Last Shot Open?

[emmab]

Hello, I had my new Stag AR out to the range for the first time and I noticed that the bolt carrier was closed on the empty mag. I assume it should stay open. I have OKAY mags that look in good condition and had no FTF problems. Is this a follower problem or am I looking in the wrong place. I have since dry graphited the insides of the mags and will have to wait til next time to see if this helped.Thanks. Pete

 

[Armament]

Chances are your mag catch spring is too heavy for the follower to effectively push it all the way up. Check to make sure it pushes in and out with ease.

Did you assemble the lower yourself?

 

[Keebler750]

I have a thread going in the service rifle forum. I haven't fired my new Bushmaster yet, so I'm just practicing mag changes and such.

I noticed that upon loading a new mag and hitting the bolt release, the bolt would not strip a dummy round off the mag.

I realized that the bolt wasn't going back far enough. It was locking on the carrier instead of the bolt face, and wasn't far enough back to grab the back end of the cartridge on the way past.

Even when manually locking it back via the charging handle, the bolt wouldn't go rearward far enough.

I have since narrowed it down to a problem in the buffer tube. The buffer spring seems to be coil-binding and I think the buffer tube is too short. I've tried both rifle and carbine springs.

On your rifle, take a look at how far the bolt goes back when you pull the charging handle. The locking lugs on the bolt face should travel rearward past the bolt lock and almost out of view of the ejection port. If it doesn't, this can be another reason why you are finishing a mag on a closed bolt.

Check it out.....and check my thread in service rifle. I've measured and fiddled with a bunch of stuff.

 

[P0WERWAGON]

does the bolt carrier lock back if you insert an empty mag and try charging it?

 

[darko]

does the bolt carrier lock back if you insert an empty mag and try charging it?

On mine it USUALLY does, but not always.

However, when Im shooting and I empty a mag, there seems to be about a 50/50 chance that the bolt will lock back. Come to think of it I only have 2 mags so I should try just using one for a little while and then the other, to see if its a specific mag that gives me grief.

 

[emmab]

Thanks for the info. I bought a complete lower with all the goodies installed. An empty mag inserted then charged will still let the bolt close. I'll work the pin a bit while I'm sitting around.It's brand new so maybe it will loosen up a bit. Keebler I'll check your post. Thanks again

 

[P0WERWAGON]

open up the rifle. you should be able to push up the bolt catch from the mag well. doesn't take too much pressure. if it is tight thats a problem. loosen it by working it.

insert an empty mag and see if it pushes up the bolt catch. if it does then close the upper and try it again.

 

[dangertree]

Solid advice from Powerwagon. Catch should be loose. See if you can loosen it up.

If the problem continues contact your vendor.

 

[emmab]

Thanks. I'll work on the catch. Dangertree, you ARE the vendor.