Hi all I'm new to the AR game and ran into some troubles today at the range. Testing some loads in hopes of getting geared up for some CQB this summer. On the 16th round I got a blast of gas out the ejection port, blew the bottom plate off the mag and now the bolt is stuck in battery with the empty case in the chamber. Bullet did leave the barrel as it was on paper. Looking for help on how to get the bolt open without damaging the rifle more than it may be already. I don't think I can pound it open with a rod as the bolt is in battery. Any help appreciated. I'm thinking some sort of case failure as I weighed every charge and the powder I'm using couldn't fit a double charge. Loads were no where near book max and primers on other ejected cases look fine.
Help Bolt stuck in battery
- Thread starter Red Iron
- Start date
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The case has likely ruptured and bent the extractor into locking recess. It is therefore jammed in the locked position.
Sometimes removing the upper and tapping the bottom of the carrier to push it rearward will work. Use a non marring punch or hammer if possible to avoid damaging the carrier.
The case may separate and need to be removed separately.
Fix the barrel in a jaw protected vice if you have one.
Sometimes removing the upper and tapping the bottom of the carrier to push it rearward will work. Use a non marring punch or hammer if possible to avoid damaging the carrier.
The case may separate and need to be removed separately.
Fix the barrel in a jaw protected vice if you have one.
OldFrankHog
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Gatineau QC
Oh DPMS... Then it's most likely the ammo that failed. If it had been an NEA though...
OkayShooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Weak crimp causing the bullet push into the case more creating a pipe bomb effect. Is probably what happened.
Army everytime they got a dummy round jammed. They always put their foot on the charging handle and kicked down.
You may have to hit it a bit harder than the video shows. As long as you collapse the stock and the gun is in a safe condition, don't be afraid to give it some oomph.
Also, I would separate the upper from the lower and check the upper around the ejection port to see if it is bent. Does the dust cover close properly still?
Ben
Runningfool
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
Oh DPMS... Then it's most likely the ammo that failed. If it had been an NEA though...
Yep. I'm betting there are a handful of excited people who suddenly become disappointed when they read it was a DPMS. "DPMS with case failure." isn't half a titilating as "Faulty NEA explodes causing foundation damage at range clubhouse!"
To the op, sorry to hear about this - can you post some pics once you get the bolt out? It always helps understand how these things happen with associated pictures.
And Matt, thanks for that description...sounds a lot like what you had mentioned in a recent thread.
One of two issues has occurred. The pop of gas out the ejection port is the giveaway.
Either case failed and has pushed or bent the extractor, which is bearing against the bbl extension.
I once had a primer blow out of the case and become lodged behind the bolt pin.
Both of these problems cannot be solved via mortaring. In fact that will likely make the problem worse as the carrier will get stuck partway into the buffer tube which will prevent the receivers being separated.
The best solution is the separate the receivers and use a brass rod to pound the carrier backwards out of the upper receiver. Depending on the issue this may take some force.
Either case failed and has pushed or bent the extractor, which is bearing against the bbl extension.
I once had a primer blow out of the case and become lodged behind the bolt pin.
Both of these problems cannot be solved via mortaring. In fact that will likely make the problem worse as the carrier will get stuck partway into the buffer tube which will prevent the receivers being separated.
The best solution is the separate the receivers and use a brass rod to pound the carrier backwards out of the upper receiver. Depending on the issue this may take some force.
If the bolthead has rotated to locked position, a rod down from the muzzle isn't going to rotate it to unlock it, and then push it open.
If the bolt is unlocked, then a rod might get it open.
But any rod that will go through a .223 bore is pretty slender.
Apply the force to the carrier to pull the breech open.
If the bolt is unlocked, then a rod might get it open.
But any rod that will go through a .223 bore is pretty slender.
Apply the force to the carrier to pull the breech open.
Initially I would have used the edge of the shooting table on the left side of the guns charging handle by pushing down with my weight on the butt. Now that it remains stuck I would not mortar it at the club. Really no need to do this on a fired cartridge unless your life is in harms way and this is all the options you have. We civilians have time at home so separating the receivers may give an owner the option to do more exploring on the condition of the bolt carrier. Yes it may not work but it may also work if indeed the bolt is rotated.
No go so far, mortaring hasn't worked. Dust cover closed no problem, I don't see any visible damage, some carbon around the barrel extension and all over the mag follower, upper came off the lower no problem. Bolt is definitely locked in battery. Will take it to the shop and put it in a vice and try a brass punch on the bolt carrier. May try a 2x4 on the charging handle first. Sucker won't budge. Thanks for all the help so far guys. I will report back. By the way ammo had a firm crimp using a Lee factory crimp die. Just thought of one more question, does the bolt rotate clockwise or counter clockwise to open?
