down and finally it went. When i removed it, it was beaten to hell (from the bcg?) and no longer round enough to fit comfortably in the detent hole. So umm, i bought another one. I couldnt hammer that thing back no matter how hard i try. Im just thankful i caught the error before i took it to the range :/ thinking that couldve went pretty bad. Either way, im only guessing of what i shouldve done to prevent the issue, and posting this just in case another noob (like me) has the same problem. Any new advice is welcome, of course

[slo5oh]

I did it once too. As said above, remove the buffer tube to clear jam, then reassemble correctly.

[wash]

I don't know why this came up again but I saw a symptom of this when deciding between a Spikes Tactical pistol buffer tube and a PWS enhanced pistol buffer tube.

The carrier (Adams Arms 1 piece gas piston style) got stuck in the Spikes tube when pulled all the way back. The solution was to loosen my castle nut and wiggle the tube.

I think the castle nut end wasn't square to the buffer tube threads so everything cocked a bit when it was tightened.

That is a way to un-jam a bolt carrier.

If you try to remove your buffer tube from the back, you will mangle your buffer retainer and possibly oval out the buffer retainer hole in your lower.

Please try to give advise that won't end with a broken rifle.

In my case, when I installed the PWS buffer tube, the jamming went away so that's the tube on my pistol.