I am starting to hate my AR! Please help!!Update post 65! Problem solved!!

S

Still alive

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So I have a 10.5" DI VLTOR AR. Upper and lower. Bought used, about 2000 rds from the original owner. Sweet looking and accurate AR. My first AR in 20 years. Standard buffer and bcg. Always cleaned after shooting and lubed well before matches.
When I first got it, it would occasionally FTF. It would not strip the next round out of the mag although it would eject the spent case. I went from a heavy buffer to the standard one and also lubed the gun well and that solved that problem. No issues for months, in practice and matches.

Last night, we had an awesome night shoot. I ran the first stage with no issues and finished 2nd by a second. Looking forward to a great night! Then it happened! FTFs turned my AR into a bolt action. Bang, click, manual cycle, bang, click, manual cycle followed by some double feeds.
I stripped the gun and inspected the firing pin, the rings, the bolt. Other guys who were more knowledgeable than me looked at it too and everything looked fine.
Shot the next stage and it was fine again.
Stage 4 and 5 were gong shows! Every second shot was either a FTF or a double feed. I ended up with 2 DNFs.
Remember, this was in total darkness.
I'm using AA Beuwolf and ATRS mags. The gas key is staked properly, the BCG is fine,the mags are clean and this happened with all the mags. The only difference I can say is I used PMC 55gr ammo for the first time. Guys all say PMC is good stuff.

What is my problem?? I shoot a lot with this gun but, as far as the nuts and bolts of the mechanism, I am a total noob. Is there something I'm missing that won't cost an arm and a leg to fix??

HELP!!!
 
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2000 rounds? no you dont need to do that
I dont use pmc, some say its loaded light
ATRS mags are a pain to seat in my cc lower, i use my aa beowolfs in my ccs now.

Did you try with AE 55 grain? Or some hot federal xm855?

I have some xm 855 i coukd pass on to you if you want to test with some 556
 
When I first started reading, I was going to blame the mags, but I guess not. I run my Ar wet, and greasy. How's your weather? I don't shoot the AR in the winter, but I've no doubt mine would seize up in chilly weather. It even happens with my bolt rifles, guilty of over lubing.

I'd switch back to my regular ammo and see if it still malfunctions. Is PMC ammo regarded as good stuff?
 
Still alive said:
No, that is one thing I have never cleaned. Didn't even know you can get in there! Do you have to take the barrel apart to do it?
Or run a long pipe cleaner thru it with G96?
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i wouldnt clean the gas tube honestly 2000 rounds doesnt warrant that

you actually clean your gas tube every time you fire your ar15

ypu could use carb cleaner and compressed air to clean it, but honestly i wouldnt touch it before 5000 rounds
 
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mikethebike said:
2000 rounds? no you dont need to do that
I dont use pmc, some say its loaded light
ATRS mags are a pain to seat in my cc lower, i use my aa beowolfs in my ccs now.

Did you try with AE 55 grain? Or some hot federal xm855?

I have some xm 855 i coukd pass on to you if you want to test with some 556
Click to expand...
Thanks Mike,
I was wondering about the PMC too. The guys said they were loaded to NATO spec. I won them last week at another shoot so I thought I would try them.
I normally shoot AE, AE tactical, Remington UMC, Win White Box. All 55gr. All fine. Never used Norc ammo or Wolf.
The ATRS and Beus all worked before and they weren't overloaded for the match either as only 10 rds/ mag were allowed.
Again, thanks for the offer but I suspect this is not an ammo issue!
 
saskgunowner101 said:
When I first started reading, I was going to blame the mags, but I guess not. I run my Ar wet, and greasy. How's your weather? I don't shoot the AR in the winter, but I've no doubt mine would seize up in chilly weather. It even happens with my bolt rifles, guilty of over lubing.

I'd switch back to my regular ammo and see if it still malfunctions. Is PMC ammo regarded as good stuff?
Click to expand...
Weather was warm for October, about 10 degrees, I guess. PMC is Korean made. No idea if it's good. Apparently not in my gun! LOL!
I will go with a buddy this week and try my normal ammo again and see if this continues!
Someone at the range mentioned I may need a new barrel because the gas ports may be the issue. How do I check this short of taking the barrel out. I don't have the tools btw.
 
adamg said:
You've gotta start looking at your gas rings. Try replacing them.

PMC 223 is loaded light. PMC 556 is not light.
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I was told the test for proper gas rings is that the bolt doesn't fall out on its own when the detente pin is removed. Correct?
I tried that last night and it didn't fall out.
And, yes, it's PMC .223. Do you think that is the problem? I've never heard of people having issues with PMC ammo before.
 
Another thing to check is to ensure that your gas block has not shifted or become loose. If it has the it may not be getting optimal flow through the tube, and it could explain why it stopped working all of a sudden.
 
Bigfoot 870 said:
If I may......cou:

Trying different ammo, before tearing anything apart or buying different mags, would be my approach.

Good luck Still Alive :rockOn:
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Haha!
Thanks but I think trying different ammo, the PMC, may be my problem according to the guys here!
I will go back to my regular stuff when I shoot it again and see. I left my upper with my friend who shot with me last night and he's taking a look at the problem.
 
Still alive said:
Weather was warm for October, about 10 degrees, I guess. PMC is Korean made. No idea if it's good. Apparently not in my gun! LOL!
I will go with a buddy this week and try my normal ammo again and see if this continues!
Someone at the range mentioned I may need a new barrel because the gas ports may be the issue. How do I check this short of taking the barrel out. I don't have the tools btw.
Click to expand...

Sure can't blame the temperature then. I think switching back to your regular ammo is the easiest first step to try. Keep some pmc on hand as well, to see if the gun works, doesn't work, then works again.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
Sure can't blame the temperature then. I think switching back to your regular ammo is the easiest first step to try. Keep some pmc on hand as well, to see if the gun works, doesn't work, then works again.
Click to expand...

Same thought's already crossed my mind! I will be disappointed if I find out it's the ammo. PMC is one of the cheaper ammo right now! Also, I've never owned a gun that did not feed everything reliably. This AR will be the first if it turns out to be an ammo issue.
 
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