NEA15 mysteries (bolt release issues, metalic clang)

GuiltySpark

GuiltySpark

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Everyone loves NEA threads ;)

I just got a used NEA15 and noticed a couple of issues I was looking to get opinions on.

1. When I cycle the action to the rear with an empty magazine the bolt locks to the rear; when I engage the mag release and take the magazine out the action slams forward. If I cycle the action to the rear and engage the bolt catch the bolt will stay to the rear when I take a mag out and put it in. It's only then the bolt is held to the rear by an empty mag does the bolt catch seem to malfunction.

Has anyone heard of this before? Would replacing the bolt catch possibly fix the issue of the bolt releasing when the bag is removed?

2. When the bolt is to the rear and I release the bolt (either by taking off the magazine or engaging the bolt release) there is a loud, odd sounding clang when the bolt slams forward. It sounds like hitting a metal pipe with another metal pipe. Very shallow sounding. I've never heard a sound like that from releasing a bolt before.

3. Do I need a special tool to take my hand guard off or can I just release the two allen key looking screws at the bottom of the handguard and slide it forward.

4. Would a spare parts kit come with the bolt catch/release and a rear take down pin? The rear take down pin in this one comes all the way out.
 
The metal parts slamming forward make a metal clang? That's outrageous! Have you ever owned an AR15 type rifle? The hollow clang is the recoil spring in the buffer tube.

The mag catch is probably mag related. I have bolt catch issues with PMAGS
 
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When you pull back the charging handle with and empty mag in the magwell, are you pulling it all the way to the rear? What you are describing is the bolt not locking back by the bolt catch but by the back of the magazine follower. So either you are not pulling the charging handle all the way back fully or your magazines aren't engaging the bolt catch. Did you try this with other mags?

The metal "clank" sounds just like what my ARs sound like when the bolt slams home and locks up.
 
#1- Does it lock back fully when you fire the rifle? Maybe you're just not pulling back far enough? You should be able to pull it back far enough that the bolt head is held by the bolt catch and not the front of the carrier. If you have a collapsible stock make sure the charge handle isn't hitting the front of the top of the stock preventing it from going back all the way. If it is just lift up slightly as you pull back. I had a cheap stock on one of my older AR's that this happened and I simply created a slight ramp on the front top with a file which helped. Once you realize it's doing it you won't have trouble correcting the problem. Have you tried it with any other magazines?
#2- Already answered above, that's normal. Do you know anyone else with an AR to compare it with?
#3-Answered in post 3
#4- Sounds like someone replaced the pistol grip and lost the spring and pin that goes in there. NEA takedown pin spring and catch go in from the bottom, unlike standard AR's where it comes in from the rear and is held in place by the plate between the castle nut and receiver.

Would be easier to tell you why it won't stay locked back when you remove the magazine if you post a pic looking in at the bolt through the ejection port.
 
Armedsask said:
The metal parts slamming fprrard make a metal clang? That's outrageous! Have you ever owned an AR15 type rifle? The hollow clang is the recoil spring in the buffer tube.
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I've been shooting AR15s for 20 years and I've never heard one make that sound.

Runningfool said:
No special tools to take off the handguard - just loosen those Allen bolts and then rotate the handguard to unlock it and slide it off.
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Perfect thank you.


Trinimon said:
When you pull back the charging handle with and empty mag in the magwell, are you pulling it all the way to the rear? What you are describing is the bolt not locking back by the bolt catch but by the back of the magazine follower. So either you are not pulling the charging handle all the way back fully or your magazines aren't engaging the bolt catch. Did you try this with other mags?
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I'm pulling it all the way to the rear yes. When I use the physical bolt catch it stays to the rear. When it stays to the rear off of the mags it engages forward when I remove them. I've tried PMAGs, Hera mags, Beowolf mags and a no name one.


cr5 said:
#1- Does it lock back fully when you fire the rifle? Maybe you're just not pulling back far enough? You should be able to pull it back far enough that the bolt head is held by the bolt catch and not the front of the carrier. If you have a collapsible stock make sure the charge handle isn't hitting the front of the top of the stock preventing it from going back all the way. If it is just lift up slightly as you pull back. I had a cheap stock on one of my older AR's that this happened and I simply created a slight ramp on the front top with a file which helped. Once you realize it's doing it you won't have trouble correcting the problem. Have you tried it with any other magazines?
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Answered above. Tried various mags (15) through 4 different brands. When I engage the bolt catch it stays to the rear. When it's a mag hitting the bolt catch the bolt slams forward when the mag is removed.
#2- Already answered above, that's normal. Do you know anyone else with an AR to compare it with?
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As mentioned 20 years of shooting AR15s (Diemaco C7s, C8s), a Norinco, DPMS, DD. Even a near identical NEA15 I own doesn't make that sound.

Would be easier to tell you why it won't stay locked back when you remove the magazine if you post a pic looking in at the bolt through the ejection port.
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Sure thing I'll snap a pic.
 
Sorry if I came off short with the sound stuff, we get a lot of new shooters on here asking outrageous questions. Since you have experience, I can't guess what it might be.
 
Lol No worries dude. I can totally see how that could come across as a dumb/newbie sounding question. If you heard the sound though you'd agree it doesn't sound right/natural for Ars. I'll see if I can capture it on a video or something.
 
Have you taken apart the BCG? NEA had a bad batch of bolts they got from a third party a couple years ago that were prone to breaking at the cam pin hole. Maybe it's cracked and is not engaging the barrel extension correctly and is making the noise as it goes in because of it.
The not locking back part? does your bolt catch spring down when the bolt isn't resting against it. If this is a new to you AR and since the rear takedown pin seems to be missing the spring and pin perhaps the previous owner also installed the wrong spring for the bolt catch and there is too much pressure so the mag spring isn't strong enough to fully engage it but you operating it manually will push it up far enough.
Kinda grasping at straws here, I would strip it completely and start fresh inspecting every spring and pin to make sure the right ones are in each location and none are broken or pinched from improper assembly.
 
GuiltySpark said:
1. When I cycle the action to the rear with an empty magazine the bolt locks to the rear; when I engage the mag release and take the magazine out the action slams forward. If I cycle the action to the rear and engage the bolt catch the bolt will stay to the rear when I take a mag out and put it in. It's only then the bolt is held to the rear by an empty mag does the bolt catch seem to malfunction.
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Your bolt carrier is catching on your magazine's follower and not on the actual bolt catch. Happens to me when the bolt carrier can't go all the way back for whatever reason. Burs have appeared on the back of my followers after that.
 
Chemist said:
If you aren't able to sort it out easily, just drop them an email, support@northeasternarms.com and they will help you out.


Ryan
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Hey Ryan, I'm not the first owner. Would they still look at it and possibly fix it?

-[Crosshair]- said:
Your bolt carrier is catching on your magazine's follower and not on the actual bolt catch. Happens to me when the bolt carrier can't go all the way back for whatever reason. Burs have appeared on the back of my followers after that.
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I noticed that yes. The little fin on the bolt face is catching the back of the magazine follower and it's starting to score the magazine.

I compared the buffer return spring to my other NEA15 and it's longer. Could a too-long spring account for the bolt catch not being fully engaged somehow? It's weird that when I pull it all the way to the rear and engage the bolt catch it works (taking off the mag doesn't release it) but when I pull it all the way to the rear using the empty magazine to catch it it doesn't work.
 
Have you tried splitting your upper and lower and making sure that an empty mag is actually engaging the mag catch? Only reason I ask is because a friends mag catch location was slightly out of spec and he had to extend the tip of the catch for it to reach the mag follower.
 
Try oiling the bolt catch. I have a BAD lever installed on mine and it needs to be well lubed to catch 100% without a mag in.
 
jackrabbit000 said:
With all the problems with the NEA's, why did you buy one?
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All the problems? A couple people lately is all I've heard. They used to have more trouble but have switched suppliers for their bolts and seem to have upped their QC.

Quit living in the past, if a company corrects common problems give them some credit and quit bashing them.


GuiltySpark said:
I compared the buffer return spring to my other NEA15 and it's longer. Could a too-long spring account for the bolt catch not being fully engaged somehow?
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This could be a problem, it may have a rifle buffer spring instead of a carbine spring. Maybe the previous owner messed with it and put the wrong spring in it.
Brand-new length of the springs is approximately 12.75″ for the rifle and 10.5″ for the carbine springs

Lengths quoted above from this article http://www.gundigest.com/guns/rifle...hing-the-ar-3-tips-for-buffers-recoil-springs
 
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GuiltySpark said:
I noticed that yes. The little fin on the bolt face is catching the back of the magazine follower and it's starting to score the magazine.
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There you go.

GuiltySpark said:
I compared the buffer return spring to my other NEA15 and it's longer. Could a too-long spring account for the bolt catch not being fully engaged somehow?
Click to expand...

It definitely can and will, I saw it happen when people accidentally put C7A1 rifle-length buffer springs in C7A2s with carbine receiver extensions. Definitely measure your spring like it was mentioned above and if it's too long you should get a proper, carbine-length buffer spring.

Hope this helps, good luck.
 
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