AR clicking noise

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38snapcaps

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I just took delivery of an RRA AR-15 two days ago and promptly field stripped it for a cleaning. I studied my manual and a couple of Internet tutorials (with pictures) so I'm confident I have everything back together correctly. The function tests are all good.

I do have a question: As I was handling the rifle today I noticed a clicking sound as I tipped the rifle's muzzle up and down. It sounds like its coming from the bolt carrier area. What is it? Is it normal?
 
+1 for firing pin. All the ARs I know of us a freefloating firing pin, it will move back and forth as it pleases within the constraints of the two disks on the back of the pin hitting either side of the firing pin retaining pin.

Take the firing pin out and try your tipping test again, or move the bolt carrier back and forth outside of the upper receiver.

-Colin
 
It's most likely the fireing pin

- AR / M16 are rattle traps, some of the older rifles in the usmc inventory you can shake the gun and hear the bolt :uhoh:
 
Yeesh!


Firing pin shouldn't be moving that much to make an audible "click" noise when you tip it up and down. I tried this on both of my AR's and didn't hear a noise at all.


Not saying it can't be..either something is off, or you need to put some lube on the pin and bolt.
 
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I took out the bolt carrier, closed the rifle back up and could definitely tell the noise was the weight inside the buffer. I put my finger on the end of the tube and could even feel it. The noise was was being transmitted to the bolt carrier making it sound like it was the source.
 
I thought so. Not all buffers make that noise, but most do. The buffer has a loose weight inside. If you shake it back and forth, it makes click noise.

It is actually a good thing. The loose weight prevents "buffer bounce" at the moment of impact...when it slams forward, the loose weight slams forward sealing the deal. Kinda like those dead-blow hammers you find at hardware stores.
 
If it had been the firing pin, it would have meant that the retaining pin wasn't doing it's job because you shouldn't be able to hear the firing pin if it's buttoned up correctly.
 
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