Receive exclusive deals, new product announcements and need to know information. Learn how your comment data is processed. I teach left-handed shooters to use the first two fingers of the support hand (think snake fangs) on the left and right side of the handle, with the thumb centered in the back. AR Basics: Mastering The Nuances of Charging Handle And Bolt Release Heres a quick video showing the process, with written steps below: To remove an AR-15 charging handle the upper must be removed from the lower receiver or at least separated by removing the rear takedown pin. Place a cleaning rod in the barrel from the muzzle end. Read on and learn about why your charging handle wont pull back and how to fix it. Somehow a piece of spent brass (or for variety and excitement, a live round) becomes lodged above the bolt in forward position and immediate action isnt happening because the charging handle wont budge. When the bullet has been forced back into a cartridge, its likely to hang up on its way forward or go any way but straight causing a jam. Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. The AR style rifles have been a go-to for shooting enthusiasts for decades now. Drop-in replacement springs are often of a lot better quality than most springs that are original equipment in many builds. The strong hand pulls the handle slightly to the rear, allowing you to confirm theres a round chambered or that the chamber is clear. Without the magazine inserted you should be just fine to rack it freely. If an application of lock, rip and rack doesnt work, youll have to dig in the magazine well with your fingers to clear the offending rounds. It's not the charging handle or the stock. When I pull back on the charging handle (BCM Gunfighter), it clicks at the full retraction point and is then loose, i.e., no spring tension to bring it back forward. From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm. The steps to remove the coating from a charging handle are: If theres too much paint on the charging handle, you will know by the fact it is hard to charge, and if it does, it wont return the bolt to battery. 8 Most Common AR-15 Failures & How To Fix Them AR-15 charging handle won't pull back. AR-15s are dependable, and if there is a charging handle problem, it is significant. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. The proper use of gas operated weapons like the AR-15 is a bit more complicated than that of your average hunting rifle or handgun. On examination the operator identifies a bolt over brass malfunction. There are parts out there, and all it will take to get them is a little more time and effort. The most common reason an AR-15 has trouble pulling back is because the charging handle is warped. These cant be repaired, and there are many tasty choices on the charging handle market. Next, use the index finger to unlatch. Here, again, the strong hand is used to pull back on the charging handle, while the support hand is positioned at the magwell of the lower receiver. As far as the bolt being exposed is concerned, you are probably riding the charging handle instead of letting the BCG slam home freely. The charging handle on your AR-15 should pull back easily, and if it doesnt, there are a few problems that could be happening. The charging handle is located inside the upper receiver and gets pulled back above the buffer tube and stock of the rifle. If a live round is present, the magazine and all live cartridges will need to be removed before you can release the charging handle. Save my name and email to use for future comments. The BCG stays back and will not go forward until the bolt catch is depressed, and then the BCG goes forward. To resolve a stovepipe jam that you have visually identified, you may simply be able to sweep across the ejection port and dislodge the offending empty with a simple hand motion. If you guys know what probably happened or . This should allow the round to come loose. AR Basics: Mastering The Nuances of Charging Handle And Bolt Release. In this case, you might get the first round off, and then the magazine falls away, knocked loose by recoil. A charging handle on an AR-15 charges or loads the weapon. Without a charging handle, the user couldnt load a round into the chamber to ready the weapon for firing. Neckbone Armory is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As the charging handle is pulled to the rear, so is the bolt carrier. Gas systems are also at risk of not holding enough pressure to properly cycle when they become fouled. When the handle doesnt go back, the firearm will not function, and there could be structural issues inside the rifle. How to Fix Common AR-15 Malfunctions and Stoppages, Defective Rounds / Ammunition Borne Feed Malfunction, AR-10 / LR-308 Complete Upper Receiver Assemblies, AR-10/LR-308 Buffers, Buffer Tubes, and Kits, Shop All AR-15 Complete Upper Receiver Assemblies, Shop All AR-10 / LR-308 Complete Upper Receiver Assemblies, Shop All AR-10 / LR-308 Upper Receiver Parts, Shop All AR-10 / LR-308 Lower Receiver Parts, Shop All Handgun Barrels & Muzzle Devices, Shop All Bipods / Monopods & Accessories, Tap your magazine to be sure it is properly seated. It is more efficient to use the tap, rack and reassess method, but with the rifle angled with the ejection port down so that you can get a little help from Newtons friend, gravity. There is a school of thought that believes the proper loading of a magazine is an art of sorts. AR-15 Won't Pull Back: Common Charging Handle Issues and Solutions Simply put, a stoppage is any situation where your AR-15 fails to complete a cycle of operation. Then, using the elbow (not the shoulder), cycle the handle aggressively, pulling it straight to the rear. In regards to lubing and/or oiling the different parts, I went by the YouTube video that MidwayUSA put together on both the upper and the lower. I worked as a 45B Small Arms Repairer in the Army and since then I've been enjoying the hobby. Failure to Feed. AR-15s are dependable, and if there is a charging handle . There are a number of things that can contribute to failure to feed/chamber malfunctions. By removing some of the coatings or paint, you can free up space for the charging handle to move freely in its track. You need to be sure you are using enough force to properly seat the magazine without being so rough that you dislodge ammunition. AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types. In regards to the trigger group, I purchased the DPMS LPK and upgraded that trigger by using the JP Enterprises Trigger Spring (yellow), the AR15 Trigger Adjuster, and the KNS Hammer and Trigger Pins Non-Rotate upgrade. Charging Handle Will Not Pull Back! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!!! The handle is right on the surface of the rifle and easily removed once the upper is opened. Take hold of the charging handle and move finger from the bolt. Left-handed shooters should use the right hand to feed a fresh mag and their trigger finger to release the bolt. The biggest trick to installing the charging handle is that the bolt must be pulled forward on the bolt carrier group (BCG) in order for them to slide freely into the upper. An empty magazine is supposed to lock the BCG to the rear. AR-15 malfunctions may be due to an irregularity in the performance of the rifle itself, the magazine used to deliver ammunition to the rifle or a problem with the ammunition itself. I then pulled my other SA bolt from my 6.8 and swapped everything over and it worked just fine. Dont sweat it! At one time, or another, it is likely that you will encounter a situation where your AR doesn't behave as you expect it to. I'm having the same issue with my new SA kit. Stopping Power and Caliber, The bolt carrier and charging handle will slide to the rear of the upper receiver, Pull the bolt carrier out of the back of the upper receiver, Slide the charging handle back and forth near the rear of the upper receiver, The wings on the charging handle must find the opening in the upper receiver to fit through, Pull the charging handle out the back of the upper receiver, Slide the charging handle part way into the upper receiver, Move the charging handle back and forth so the wings on the charging handle can find their opening in the upper receiver, The charging handle will fit into its own channel on the top of the upper receiver, Once in its channel, slide the charging handle about half way into the upper receiver, Pull the bolt forward in the bolt carrier, Slide the gas key on the bolt carrier into the channel on the charging handle, Slide the charging handle and BCG forward into the upper receiver, If the BCG doesnt want to go, make sure the bolt is pulled forward in the BCG, Latch the charging handle by pushing it into the upper receiver until the charging handle latch clicks into place. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. One new winner* is announced every week! If the user tries to slide the charging handle forward themselves they may actually slow down the intended operation which can cause a failure to load a round. Common Causes and What Can be Done to Prevent It, Why a Glock Will Stovepipe: Failure to Eject Issues Resolved, Which Revolver Is Most Powerful? The stovepipe jam is simply diagnosed. This malfunction can be difficult to resolve. The extra few bucks for an upgraded charging handle will seem like a no brainer in that moment. There are several common categories of malfunction. It has many uses and can be tricked out with many after-market pieces that resemble something from a science fiction film. As a gas operated weapon system, the AR-15, operates best when kept clean and well lubricated. Incorrect technique could also break the latch, allowing the charging handle to follow the bolt back, thereby impacting your head. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Looking at the primer of the round in question, note the depth of the mark left by the firing pin striking the primer. Out of all the things I tried. Immediate Action: " Tap, Rack, and Reassess ". The cartridge that should have been ejected does not exit through the ejection port, but either stays part way in the chamber or ends up jammed into the upper when the bolt comes forward. If thats what youre looking for then I suggest the Strike AR-15 Charging Handle Here because its better quality than most standard mil-spec charging handles but still at a budget price. If the case has broken or ruptured, it is likely to be stuck in the chamber. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. As mentioned earlier, the charging handle is used to check the condition of the chamber. With the stovepipe jam cleared, you may reseat your magazine if youve had to remove it, rack the bolt back and release it, readying your system to fire. [ARCHIVED THREAD] - Charging Handle not Returning, TF 9 3663 Rifle 5.56MM, XM16E1 Operation and Cycle of Functioning. Perhaps youve just fired one, or maybe several rounds, and now your weapon wont fire again. nous utilisons les cookies afin de personnaliser le contenu et les publicits, de fournir des fonctionnalits pour les rseaux sociaux et analyser notre traffic. Even more fun than Stubbed rounds, are cartridges that have separated on extraction, ejecting a partial cartridge and leaving the balance in the chamber. Stoppages may be caused by simple human error or by mechanical malfunction. Most of the time this malfunction is caused by short stroking (we covered short recoil earlier) or fouling or corrosion of the chamber which cause friction on extraction throwing off extraction and ejection functions. The charging handle will return to its forward position if the bolt carrier is not locked to the rear. You can misalign the ammunition inside the magazine or, if its backed by a strong magazine spring, you could even knock loose a round to try to jump into the chamber prematurely. Most of the stoppages that are cleared in this manner would be considered type 1, simple stoppages that may not have a specific known source. Some handles have snazzy grip attachments to give you more leverage; others are smooth as silk when you pull back the hammer and let it rip. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win. The first steps are always to use a process of elimination: Doing those types of steps can help you pinpoint the problem part or parts. Apply steady pressure. How to Fix, Why Does My Glock Rattle? If you spend enough time around tactical guys, youll find out that the average buffer spring in an AR-15 isnt as strong as you might think. Defective rounds can cause a number of different versions of the failure to feed family, but there are two ammunition failures that are more common than the rest. When the handle doesnt pull back because of too much coating, there could be less work than you think. Many AR owners like to upgrade their firearms and the charging handle is one of the simplest and most cost effective upgrades you can make. A common cause of failure to chamber is that the bolt carrier group has not moved forward with enough force to complete the operation of feeding/chambering ammunition or to lock the bolt in place. If you can see that the barrel is obstructed your rifle will need to spend some time on the bench, this isnt a field serviceable malfunction. Stubbed rounds are no fun. After looking at the most common stoppages and malfunctions of the AR-15, you really need to take away two things: The AR-15 functions best when kept clean and lubricated, dont neglect basic rifle hygiene! It pulls the bolt carrier to the rear which opens the breech, ejects spent rounds, and cocks the hammer in one fluid motion. The remedy will depend on whether the cartridge is actually stuck in the chamber and if another round has been fed. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. If there is nothing obviously wrong with the magazine, there are a couple of other problems that are commonly experienced with larger volume magazines. Some ways to protect against buying the wrong charging handle are: After-market parts are a big reason people buy the AR-15 platform. It has nothing to do with the buffer tube, if I split the upper and . The double-feed is only made worse by the fact that your buffer spring is keeping pressure on the problem. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Move the bolt into the rear position by keeping pressure on the charging handle and bumping the butt of your rifle on the ground. the back of the bolt carrier can be machined a little differently depending on the manufacturer. Neckbone Armory also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. It pulls the bolt carrier to the rear which opens the breech, ejects spent rounds, and cocks the hammer in one fluid motion. Get 12 Issues a year of the country's best firearms writing. If you inspect the firing pin and find no obvious defect, your best bet is to clean the weapon being sure to pay special attention to the firing pin, bolt and bolt carrier, as well as the area of the barrel extension locking lug. Nous partageons galement des informations sur votre usage de notre site avec nos rseaux sociaux, publicitaires et partenaires d'analyse. There is an empty mag installed (PMAG Gen 3 5.56). The Tap, Rack, and Reassess cycle will resolve a great many AR-15 stoppages. The latch and spring simply keep the charging handle locked to the upper receiver while the weapon is being used. Hitting the bolt release is the most efficient and ergonomic way to chamber a round during an empty reload. In fact, youve got something akin to a log jam happening in your receiver. 1. Assuming youve ruled out magazine issues, you may have a damaged, worn or completely broken buffer spring. Before you go any further, simply be sure that your magazine is loaded properly and solidly seated. From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm. The Aero AR-15 Ambidextrous Charging Handle Found Here is a quality piece at a decent price. You can not use an AR-15 charging handle in an AR-10 upper receiver because the AR-10 has a larger bolt carrier and upper receiver assembly. An AR-15 side changing handle is a variation of a traditional AR-15 upper receiver where the charging handle is on the side of the upper receiver instead of at the top rear. Neckbone Armory also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. This was runner up for best overall but its really a great ambidextrous option. 12K views, 254 likes, 39 loves, 3 comments, 34 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Matilda Montgomery: The team goes beyond boundaries to make sure Hetty. There are many options; some folks could have misread the measurements or misunderstood their rifle type. If the primer is unmarked or the indentation is significantly shallower than normal, there is a problem with the function of the firing pin. An upgraded charging handle may be more important to some than it is to others but I like to think its more important for some applications that it is for others. Then, using the elbow (not the shoulder), cycle the handle aggressively . Categorized as a failure to chamber or feed, the simple problem of an improper lock due to a magazine that is either setting against the ground or influenced by forward pressure will create a malfunction that is easily remedied by using tap and tug and keeping your magazine clear of the ground and other obstacles. The bolt carrier is pushing against the charging handle. Now lets cover how they work, the best charging handles for the money, and how to install or swap out charging handles. The best overall charging handle that Ive had the pleasure of using is the Geissele Super Charging Handle Found Here because of its ease of use and quality of build. The charging handle and bolt catch are critical components of the AR. When you pull back on the charging handle, it hooks over the gas key on the bolt carrier, a little staked down piece on top of the bolt carrier that the gas tube settles into. The appearance of a stovepipe jam is the source of its moniker. Pull the bolt to the rear position and the round should fall away. I have the exact same problem. As always, perform immediate action to attempt to resolve your stoppage. 299 views, 7 likes, 16 loves, 55 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from New Hope Community Church: 4/30/23 If you are shooting and experience a situation in which there is unusually weak recoil or a weak pop rather than the weapons normal report, you should stop immediately and lock the bolt to the rear. Now, with the magazine out, rack the bolt back, maybe two or three times to ensure youve applied the needed force to the situation. After a difficult episode with a piece of damaged ammunition, be sure to check for safe function of your firearm before resuming operation. If there are massive problems with the rifles frame, it could need more help. There are easy fixes for your charging handle issues, as long as you know what you are dealing with. It is always best to simply release the charging handle and let the buffer spring do the work of returning the bolt carrier. I'm guessing I have a bolt that's out of spec. The third and most complicated type of stoppage is the double-feed. If youve followed proper procedure, youve just done a tap, rack, and reassess cycle and found that your AR-15 is definitely not ready to fire. Normally, the strong hand maintains its grip on the AR, and the support hand is used to operate the charging handle, which is a three-step process: First, position the thumb of the support hand on the back of the handle in its center. The charging handles for AR-10 rifles are longer and are sold separately from AR-15 charging handles. When the takedown pin is engaged it forces the upper and lower a faction apart (i can see the gap on mine) and the charging handle cannot be pulled back because the bolt is hitting the (top of) lower receiver/buffer tube. Get the latest news and reviews from Gundigest.com. Failure to Feed (FTF) Failure to feed (FTF) is one of the most common malfunctions you'll encounter as a gun owner. I see no mention of a stock. The bolt carrier is pulled into the buffer tube compressing a spring, it pushes down on the hammer latching it to the trigger and charging the weapon. If you were to feed another live cartridge you could create a catastrophic explosion. Theres three things that can happen when the charging handle is released. Warping is the most severe problem you can have with a charging handle. Privacy Policy. Just be prepared to pay for the luxury. It occurs when a round fails to load into the chamber of an AR from the magazine. Try it after you remove the magazine. To perform this and other tasks efficiently and to prevent wear and tear on your AR its important to implement the proper techniques when using the handle catch/release in tandem, as well as when using them independently. The article originally appeared in the May 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. Right-handed shooters use their snake fangs to grasp the handle; left-handers use the right-hand technique described above. There are a lot questions surrounding the charging handle that I am going to answer here. If it is: There are several causes that may be identified for extraction failures: The end of cycle malfunction. Can You Use an AR-15 Charging Handle In an AR-9? The standard mil-spec charging handle can be easily found in most gun stores and online. When the charging handle is pulled completely to the rear, it is under spring tension of the buffer spring pushing against the bolt carrier. If it is damaged, the barrel will need to be replaced. Be aware that it isnt currently charging doesnt mean it is broken or you have ruined the rifle. For more info about charging handles check out: What Is an AR-15 Charging Handle? The name charging handles comes from the fact that its the handle used to charge or load the rifle. Prevention? Lefties can install an ambidextrous charging handle with a release on each side. If youre somewhat new to the AR-15 platform you might find things that catch you by surprise. Here is the parts I used that are relevant to my issue: Make sure the charging handle is not catching on the top of the lock plate of the stock when you pull it back. The other ten percent will require the operator to use his or her fingers to clear the brass by sweeping them though the magazine well. For starters, the charging handle is used when performing a chamber check.
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