Ammo or Rifle? Independance AR 5.56

R

RTF2

Member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hello everyone, I just bought myself a Colt AR15A4. My first AR. I took it to the range as soon as I got my papers with Independence AR 5.56 ammo, the stuff is loaded real hot. I also Had American Eagle 5.56 XM855's, the green tips. and some Regular old .223 Rem. I had MANY, MANY problems with the Independence ammo not firing. the pin hit the primer, the primers didn't seem to be seated too deeply, and they just wouldn't go bang. hardly at all, I had boxes where all 20 have gone off, and some where literally 8 in a row did not ignite, 5 of them being in one magazine right after another... I also had some problems with the XM855's not igniting, not as often as the Independence though. The .223 rem worked every single time. All the primer strikes on the ammo looked the same, so I'm doubtful thats the problem. and some of the Independence ammo that didn't ignite got stuck in the chamber, requiring some force to pull back the charge handle to get the round out. It was also -15 or so out, but I wouldn't think that would effect the ammo so much?

With so many misfires in a row, could it be my brand new rifle that is doing this? or just horrible, horrible quality ammo? I am new to AR's so there very well be something that I am missing, but has anyone else had problems with Independence AR 5.56 Ammo?

Regards,
Trevor
 
There’s been many reports of similar issues like yours with the Independence ammo. There was a recent sale at Cabelas that sold that brand and a lot of people bought it. Including me!
I haven’t shot mine yet but it seems I better do it fast! I have a buddy who did shoot a couple of boxes of his thru his AR and then did a 4 hr session just to test and his all went off fine.
 
It's cheaper to assume it's the ammo and test that theory.
First: have you cleaned the rifle entirely? Stripped the BCG apart and cleaned everything? There could be some packing oil in the firing pin channel that's preventing the pin from hitting full force.
Remember, you don't want oil on the firing pin because it can and will gum up with carbon. You want it to float freely in there.


If memory serves me, 556 ammo typically has harder primers vs the commercial 223 stuff. It may behoove you to try some other 556 stuff and fire it off AFTER a cleaning everything. If you still have light primer strikes with other brands of 556, either switch to 223 and shoot it exclusively, or try someone else's lower on your upper to try and further narrow down the problem. It's possible it could be a weak/defective hammer spring but that's not something I'd worry about until you've determined it's not just ammo reared.
 
FoxAlpha said:
It's cheaper to assume it's the ammo and test that theory.
First: have you cleaned the rifle entirely? Stripped the BCG apart and cleaned everything? There could be some packing oil in the firing pin channel that's preventing the pin from hitting full force.
Remember, you don't want oil on the firing pin because it can and will gum up with carbon. You want it to float freely in there.


If memory serves me, 556 ammo typically has harder primers vs the commercial 223 stuff. It may behoove you to try some other 556 stuff and fire it off AFTER a cleaning everything. If you still have light primer strikes with other brands of 556, either switch to 223 and shoot it exclusively, or try someone else's lower on your upper to try and further narrow down the problem. It's possible it could be a weak/defective hammer spring but that's not something I'd worry about until you've determined it's not just ammo reared.
Click to expand...

Good info, thanks a lot. I’ll take the BCG apart and have a look. I’ve got the dies on the way now too, so when I start loading my own that will really tell the tale.
 
Yes you had trouble with both 5.56 loads and the .223 worked fine. Something is up with your rifle I'd say. What caliber is stamped on the side of the rifle lower?

I agree with above that you may have a weak/defective hammer spring, or you may have a rifle setup to shoot '223 only!
 
crashcollins said:
Yes you had trouble with both 5.56 loads and the .223 worked fine. Something is up with your rifle I'd say. What caliber is stamped on the side of the rifle lower?

I agree with above that you may have a weak/defective hammer spring, or you may have a rifle setup to shoot '223 only!
Click to expand...

Shoot that's something I didn't even consider, could be he has a 223 chamber. Although I've never heard of ignition issues caused by that.
 
Did you reload any of the ammo that didn't fire and try to shoot it again?

If 2 brands of ammo aren't working I would suspect a rifle problem off the top of my head.
 
Gatehouse said:
Did you reload any of the ammo that didn't fire and try to shoot it again?

If 2 brands of ammo aren't working I would suspect a rifle problem off the top of my head.
Click to expand...

Doesn't explain why he had consistent failures with the 556, but completely reliable function with 223 ammunition.
 
FoxAlpha said:
Doesn't explain why he had consistent failures with the 556, but completely reliable function with 223 ammunition.
Click to expand...

2 different types of 5.56. If only one type was failing and every other type of ammo worked I would suspect an ammo issue.

I’ve only used 2000 of the Indepence IIRC and didn’t have problems like this. If it was a few duds we could blame the ammo but it’s many many failures with 2 different types. His rifle should digest this stuff no problem.
 
crashcollins said:
Yes you had trouble with both 5.56 loads and the .223 worked fine. Something is up with your rifle I'd say. What caliber is stamped on the side of the rifle lower?

I agree with above that you may have a weak/defective hammer spring, or you may have a rifle setup to shoot '223 only!
Click to expand...

May be new to ARs but I’ve got a slew of other rifles and pistols and I have been reloading different calibers for a few years now, she’s stamped 5.56x45 NATO! I did not try to fire any of the rounds again, the primer strike didn’t look weak, it’s very strange!

I fired a couple of boxes fine up until I started to have malfunctions, is it possible it could have been the cold? I had the ammo laid out on the table, and it was about -15 to -20 out. The bcg seemed to be clean but well lubricated! Firing pin was floating freely, I’m starting to think it may be the spring you guys have mentioned. Sounds like another excuse to get up to the range! I’ll bring her up again and try all The ammo, I’ll update you guys then! Thanks a lot guys!
 
Guys here have said they have experienced the hammer dragging (slowing down) because of lube thickening in the extreme cold. If your rifle is marked 5.56 it should be fine to shoot 5.56 ammo. The slower hammer speed may be enough to fire the more sensitive.223 but not the harder 5.56.

Try cleaning any excess lube off or clean and lube with a low temp compatible rifle lube and give it another go with the 5.56. It may be that simple.
 
Gatehouse said:
2 different types of 5.56. If only one type was failing and every other type of ammo worked I would suspect an ammo issue.

I’ve only used 2000 of the Indepence IIRC and didn’t have problems like this. If it was a few duds we could blame the ammo but it’s many many failures with 2 different types. His rifle should digest this stuff no problem.
Click to expand...

Sorry mate, lack of sleep and newborns crying must have led me to read your comment wrong.
i absolutely agree with you here. Sorry.
 
RTF2 said:
May be new to ARs but I’ve got a slew of other rifles and pistols and I have been reloading different calibers for a few years now, she’s stamped 5.56x45 NATO! I did not try to fire any of the rounds again, the primer strike didn’t look weak, it’s very strange!

I fired a couple of boxes fine up until I started to have malfunctions, is it possible it could have been the cold? I had the ammo laid out on the table, and it was about -15 to -20 out. The bcg seemed to be clean but well lubricated! Firing pin was floating freely, I’m starting to think it may be the spring you guys have mentioned. Sounds like another excuse to get up to the range! I’ll bring her up again and try all The ammo, I’ll update you guys then! Thanks a lot guys!
Click to expand...

I'd also ask around, if you know anyone local to you with AR's if you can just pop your upper on their lower. This way you could easily ID if it's a hammer spring problem without the need to buy spare parts and punch out triggers.
 
The first time i took out my bolt gun i tried the independance ammo. 2 out of 5 on average no bang. Every single hornady steel match 223 has worked.

Seems like the ammo.
 
RTF2 said:
May be new to ARs but I’ve got a slew of other rifles and pistols and I have been reloading different calibers for a few years now, she’s stamped 5.56x45 NATO! I did not try to fire any of the rounds again, the primer strike didn’t look weak, it’s very strange!

I fired a couple of boxes fine up until I started to have malfunctions, is it possible it could have been the cold? I had the ammo laid out on the table, and it was about -15 to -20 out. The bcg seemed to be clean but well lubricated! Firing pin was floating freely, I’m starting to think it may be the spring you guys have mentioned. Sounds like another excuse to get up to the range! I’ll bring her up again and try all The ammo, I’ll update you guys then! Thanks a lot guys!
Click to expand...

Where are you located? As someone mentioned, I'm sure somebody would meet up with you that has an AR
 
I went to the range the second time today, it was warmer today and all the ammo fired, .223 & 5.56, no problems at all. Weird! I fired appx 100 of each.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom