New AR Build: Hard to Pull CH

[TacoTuesdays]

I apologize in advance if this is a common question. I didn't find anything specific when I did a search.

I built my first AR last night. When I pull the charging handle it hangs up and is hard to pull. I disassembled the BCG and test fit the lugs of the bolt in the barrel extension and it fits fine. The disassembled carrier slides through the upper just fine and engages with the gas tube with no issues. However, when it's all assembled and engaged it's tough to pull back. It comes out just to the point that the ejection port door opens, then stalls, and I have to really yank on it.

I tried another BCG from a new-ish upper that has a few test rounds through it and it works perfectly. I have another brand new BCG though and it's even worse.

When I tightend down the barrel nut it was probably up close to 80ft/lbs, but didn't go over. The gas tube alignment tool slid in and out perfectly.

I tested it with a go and no-go gauge and the head space seems fine, but the No Go gauge kept getting stuck, I had removed the FP and Extractor, but even when I gently let the BCG forward it would jam tight.

I'm thinking that this is just an issue with new parts that need to be broken in, but again, it's my first build and I'm not well versed enough to know if I should be concerned or not.

I'd appreciate any input. I'll probably have someone look it over but I'm very curious if anything seems to stand out to anyone.

Thanks

[a308garand]

How does the charging handle fit into the upper receiver? Is the charging handle straight or get bent? Do the "ears" of the charging handle have serious drag marks on them, maybe too large for your upper receiver? Remove the bolt carrier and stuff, just try the charging handle all by itself.

If the charging handle binds, the upper or the handle is not machined just right. Easy to lightly file the wear marks seen on the charging handle to get it to fit.

If not the charging handle, look at the buffer. Is the roll pin (at the rear) sticking out too far and catching on the action spring? If so, lightly file the roll pin flush with the body of the buffer.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Yeah, it's busted! You'll never get it to work right. You should just give it to me and I'll take care if it.

[Varg Vikernes]

Yeah, it's busted! You'll never get it to work right. You should just give it to me and I'll take care if it.

Man this bad joke just does not die in gun communities.

[ar15barrels]

I apologize in advance if this is a common question. I didn't find anything specific when I did a search.

I built my first AR last night. When I pull the charging handle it hangs up and is hard to pull. I disassembled the BCG and test fit the lugs of the bolt in the barrel extension and it fits fine. The disassembled carrier slides through the upper just fine and engages with the gas tube with no issues. However, when it's all assembled and engaged it's tough to pull back. It comes out just to the point that the ejection port door opens, then stalls, and I have to really yank on it.

I tried another BCG from a new-ish upper that has a few test rounds through it and it works perfectly. I have another brand new BCG though and it's even worse.

When I tightend down the barrel nut it was probably up close to 80ft/lbs, but didn't go over. The gas tube alignment tool slid in and out perfectly.

I tested it with a go and no-go gauge and the head space seems fine, but the No Go gauge kept getting stuck, I had removed the FP and Extractor, but even when I gently let the BCG forward it would jam tight.

I'm thinking that this is just an issue with new parts that need to be broken in, but again, it's my first build and I'm not well versed enough to know if I should be concerned or not.

I'd appreciate any input. I'll probably have someone look it over but I'm very curious if anything seems to stand out to anyone.

Thanks

The AR is a gas operated rifle, not a slide action rifle.
Go shoot it a few hundred rounds and it will loosen up.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Man this bad joke just does not die in gun communities.

That's because everybody that posts it still has hope that someday, someone will say "yes, you take it!"

Except me, I still just think its funny!

[monk]

Did you put lube on the bcg? Stupid question, I know, but gotta ask.

[TacoTuesdays]

Thanks for the input everyone.

The CH is good. Nothing seems to be binding. I did coat the channels on the BCG with CLP, not a dumb question at all!

I'll check the buffer detent pin. I suspect I'm just being paranoid. I'll fire a few rounds and see how it goes. I'll fire a few hundred when I win the lottery...

[mike_the_wino]

Man this bad joke just does not die in gun communities.

It's not just gun communities.

[jfifer]

You never know
here, take it. Your problem- not mine anymore


We can dream, right?


To stay on track, have you tried dykem on the CH to check binding spots?

[sonnyt650]

So the bolt carrier slides into the buffer tube (don't ever put an AR together without the buffer/action spring), as you're tugging on the charging handle you're pulling just the top of the carrier and sort of tilting the bolt carrier. This was supposedly a drawback of the earliest piston conversions that merely replaced the gas key on the bolt carrier, I'd guess it's not a bunch of crap after all. Check your buffer tube for wear, in photos I've seen the bottom of the tube was all scraped up.