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Actually, I posted about this about a year ago and I have had very little time since then to go shooting and try to sort the problem out.
I have a Colt AR that is having bad stove-piping issues.
The rifle has probably several thousand rounds through it. Other than the gas rings, it has all original parts other than putting on a collapsible stock and a different grip.
I started with the simple stuff first.
First was VERY thorough cleaning and inspection of parts, then lubing according to the owners manual.
I tried several different mags including brand new ones, and I've tried different types and weights of ammo in both .223 and 5.56 .
I tried a different extractor and spring (not Colt brand, some other aftermarket brand, maybe DPMS). That did not help so I put the Colt extractor and spring back on.
This past Saturday, I finally had a free day so I spent about six hours at the range. I mentioned to the Rangemaster the problem I was having, so he spent a lot of time watching while I was shooting. One thing he pointed out was that at first, the empties were spitting out pretty far at about 3 o'clock. After several mags (yes, with at least two stovepipes per mag), the empties were landing MUCH closer at about 1 or 2 o'clock. Literally landing on the table maybe 18 inches or 2 feet from me.
He told me to talk to their gunsmith who happened to be there that day. He said the guy had taken the Colt armorers course at the factory, so he should be able to figure it out. I took the rifle to him and he completely broke it down and inspected it. The only thing he did not take out was the ejector. That, he said, felt like the right amount of spring tension and was sticking out where it should be. Said the rings looked good, extractor looked and felt right, gas key properly staked, no visible cracks anywhere, no carbon build-up anywhere. Sprayed brake cleaner down the gas tube and it ran out fine. Checked the buffer, tube and spring. Made sure the little hole at the end of the tube wasn't blocked. The only thing he did was to slightly stretch the buffer spring. I told him how the empties were ejecting strongly at first but weaker the more I shot. Seems like that would be a major clue, but he didn't really comment on possible reasons for that. I swapped him some .223 for some xm193 to try, but those failed on the second round.
I will try to mention anything else I noticed, even if it seems insignificant. Maybe it will provide a clue as to the problem. I will also try to post some pictures that may help you diagnose the problem.
In the first couple of mags fired, the stovepipes occurred towards the last rounds in the mags. In later mags, the failures happened earlier in the round count. Almost as if the hotter the rifle got, the sooner the stoppages.
On a couple of the failures, the empty would stovepipe, but there would be a fresh round almost chambered underneath it. I will post a picture of this.
Check out the picture of the deflector on the side of the receiver. You will see normal marks from empties hitting it about halfway up, but right where the deflector melds into the receiver, you will see a bright spot where the paint is missing completely. Seems like the empties should be hitting higher up. Maybe insignificant, maybe a clue?
Another picture shows the round that partially chambered under the last stovepipe. There is a scratch on the side, but since it is not a straight line, I wondered would that be from the extractor or more likely made by the spent round above it? There is also a very slight gouge or scrape on the TOP of the base of the round. You have to look close to see it. The bottom of the base looks normal. Again, maybe a clue?
One other thing. After stripping, cleaning and lubing the bolt and BCG, the bolt seems a little stiff going in and out of the BCG. You know how you can push the bolt in and then flick it out a quarter inch or so, it will do it but somehow it seems like its a little sticky flicking it out. That could just be my imagination since it's been so long since the rifle ran properly.
As mentioned, I replaced the original fixed stock with a collapsible one. It ran fine for a long time with only a very occasional problem.
I have scoured the internet trying to figure what else to do. At this point, the only things I can think of would be to replace the ejector and spring, and maybe the extractor and spring, this time using Colt parts. I've also read that maybe a heavier buffer might work. I've heard that slows the action down so maybe the empties need slightly more time to clear the chamber(?). Other than that, all I can think of is to ship it back to Colt and let them work on it.
I would appreciate any advice you guys can offer.
I have a Colt AR that is having bad stove-piping issues.
The rifle has probably several thousand rounds through it. Other than the gas rings, it has all original parts other than putting on a collapsible stock and a different grip.
I started with the simple stuff first.
First was VERY thorough cleaning and inspection of parts, then lubing according to the owners manual.
I tried several different mags including brand new ones, and I've tried different types and weights of ammo in both .223 and 5.56 .
I tried a different extractor and spring (not Colt brand, some other aftermarket brand, maybe DPMS). That did not help so I put the Colt extractor and spring back on.
This past Saturday, I finally had a free day so I spent about six hours at the range. I mentioned to the Rangemaster the problem I was having, so he spent a lot of time watching while I was shooting. One thing he pointed out was that at first, the empties were spitting out pretty far at about 3 o'clock. After several mags (yes, with at least two stovepipes per mag), the empties were landing MUCH closer at about 1 or 2 o'clock. Literally landing on the table maybe 18 inches or 2 feet from me.
He told me to talk to their gunsmith who happened to be there that day. He said the guy had taken the Colt armorers course at the factory, so he should be able to figure it out. I took the rifle to him and he completely broke it down and inspected it. The only thing he did not take out was the ejector. That, he said, felt like the right amount of spring tension and was sticking out where it should be. Said the rings looked good, extractor looked and felt right, gas key properly staked, no visible cracks anywhere, no carbon build-up anywhere. Sprayed brake cleaner down the gas tube and it ran out fine. Checked the buffer, tube and spring. Made sure the little hole at the end of the tube wasn't blocked. The only thing he did was to slightly stretch the buffer spring. I told him how the empties were ejecting strongly at first but weaker the more I shot. Seems like that would be a major clue, but he didn't really comment on possible reasons for that. I swapped him some .223 for some xm193 to try, but those failed on the second round.
I will try to mention anything else I noticed, even if it seems insignificant. Maybe it will provide a clue as to the problem. I will also try to post some pictures that may help you diagnose the problem.
In the first couple of mags fired, the stovepipes occurred towards the last rounds in the mags. In later mags, the failures happened earlier in the round count. Almost as if the hotter the rifle got, the sooner the stoppages.
On a couple of the failures, the empty would stovepipe, but there would be a fresh round almost chambered underneath it. I will post a picture of this.
Check out the picture of the deflector on the side of the receiver. You will see normal marks from empties hitting it about halfway up, but right where the deflector melds into the receiver, you will see a bright spot where the paint is missing completely. Seems like the empties should be hitting higher up. Maybe insignificant, maybe a clue?
Another picture shows the round that partially chambered under the last stovepipe. There is a scratch on the side, but since it is not a straight line, I wondered would that be from the extractor or more likely made by the spent round above it? There is also a very slight gouge or scrape on the TOP of the base of the round. You have to look close to see it. The bottom of the base looks normal. Again, maybe a clue?
One other thing. After stripping, cleaning and lubing the bolt and BCG, the bolt seems a little stiff going in and out of the BCG. You know how you can push the bolt in and then flick it out a quarter inch or so, it will do it but somehow it seems like its a little sticky flicking it out. That could just be my imagination since it's been so long since the rifle ran properly.
As mentioned, I replaced the original fixed stock with a collapsible one. It ran fine for a long time with only a very occasional problem.
I have scoured the internet trying to figure what else to do. At this point, the only things I can think of would be to replace the ejector and spring, and maybe the extractor and spring, this time using Colt parts. I've also read that maybe a heavier buffer might work. I've heard that slows the action down so maybe the empties need slightly more time to clear the chamber(?). Other than that, all I can think of is to ship it back to Colt and let them work on it.
I would appreciate any advice you guys can offer.
