A couple of months ago I bought an Arsenal SGL-31, because I could not find a 106-FR. But shortly thereafter I ran into a gentleman (whom I know and trust) that had a 106-FR and wanted a 5.45 gun. So, we swapped my SGL-31 and 2K rounds for his 106-FR and .223 mags. We made the trade at a local range so that each of us could wring out the guns before the deal was made, and I had no problems whatsoever.
Since then, I’ve taken it out twice, and both times I’ve had pierced, punched, and blown primers. I’m ASSUMING that the ammo is the culprit, but I want to check with people more knowledgeable than I before I go too crazy doing anything. The ammo in question is the Georgia Arms “canned heat” which is used exclusively by my agency for training purposes. Other than rediculously bad accuracy, I’ve never had many issues with that ammo in any of my AR’s, but who knows.
Usually the problem starts with a pierced primer and the dimple from that one primer making a “cap” over the end of the firing pin. I’ve also had a bunch of crap get lodged in the firing pin channel. After firing four magazines yesterday I had two primer “caps” over the firing pin and probably two more down the channel. I realize that once there is one problem, more are sure to follow. I also realize the potential problems that could occur as far as those caps stacking up on the firing pin. So in summary, my main concern is what is causing that inital problem? I am primarily blaming the ammo, but you guys are a lot smarter than me.
I plan to check out the firing pin under the magnifying glass to check for deformities, and get a box of the CCI NATO primers to load up and try.
Also, if I wanted to try a different firing pin, do regular 7.62 firing pins work or would I have to go .223 specific on that part?
Thanks in advance for any and all help!
Here is a pic of some Hornady factory ammo that I shot AFTER I had already blown a primer in the GA Arms stuff, but didn’t realize it.
Here is my bolt assembly and all of the crap that was on or in the firing pin and firing pin channel.
Didn’t old school commie ammo have really hard primers? If that is the case and the rifle was designed to work with that, could the issue be soft primers in this ammo? My memory is foggy on this one…
The SLR-106FR has a spring-loaded firing pin meant to prevent slamfires when loading a round with a soft commercial primer multiple times. Since they took that into account, I think it likely Arsenal would have been aware of any other common issues with commercial ammunition.
I’ve had no problems with Commercial and military ammunition in my SLR-106FR. I’ve run Prvi Partizan m193 and their slower commercial load, Wolf, Brown Bear, XM193, and Winchester 55gr. I’ve never experienced similar issues.
With that in mind, I think either you’ve got one heck of an enlarged firing pin opening in your bolt face, or it’s the ammo.
Post a couple of pictures of your bolt face with the firing pin pressed forward so that the tip is fully exposed. I’d want to see a square-facing (dead-on from the front) picture and one slightly high and to one side, preferably in bright light or sunlight.
The firing pin used by the SLR-106 and other Bulgarian 5.56 AKs, unfortunately, is unique. I only managed to find a replacement by buying a complete bolt in the for sale section on a msg board some years ago.
I would clean up the chamber and bolt face, keep that extractor out, and borrow some headspace gauges to make sure it’s not FUBAR on a whole nother’ level.
If you have access to any hotter loads, like XM193 or similar, it would be worthwhile to try that. If it happens with canned heat but not a hot military load, you have your answer.
If you still have issues after trying hot loaded ammunition, I’d take SoundFX’s suggestion and check headspace.
Sorry to bring this back from the dead, but I do have an update. I recently got to try several other types of ammo including some green tip and other factory loads. The pierced primer issues were as bad if not worse than ever. I contacted Arsenal this morning and hope to have some resolution soon. After some close inspection, it almost looks like the firing pin hole/ channel is elongated or otherwise “out of shape”.
Big metal/ primer shaving lodged inside firing pin hole with the firing pin. (The rifle ceased to fire at this point, and I had to use a punch to get everything out.
Hi JB326, I would like to know how you fixed this problem. I’m going through the same thing with my SLR-106F. I was shooting Prvi Partizan 69gr 223 and the primers looked pierced. I’ll post pics soon.
1st and 2nd pic is the bolt without the firing pin. The third has the firing pin installed. I also hear the firing pin is supposed to be flush with the bolt.
What does the tip of the FP look like? It should be a smooth dome shape, w/o sharp edges.
From the pic it looks like a chunk is broken off yours but I can’t be sure.
If you have another AK firing pin you should be able to substitute it for a few rounds to see if the pierced primers go away or not. A standard AK firing pin isn’t going to have the collar for the FP rebound spring.
That is what I ended up doing. I should get it back this week as a matter fact. Since they only have a one year warranty, I was initially told to send the rifle and $50 in and it would be repaired. After they had it a few days, I was told that it did indeed need a new bolt assembly, which would require an additional $79.99. They also stated that my particular rifle seemed “well loved” an that they had made several other repairs and/ adjustments while they had it cracked open. I have yet not received documentation of what those repairs were, but I was assured that I would get a complete list of what was done.
I feel that I’ve been treated fairly through the ordeal, and kudos to their CS rep(s) for keeping me in the loop on everything. I’m just ready to have my rifle back since I started having this problem within 2 range trips of taking possession. I will definitely post the other repairs made once I know, just you guys will know how it went.
