Before you go any further, simply be sure that your magazine is loaded properly and solidly seated. Once the rifle is secure, look into the barrel to see if the bullet is lodged inside. I teach left-handed shooters to use the first two fingers of the support hand (think snake fangs) on the left and right side of the handle, with the thumb centered in the back. 1. When you pull back on the charging handle, it hooks over the gas key on the bolt carrier, a little staked down piece on top of the bolt carrier that the gas tube settles into. If In doubt, rip it out and replace it with another fresh magazine. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. Common Causes and What Can be Done to Prevent It, Why a Glock Will Stovepipe: Failure to Eject Issues Resolved, Which Revolver Is Most Powerful? Dirt, debris, and soot are an invitation for failure to feed malfunctions. Charging handle would not pull back. If it is: There are several causes that may be identified for extraction failures: The end of cycle malfunction. Moral of the story, clean, properly maintained rifles rarely short cycle. Pull the charging handle all the way to the rear and release it every time. Failure to Feed. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win. i swapped the bolt for a Spike Tactical BCG and the rifle cycles fine with the upper closed and pinned. Theyre simple to use as long as you use the correct technique. If it is damaged, the barrel will need to be replaced. Check the function of the magazine spring. Either of which will inevitably cause AR-15 jamming. Right-handed shooters use their snake fangs to grasp the handle; left-handers use the right-hand technique described above. Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited. AR Basics: Mastering The Nuances of Charging Handle And Bolt Release. As a gas operated weapon system, the AR-15, operates best when kept clean and well lubricated. A common cause of failure to chamber is that the bolt carrier group has not moved forward with enough force to complete the operation of feeding/chambering ammunition or to lock the bolt in place. While this may work, you still wont have a round chambered and ready to fire. If the case has broken or ruptured, it is likely to be stuck in the chamber. The brass was extracted properly, but did not eject and is pinned in the ejection port by the bolt face. I worked as a 45B Small Arms Repairer in the Army and since then I've been enjoying the hobby. In regards to the trigger group, I purchased the DPMS LPK and upgraded that trigger by using the JP Enterprises Trigger Spring (yellow), the AR15 Trigger Adjuster, and the KNS Hammer and Trigger Pins Non-Rotate upgrade. Most of the time this malfunction is caused by short stroking (we covered short recoil earlier) or fouling or corrosion of the chamber which cause friction on extraction throwing off extraction and ejection functions. Other common reasons include the weapon being dirty, charging handle coating, and after market parts. Just dont load those big mags clear full. The strong hand comes off the grip to the charging handle. If the stock is rotated out of alignment, then the charging handle can bind up at the front top of the stock. Pull the bolt all the way back and lock it in place. Now, the bolt isnt far enough along to use the forward assist to complete the cycle so what do you do? If you have ever failed to chamber the first round and pulled the trigger with no results, you have experienced a stoppage caused by human error. When the takedown pin is pulled, the upper and lower fit together tighter and the changing handle and bolt can be pulled back. Many basic stoppage situations can be remedied immediately in the field and will not necessarily repeat themselves. McKee can be reached at www.shootrite.org. Many AR owners like to upgrade their firearms and the charging handle is one of the simplest and most cost effective upgrades you can make. I'm outted. I have seen such cases and the issue has been the bolt or a slightly bent charging handle if you are clearing the lower flat top. There is a school of thought that believes the proper loading of a magazine is an art of sorts. To perform this and other tasks efficiently and to prevent wear and tear on your AR its important to implement the proper techniques when using the handle catch/release in tandem, as well as when using them independently. In this case, you might get the first round off, and then the magazine falls away, knocked loose by recoil. The best overall charging handle that Ive had the pleasure of using is the Geissele Super Charging Handle Found Here because of its ease of use and quality of build. These steps might be easier for some if the upper receiver is upside down. Copyright 1996-2023 AR15.COM LLC. I'm having the same issue with my new SA kit. Once the handle has reached full extension, allow it to strip from your hand: Release it as you would a bowstring, allowing the bolt group to snap forward under full spring pressure. Left-handed shooters should use the right hand to feed a fresh mag and their trigger finger to release the bolt. A charging handle on an AR-15 charges or loads the weapon. I then pulled my other SA bolt from my 6.8 and swapped everything over and it worked just fine. 2) You pulled the charging handle rearward while there is an empty mag inserted in the weapon. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Hi my name is Neckbone and I started this site because I love firearms and shooting sports. If the user tries to slide the charging handle forward themselves they may actually slow down the intended operation which can cause a failure to load a round. How To eFile Using ATF eForms: Instructions and Examples, Which Gas Tube Length For AR-15? But, first, remember that when the handle on the rifle does not pull back, you should remove the magazine and any ammunition that might be stuck in the chamber. For more info about charging handles check out: What Is an AR-15 Charging Handle? Yes, prevention is the key to this one. There are plenty of great charging handles available now a days but theres a couple that stand out to me that deserve a mention here. The other ten percent will require the operator to use his or her fingers to clear the brass by sweeping them though the magazine well. Defective rounds can cause a number of different versions of the failure to feed family, but there are two ammunition failures that are more common than the rest. Im having the same issue with my new SA piston kit rifle length on the Falkor Defense Receiver set. Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. Neckbone Armory also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. TNVC/NGI Giveaway: 15 winners with over $7000 worth of prizes!! Obviously this stoppage is a simple one to resolve, other stoppages may be more complicated and have mechanical roots. One of the main components needed in an AR-15 is a charging handle. Try it after you remove the magazine. Since nothings really wrong, well deal with it here, as a simple stoppage. The new mag is inserted and locked in with the left hand, so the thumb is already there and ready to release the bolt. Using pliers or a rubber mallet is your best option if there has been severe damage, do what you need to but be careful not to damage any other pieces. 299 views, 7 likes, 16 loves, 55 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from New Hope Community Church: 4/30/23 Take hold of the charging handle and move finger from the bolt. When the charging handle is released the bolt strips a round from the magazine and loads it into the chamber. I did swap that entire BCG with another SA BCG on another AR. Heres a quick video showing the process, with written steps below: To remove an AR-15 charging handle the upper must be removed from the lower receiver or at least separated by removing the rear takedown pin. I used a flathead screw driver and it worked! Normally, the strong hand maintains its grip on the AR, and the support hand is used to operate the charging handle, which is a three-step process: First, position the thumb of the support hand on the back of the handle in its center. Be calm and work the problem. In either case, a cartridge is left in the chamber. Somehow a piece of spent brass (or for variety and excitement, a live round) becomes lodged above the bolt in forward position and immediate action isnt happening because the charging handle wont budge. The name charging handles comes from the fact that its the handle used to charge or load the rifle. Get 12 Issues a year of the country's best firearms writing. To get an upgrade over the standard charging handle I suggest the Strike Extended Latch Charging Handle Found Here because it only costs a little more than a standard charging handle but adds the convenience of an extended latch. A few reasons why your AR-15 charging handle wont pull back are: The reasons that the charging handle doesnt go back are easy to diagnose and sometimes easier to fix. The only other thing I changed out on the lower was a Norgon Ambi-Mag release and the Ultimate Arms Gear Ambi Safety. For personal defense weapons, an upgraded charging handle may be considered a peace of mind upgrade. Strong springs, components with quality finishes and parts that fit properly are essential for trouble free operation of the AR-15 weapon system. A right-handed shooter releases the bolt by pressing with the thumb of the left hand. There are two causes of failure to fire that are at fault in the vast majority of this category of malfunction: Either the ammunition itself is defective or the firing pin has not struck the primer hard enough to trigger the initial explosion that ignites the powder inside the casing. If you can see that the barrel is obstructed your rifle will need to spend some time on the bench, this isnt a field serviceable malfunction. It may be helpful to compare the primer to that of an empty cartridge that was successfully fired. Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. The bolt carrier is pushing against the charging handle. It occurs when a round fails to load into the chamber of an AR from the magazine. AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types. I've tried different triggers and no go. Youre now ready to fire. Improper technique of the charging handle creates friction and wear, and it requires more force than necessary. Cycling the handle is all about using proper technique, not brute force. By removing some of the coatings or paint, you can free up space for the charging handle to move freely in its track. All you can do for this one is head back to the bench, brake the rifle down, and replace that spring with a quality replacement buffer spring like the one offered in Spikes Tactical AR-15 Buffer Tube Assembly Kit. I see no mention of a stock. The first steps are always to use a process of elimination: Doing those types of steps can help you pinpoint the problem part or parts. However, it can be a bit tricky if you arent aware of the l process. However, side charging upper receivers, bolt carriers, and charging handles arent as common making them generally harder to find a more expensive than traditional charging handles. The remedy will depend on whether the cartridge is actually stuck in the chamber and if another round has been fed. Even more fun than Stubbed rounds, are cartridges that have separated on extraction, ejecting a partial cartridge and leaving the balance in the chamber. Be aware that it isnt currently charging doesnt mean it is broken or you have ruined the rifle. I use either Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, or Optics Planet to buy parts, that way I always know what Im getting and that it will actually show up. Failure to Feed (FTF) Failure to feed (FTF) is one of the most common malfunctions you'll encounter as a gun owner. If an application of lock, rip and rack doesnt work, youll have to dig in the magazine well with your fingers to clear the offending rounds. On examination the operator identifies a bolt over brass malfunction. Attempt immediate action, discover that charging handle wont move, and identify brass over bolt condition. I watched a YouTube Army video and it appeared that the charging handle sprung back. To perform an empty reload when the bolt is locked to the rear, its best to use the bolt catch as a bolt release. The BCG stays back and will not go forward until the bolt catch is depressed, and then the BCG goes forward. I worked as a 45B Small Arms Repairer in the Army and since then I've been enjoying the hobby. Weak or Broken Extractor Spring replace spring that is no longer serviceable. As mentioned earlier, the charging handle is used to check the condition of the chamber. Simply put, a stoppage is any situation where your AR-15 fails to complete a cycle of operation. It's not the charging handle or the stock. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Hi my name is Neckbone and I started this site because I love firearms and shooting sports. Save my name and email to use for future comments. I think you need to read up on how an AR works. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Bump the rifle butt stock on a firm surface to dislodge the remaining round. Thats when it picks up the second round and youve got a beauty of a double-feed on your hands. If there is nothing obviously wrong with the magazine, there are a couple of other problems that are commonly experienced with larger volume magazines. What happens when youve got a tightly loaded 30-round mag is that when the buffer spring isnt strong enough to push the round all the way into the chamber and you end up with a round halfway out of the mag. The charging handle is also used to manually lock the bolt to the rear. Privacy Policy. Stoppages may be caused by simple human error or by mechanical malfunction. In fact, youve got something akin to a log jam happening in your receiver. When the takedown pin is pulled, the upper and lower fit together tighter and the changing handle and bolt can be pulled back. Neckbone Armory also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. An empty magazine is supposed to lock the BCG to the rear. Some ways to protect against buying the wrong charging handle are: After-market parts are a big reason people buy the AR-15 platform. Neckbone Armory is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. There is an empty mag installed (PMAG Gen 3 5.56). The most common reason an AR-15 has trouble pulling back is because the charging handle is warped. The appearance of a stovepipe jam is the source of its moniker. Maybe you need to know how to clear a double feed. Immediate Action: " Tap, Rack, and Reassess ". You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers. The stovepipe jam is simply diagnosed. Stubbed rounds are no fun. Cookie Notice From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm. The handle is right on the surface of the rifle and easily removed once the upper is opened. A place for responsible gun owners and enthusiasts to talk about guns without the politics. Thats almost certain to cause the kind of injury that could end your shooting career. It has many uses and can be tricked out with many after-market pieces that resemble something from a science fiction film. In fact, the going estimate is that 90 to 95 percent of all stoppages can be resolved with a quick run through of this process. Knowing when and how to use the charging handle and bolt catch in harmony is key to operating the AR efficiently. You have entered an incorrect email address! Warping is the most severe problem you can have with a charging handle. The fix for this is the same as the magazine-bred double-feed. Will call SA customer service on Monday. When the takedown pin is engaged it forces the upper and lower a faction apart (i can see the gap on mine) and the charging handle cannot be pulled back because the bolt is hitting the (top of) lower receiver/buffer tube. 12K views, 254 likes, 39 loves, 3 comments, 34 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Matilda Montgomery: The team goes beyond boundaries to make sure Hetty. Prevention? When there are significant issues with your gun, it can be like a punch in the gut. The bolt carrier doesnt slide as smoothly as it should. Read on and learn about why your charging handle wont pull back and how to fix it. The first thing you will need to do is pull the bolt back and lock it in the rearward position. Take time to inspect the charging handle and the bolt carrier group to look for scuff marks or indentions where the handle might be scrubbing. The charging handle not pulling back on your rifle could signify significant problems on the inside. Copyright 1996-2023 AR15.COM LLC. A weak spring may not have the force required to push the ammunition into position to be pushed forward into the chamber.