2) You pulled the charging handle rearward while there is an empty mag inserted in the weapon. Sorry for my stupidityand my poor sentence structure. Strike upward against the charging handle taking care not to break it. The charging handle is what cocks back the bolt mechanism in the rifle. Just finished my build and no ammo through it as of yet. Next, use the index finger to unlatch. Failure to Feed (FTF) Failure to feed (FTF) is one of the most common malfunctions you'll encounter as a gun owner. This site will have something for everybody! However, you dont use the handle to perform an empty reload; for that, you use the bolt catch as a release. Thats when it picks up the second round and youve got a beauty of a double-feed on your hands. A right-handed shooter releases the bolt by pressing with the thumb of the left hand. 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. Good quality AR-15 parts will save you a lot of trouble. Using the Tap & Tug loading procedure is second nature to many shooters, and can help the shooter new to the AR platform to avoid a lot of issues that might look like a feeding malfunction at first blush. The AR style rifles have been a go-to for shooting enthusiasts for decades now. If you guys know what probably happened or . Neckbone Armory also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Thanks for any help. The only other thing I changed out on the lower was a Norgon Ambi-Mag release and the Ultimate Arms Gear Ambi Safety. 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. If the failure to eject malfunction is a recurring problem and it is not resolved by giving your weapon a good cleaning and proper lubrication treatment, it is best to just go ahead and replace the ejector and extractor springs as well as the extractor. AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types. AR Basics: Mastering The Nuances of Charging Handle And Bolt Release. You might squeeze the trigger and find it gives only a little and feels mushy or it might give a click while nothing else happens. Reasons Why Your AR-15 Charging Handle Wont Pull Back, How to Fix a Charging Handle with too Much Coating or Paint, After Market Handle Fixes are Easy but not Alway Cheap, Warping is a Problem with a Simple Solution, Why is My Glock Not Accurate: Common Reasons and How to Fix, Why Does My Glock Shoot Low and to the Left? NHCC Sunday Service Pt.2 | 4/30/23 - Facebook Dirt, debris, and soot are an invitation for failure to feed malfunctions. Learn how your comment data is processed. Once in place, tug on the magazine to be sure its properly engaged with the magazine catch. First, lets look at what makes up a charging handle. Swapping out charging handles is one of the easier upgrade you can make to your AR-15. 299 views, 7 likes, 16 loves, 55 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from New Hope Community Church: 4/30/23 Reach through the magazine well to push a finger (or a tool) against the bolt face. Its sometime stuck and I can barely pull the charging handle back. I worked as a 45B Small Arms Repairer in the Army and since then I've been enjoying the hobby. Get the latest news and reviews from Gundigest.com. Scan this QR code to download the app now. TNVC/NGI Giveaway: 15 winners with over $7000 worth of prizes!! Obviously this stoppage is a simple one to resolve, other stoppages may be more complicated and have mechanical roots. I just finished building my first AR-15. Bump the rifle butt stock on a firm surface to dislodge the remaining round. If there are massive problems with the rifles frame, it could need more help. 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. Then you have the latch and spring on the handle portion. Once those conditions are established, feel free to give the bang portion a try. Take hold of the charging handle and move finger from the bolt. While failure to fire might seem to be a serious malfunction, failure to extract can have much more serious results if the problem is not readily identified. Move the bolt into the rear position by keeping pressure on the charging handle and bumping the butt of your rifle on the ground. 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. There are plenty of guys running 29 rounds in 30-round magazines who never have to figure out how to clear a double feed. In my case, i found it was the Bolt Carrier Group. Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. 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. 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. Like many other AR-15 malfunctions, failure to fire malfunctions that are due to a firing pin malfunction are frequently caused by a buildup of by-product from the combustion of propellant, or fouling. One new winner* is announced every week! The bolt carrier is pushing against the charging handle. In most cases, you will find that a simple pull of the charging handle will free the brass that failed to eject, you need to be sure that live round hasnt been fed either partially or completely into the chamber. 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! Success with the modified version of tap, rack and reassess is easily in the 90 percent range. "Tap" your magazine to be sure it is properly seated. Prevention? 1) You manually locked the bolt to the rear by actuating the bolt catch/bolt release mechanism while pulling back on the charging handle. It may take the patience of a saint, more than a few choice words, and smithing tools to extract an ornery piece of brass. 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. 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? Improper technique of the charging handle creates friction and wear, and it requires more force than necessary. These are malfunctions of your AR system. The handle and bolt catch are used together to manually lock the bolt open. It is common for the bolt to not fully go into battery if you are riding it. The first attempt to remedy any stoppage of an AR-15 should be what those in the know call Immediate Action: "Tap, Rack, and Reassess.". The charging handle on your AR-15 should pull back easily, and if it doesnt, there are a few problems that could be happening. Once youve taken the pressure off the stuck round(s) youll need to rip out your magazine. The latch and spring simply keep the charging handle locked to the upper receiver while the weapon is being used. 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. ATTN: Here is the link to a new higher quality and more informative video I made showing this technique and explaining what I think causes it, and how to kee. Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. 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. Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited. Yes, prevention is the key to this one. 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. 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. The Tap, Rack, and Reassess cycle will resolve a great many AR-15 stoppages. I watched a YouTube Army video and it appeared that the charging handle sprung back. I see no mention of a stock. 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. If you have a collapsible type stock, then check to see that the stock is in proper alignment, as some of the collapsible type stocks (M4, CAR, etc) have a flat spot on the top front area that the charging handle needs to go over as you manually cycle the action. 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. Just be prepared to pay for the luxury. If you are having issues with failure to feed, you may find that you have a common problem with your magazine. I have the exact same problem. One new winner* is announced every week! Knowing when to use the charging handle and bolt catch separately or in unison is mandatory to operating the AR efficiently. 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. However, it can be a bit tricky if you arent aware of the l process. 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. TNVC/NGI Giveaway: 15 winners with over $7000 worth of prizes!! 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. Stubbed rounds are no fun. The most common reason an AR-15 has trouble pulling back is because the charging handle is warped. Out of all the things I tried. Once the handle has reached full extension, allow it to strip from your hand: Release it as you would a bowstring, allowing the bolt group to snap forward under full spring pressure. By removing some of the coatings or paint, you can free up space for the charging handle to move freely in its track. McKee can be reached at www.shootrite.org. 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. In addition, the charging handle is used to manually cycle the bolt group. Simply said, before firing, be sure that there is still a reason to do so and that it is still safe to fire. 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. Same Day Shipping when order is placed before 1PM EST. If this doesnt solve your problem, you may have a more complex stoppage such as the stovepipe jam. 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. Thats right, cycle it again. Hi my name is Neckbone and I started this site because I love firearms and shooting sports. Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited. The brass was extracted properly, but did not eject and is pinned in the ejection port by the bolt face. Copyright 1996-2023 AR15.COM LLC. I worked as a 45B Small Arms Repairer in the Army and since then I've been enjoying the hobby. The thumb should follow the center line of the stock as it moves rearward, maintaining alignment between the handle and its channel in the upper receiver. Then, using the elbow (not the shoulder), cycle the handle aggressively, pulling it straight to the rear. I think you need to read up on how an AR works. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win. Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. Some ways to protect against buying the wrong charging handle are: After-market parts are a big reason people buy the AR-15 platform. 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. Once the handle is bent, the bolt carrier cant reciprocate and the AR ceases to function. When the handle doesnt pull back because of too much coating, there could be less work than you think. DO NOT try immediate action. How to Fix, Why Does My Glock Rattle? The bolt carrier doesnt slide as smoothly as it should. But, first, remember that when the handle on the rifle does not pull back, you should remove the magazine and any ammunition that might be stuck in the chamber. On examination the operator identifies a bolt over brass malfunction. In this case, you might get the first round off, and then the magazine falls away, knocked loose by recoil. Moral of the story, clean, properly maintained rifles rarely short cycle. Now, the bolt isnt far enough along to use the forward assist to complete the cycle so what do you do? After cycling the handle with the support hand, its repositioned on the handguard. Be aware that it isnt currently charging doesnt mean it is broken or you have ruined the rifle. Magnum Research Debuts The .500 Linebaugh BFR. 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. It pulls the bolt carrier to the rear which opens the breech, ejects spent rounds, and cocks the hammer in one fluid motion. Charging Handle not Returning - Page 1 - AR15.COM Simply put, a stoppage is any situation where your AR-15 fails to complete a cycle of operation. As far as parts go, I have installed the following in my build: Magpul CTR buttstock, Spikes S2-T2 buffer, POF anti-tilt buffer tube, and a Tubb Flat Wire AR-15 Buffer Spring. Read on and learn about why your charging handle wont pull back and how to fix it. 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. Incorrect technique could also break the latch, allowing the charging handle to follow the bolt back, thereby impacting your head. Many new AR owners are able to get the bolt carrier and charging handle removed, but then get stuck trying to reassemble. An empty magazine is supposed to lock the BCG to the rear. Left-handed shooters should use the right hand to feed a fresh mag and their trigger finger to release the bolt. AR-15 charging handle won't pull back. : r/guns - Reddit the back of the bolt carrier can be machined a little differently depending on the manufacturer. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. If it is dented or bulged, the magazine may not allow ammunition to move properly into the rifle. Looking at the primer of the round in question, note the depth of the mark left by the firing pin striking the primer. The standard mil-spec charging handle can be easily found in most gun stores and online. Stoppages may be caused by simple human error or by mechanical malfunction. If you have ever failed to chamber the first round and pulled the trigger with no results, you have experienced a stoppage caused by human error. Some benefits of a side charging handle include, a better look to some shooters, a more ergonomic feel, easier to use, and they dont interfere with some optics like the rear charging handles sometimes do. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win. You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers. Im having the same issue with my new SA piston kit rifle length on the Falkor Defense Receiver set. You have entered an incorrect email address! To get an upgrade over the standard charging handle I suggest the Strike Extended Latch Charging Handle Found Here because it only costs a little more than a standard charging handle but adds the convenience of an extended latch. Either of which will inevitably cause AR-15 jamming. If you were to feed another live cartridge you could create a catastrophic explosion. Warping is the most severe problem you can have with a charging handle. Even more fun than Stubbed rounds, are cartridges that have separated on extraction, ejecting a partial cartridge and leaving the balance in the chamber. 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. Thanks for having more tolerance than some others. In fact, you can actually torque the handle out of shape. Copyright 1996-2023 AR15.COM LLC. The first attempt to remedy any stoppage of an AR-15 should be what those in the know call Immediate Action: Tap, Rack, and Reassess.. You wouldnt be the first person if you bought the wrong size charging handle for your new AR build. If a live cartridge is loaded into the weapon, properly chambered, and the operator has pulled the trigger to release the hammer a round may fail to fire. Privacy Policy. To perform an empty reload when the bolt is locked to the rear, its best to use the bolt catch as a bolt release. Imagine a scenario where youre butt naked trying to clear a malfunction in the middle of the night in the pitch dark to save your loved ones. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. 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. Now, with the magazine out, rack the bolt back, maybe two or three times to ensure youve applied the needed force to the situation. Just dont load those big mags clear full. 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. A quality charging handle can help increase the aesthetic of your firearm, allow you to grip and operate the weapon easier, and also increase the users proficiency. All Rights Reserved. The Aero AR-15 Ambidextrous Charging Handle Found Here is a quality piece at a decent price. This malfunction can be difficult to resolve. In either case, a cartridge is left in the chamber. Without a charging handle, the user couldn't load . While this one isnt as common as some others, its one of those malfunctions that spawns a jam that everyone on the range makes out to be a national emergency. Most AR-15 charging handles will fit an AR-9 and are generally considered interchangeable. I use either Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, or Optics Planet to buy parts, that way I always know what Im getting and that it will actually show up. The BCG is hanging on the trigger. The charging handle assembly is used to manually cycle the bolt group during loading and unloading, and while clearing malfunctions and stoppages. These cant be repaired, and there are many tasty choices on the charging handle market. Save my name and email to use for future comments. This is my first AR. There are a lot questions surrounding the charging handle that I am going to answer here. 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.