I purchased a a brand new Colt AR Carbine like a year or so ago. When I purchased it I put approximately 60 rounds through it with no problems. I cleaned it and in the safe it went. Next time I took it out I had failure to feed issues with almost every round. The rounds seem to eject fine; however the next round gets wedged between the bolt and the barrel (*Note rifle has M4 feed ramps). When I hand cycle a round it feeds just fine. Only has a failure when cycling automatically. Took it home cleaned it and discovered the gaps on the gas rings on the bolt were all lined up perfectly. Figured that may have been the issue so I alternated the gaps in the rings and put it back in the safe. Took it out for the third time yesterday and again was having FTF issues. I switched magazines and had the same issue. I ran the ammo and same magazines with my Smith/Wesson AR and it ran flawlessly through a couple hundred rounds. The Colt wouldn't make it through 1 or 2 rounds without failing to feed, either the round didn't load at all or it wedged between the bolt and barrel. When I got home and cleaned the guns I was comparing the bolt carrier groups. I checked my Colt against two other AR BCGs. The only thing I notice is the Colt bolt is extremely difficult to move back and forth in the bolt carrier. In the other two ARs the bolts move with ease in the bolt carrier. I tried this little test with the bolts dry and lubed with same results. I don't know if Colts simply have a tighter tolerance or if this could be the issue. So I'm looking for advise here. I'm getting frustrated. My other ARs run fine; however the more costly Colt is having issues.
I suppose it could be the ammo I'm using, but again I don't know why it would work flawlessly in two Smith & Wesson ARs with the same magazines and not the Colt. For the range I'm using Tula 55gr FMJ in .223. I didn't have any other ammo with me, so couldn't test that theory. But again I'd be disappointed if two of my ARs eat/shoot any ammo and my Colt has problems.
So could it be under powered ammo causing the bolt to short cycle?
Is there something wrong with the bolt/carrier tolerances?
Steel cased ammo?
Need a lighter buffer?
Please help and thanks.
I suppose it could be the ammo I'm using, but again I don't know why it would work flawlessly in two Smith & Wesson ARs with the same magazines and not the Colt. For the range I'm using Tula 55gr FMJ in .223. I didn't have any other ammo with me, so couldn't test that theory. But again I'd be disappointed if two of my ARs eat/shoot any ammo and my Colt has problems.
So could it be under powered ammo causing the bolt to short cycle?
Is there something wrong with the bolt/carrier tolerances?
Steel cased ammo?
Need a lighter buffer?
Please help and thanks.