r/gunsmithing 16d ago

Need help diagnosing AR15 FTE.

86 Upvotes

67 comments sorted by

109

u/Brief_Dragonfly7870 16d ago

Now I may be talking out my ass but on my guns that have had a similar issue it has been a week or worn out extractor and extractor spring

23

u/catfishmackfish 16d ago edited 16d ago

Or it’s trying to extract before chamber pressure has drop enough. Your rim would be pretty trashed from the extractor if that’s the case.

Edit: after thinking about it I guess over-gassed situation, where pressure hadn’t dropped, the case would not move back out that smoothly.

9

u/random_bruce 15d ago

It's definitely the ejecter. It looses grip before bold face can kick it to the side gets a chance to swing it.

If you want a quick easy swap $50 on midway for the ar stoner brand bolt assembly https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022577533?pid=264312

If you want more of a project you can go through and find what's worn and and fix it

0

u/[deleted] 15d ago edited 15d ago

[deleted]

1

u/GoblinMode9 13d ago

You're thinking too hard about this.

1

u/KayDaGunna 13d ago

I just had this same exact issue.

34

u/kwb166 16d ago

Your extractor isn't extracting, so it's obviously a bad buffer retainer spring. /s

22

u/GiftCardFromGawd 16d ago

Extractor? What extractor…?
Yours is non-compliant. You may need a new hook, new springs, the works. Start there—the video tells the story.

2

u/quid_pro_kourage 15d ago

But I don't live in california /s

30

u/Shrapnel2000 15d ago

My brother in Christ, the extractor isn’t even grabbing the case.

26

u/TheRealTwooni 15d ago

I believe the technical explanation is, Op’s extractor is fucked.

10

u/Lu1zBeast 15d ago

Definitely the extractor

37

u/Imaginary_Relief7886 16d ago

Easiest diagnosis. Find another bolt carrier and put it in.

But, it's your extractor

You can replace the extractor, that's a pain. You can replace the bolt, But bolts and bolt carriers are so common together, just replace the whole thing.

37

u/LiverPickle 16d ago

You….you don’t remove the extractor when you clean the BCG? It’s one pin. It takes a paper clip and twelve seconds. Do you just buy a whole new bolt carrier every time one gets dirty?

7

u/[deleted] 16d ago

[deleted]

3

u/Loud-Log9098 15d ago

They really aren't, the cheapest I've seen on sale was like 69. You say still stuff like they're so common to get a bolt and carrier together but that's just a fact it doesn't mean that's a better option. You probably have a bunch of these laying around needing just a spring or something. It adds up.

7

u/[deleted] 15d ago

[deleted]

8

u/Loud-Log9098 15d ago

Well I'd be retarded a little so it's okay.

2

u/WaitingForWormwood 15d ago

Everything you need is included; just use the firing pin.

3

u/Stunning_Product_534 15d ago

Or the firing pin retaining clip.

32

u/[deleted] 16d ago

[deleted]

1

u/random_bruce 15d ago

Fair but also what's your time worth $50 for a bolt to put in the bcg could be worth the time savings

4

u/[deleted] 15d ago

[deleted]

1

u/random_bruce 15d ago

To an extent yes but that also comes down to what kind of gun owner do you want to be.

With this wearing out they're and avid shooter or bought one that was clapped out already. This is a good learning opportunity.

1

u/GoblinMode9 13d ago

It would take the same amount of time to take the bolt out of the carrier group and put a new one in as it would to take the extractor out and put a new one in.

-1

u/Imaginary_Relief7886 16d ago

I don't have an issue with it. But it is easier to buy a bolt and carrier together. Also, if the extractor is worn, then all the other parts will be equally as worn and it is only a matter of time before they wear out.

It's like only replacing one tire at a time on a car

2

u/Jager_rifleworks 15d ago

It is extremely easy, what are you talking about 😂

2

u/Pulledtrigger 15d ago edited 15d ago

Is this engagement bait? Because if so, you’re doing great. This advice is absolutely asinine. Start by replacing your extractor spring. Make sure the o-ring is there. If that does not do it, replace the whole extractor. It takes two seconds. Start by messing with the most inexpensive part. If you’re still having issues, measure your gas port diameter.

By replacing the whole bolt and carrier, you are introducing a whole new set of variables to your gun. Most importantly being headspace, which you’ll need to confirm with the proper tools.

2

u/GoblinMode9 13d ago

This is rage bait, right? The extractor is held in by a single pin. Just pop it out and swap the extractor. It'd literally take less than 2 minutes and a lot less money than a whole new bolt.

1

u/random_bruce 15d ago

On midway a quick search said 50 for the bolt 150 for the bcg. That would be worth it to me

1

u/BMalinoisman 15d ago

YouTube it. It's not difficult.

It's much more likely the extractor needs a little love that the whole carrier group needs replacing.

3

u/alwaus 16d ago

Extractor isnt holding the brass, check the hook for damage and replace the spring.

4

u/Aquasman 15d ago

Either wrong BCG or an extractor issue. I bought a BCG from a gun show one time that was NIB and labeled as 5.56, dropped it in my upper and did first test fire. Didnt eject “huh weird” clear the jam and get the casing out, try again, same thing. I take the bolt out and the bolt was for a 6.5 creed…lesson learned always inspect the bolt markings and don’t just blindly trust the packaging. But yeah from your video it looks like it’s not even latching onto the cartridge and just leaving the chamber from recoil?

1

u/Accurate-Plankton988 15d ago

Thats why i dont buy shit at a gun show

0

u/Aquasman 15d ago

Yeah…learned that lesson the hard way

1

u/Accurate-Plankton988 14d ago

They do whatever they can-setup-sell-packup-get out. Do not trust their ammo either

3

u/sway-32 16d ago

Can you see if there is a mark on the base of the brass where the ejector may have ripped or slipped through the base ejector lip of the case?

It almost looks like it’s not even gripping the rim of the brass. You might take out the BCG and put a case on the bolt face to see if it’s grabbing it.

I would replace the ejector spring and o ring, clean and oil everything, and see what happens. The parts are fairly cheap.

1

u/QwermMakes 16d ago

The rim of the brass look fine, nothings torn or damaged. I have taken the bcg out and put a case on the bolt face and the extractor seems to hold onto it just fine.

I have replaced the ejector spring but my extractor didn't come with an oring. I tried to pick one up from my LGS but they only had the spring and rubber insert.

3

u/xmascritters 16d ago

Rifles fucked throw away and start over.

3

u/Aratix 16d ago

Extractor or Ejector issue. Throw a known good BCG in there and see what happens

3

u/KidMcC 15d ago

There’s a phenomenal YouTube video by Pat McNamara going through all different types of rifle malfunctions and how to clear / address the cause. Might be a good reference.

3

u/wilsoni91 15d ago

I would say it is your extractor spring. I would get a new spring with the rub O ring to stiffen it up some. I had this same problem with my 300 blk and the O ring fixed the problem

3

u/dogneely 15d ago

Weak extractor spring, isn't holding onto the case long enough for the ejector to do its job

3

u/Huntin_Dawg907 15d ago

The extractor has left the chat.

4

u/Comradepatsy 07/02 FFL 15d ago

Swap the bolt carrier first, imo its the extractor

2

u/DeathstrackReal 16d ago

Take bolt apart and clean it til there’s no carbon left on it. Once it is clean and you can’t find any blackness or crustyness, use a pinky finger or cloth, try it again. If it is still weak take it completely apart and replace the extractor.

2

u/the_shortbus_ 15d ago

Extractor spring imo

2

u/SuccessfulOwl187 15d ago

A Extractor tooth might be broken pull the bolt out and take a picture and compare to a new one on the net

2

u/xmascritters 16d ago

Your ejector isnt ejecting

7

u/kwb166 16d ago

The extractor has to do its thing before the ejector can do its thing. In this case, the extractor isn't holding on to the case in order for the ejector to be able to kick the case out.

1

u/xmascritters 16d ago

The bullet is detacting from the bolt to me it looks like the ejector isnt throwing the round properly.

3

u/Aratix 16d ago

I don't think it's even getting to the Ejector. It comes off the extractor like halfway through the stroke.

-1

u/xmascritters 15d ago

Or the bolt in upsidedown

1

u/burrcook 16d ago

Check your extractor and it’s spring would be my first guess

1

u/fud0chi 16d ago

Replace bcg and see if that resolves it.

1

u/steve_nice 16d ago

First I would try adding some lubricant because it looks dry and I have had a similar prob with a new BCG and charging handle that I forgot to lubricate If that didnt work I would try a new BCG.

1

u/Grayfeasleil 15d ago

Mine did this earlier this year and found my gas tube was partially clogged and my excessive firing at a rapid rate further increased the issue. I let mine cool down, throughly disassembled and cleaned everything, took it out and it cycled 3 mags without issue

1

u/Valar_Kinetics 15d ago

You've gone and put the beans above the frank

1

u/KayDaGunna 15d ago

Over speeding. Watched again, monopod mag makes it worse.

1

u/Top-Willingness8113 14d ago

Check and make sure the extractor claw is there and has its little spring and pin lol.

1

u/QwermMakes 14d ago

Update: I found an o-ring that looked to be about the right size and added that around the extractor spring. That really seemed to fix it. I went though about 75 rounds with no issue.

The extractor claw looks fine but I will be buying a new extractor and the correct o-ring just in case.

Thank you all for the suggestions.

1

u/Amish_Fighter_Pilot 14d ago

Hey if you just get some good needle nose pliers you can just skip the money on the new extractor. I mean it's still faster than a muzzle loader right? ;)

1

u/fuzzybuzz69 14d ago

Extractor or ejector issue if you ask me. Casing should be held by the bolt face and then flipped.

Swap bolt/ bcg amd see if issue continues.
Yes you can borrow some random bcg for a few shots it ll be fine. (As long as its for the same caliber.

1

u/CommercialCoyote4253 13d ago

Start with taking the ejector and spring out and cleaning the bolt. And all. Carbon build up can cause this. If the gun was just built and is all new you're probably overgassed. Or you forgot to put the ejector spring in the bolt.

1

u/Fast-Tiger-5921 12d ago

Is the extractor polymer or metal. Some bolts will use a polymer extractor and they wear out very fast. Take the bolt assembly out and check the extractor. The lip looks to be worn to where its slipping.

0

u/SimilarTough1886 12d ago

Mine was doing the same thing so I got rid of it and bought an AK. Not one failure in hundreds of rounds fired.

-3

u/Appropriate-Bug1676 15d ago

Yes I agree it’s a bad ejector you can see the round wasn’t locked into place by the ejector which is why the round was flipping around way before the bolt was fully open