Today I was at the range with a used but new-to-me AR. the first round went downrange, but the case did not eject. In fact, it was stuck pretty damn well in the bolt, and I had to use needlenose pliars to ‘pull it’ off the bolt (the bolt was ‘stuck’ mid-chamber and I could see everything though the ejection port).
I tried it with a different mag and different ammo, same problem. I switched out the bolt from a friends AR, with zero problems.
Any thoughts or insight? I glave the bolt a cursory clean…does it need a better scrub and soak? Time for a new bolt?
Is there carbon or some such built up on the bolt face? How about the ejector? Does it return when you push it in? My bolt face measures .385DIA. across the face if that’s any help. I’d probably start by completely disassembling the bolt and cleaning it thoroughly, maybe replace the ejector assembly, and if that doesn’t do it then it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a spare bolt on hand. Be sure to wear eye pro. when disassembling the bolt! The ejector is under a lot of spring tension and can cause serious eye damage if it were to hit one. Brownell’s sells a couple good tools that make bolt disassembly easier for those of us with only two hands, if you decide to go that route.
I am seeing a trend with the cleaning and lubrication, both of which were very cursory and, in hindsight, likely inadequate. I did not spend a lot of time doing either with the bolt/BCG.
My ammo: 855 mil suprplus and brand new Remington .223. I even switched mags from a GI surplus to a Pmag.
I placed a round into the bolt and can’t feel or see any hang-ups.
When I traded the bolt from other AR it was the whole BCG and not just the bolt. The rifle shot like a champ with the other BCG.
