Issues with a brand new Colt AR-15A3

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theoctopus

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Recently picked up a brand new Colt AR-15A3. Took it out to the range today for the first time. Ran a few rounds of Hornaday Match ammo through it, and then started to have some troubles.

The bolt seems to bind a little bit toward the end of its travel (when it is completely inserted into its respective location). This means that sometimes the bolt does not return completely after a round is ejected when chambering a new round. Using the assist, I was always able to chamber the round properly, but it happened a few times....and I don't think it's supposed to be like that. I chalked that up to improper factory lubrication of the moving parts, and a stiff gun (as most are when new).

Then, after a few more rounds, when the gun was hot and ready to fire, the trigger wouldn't pull through. For some reason, with a round chambered properly, and all other internal mechanisms in their right places, the trigger would not strike the firing pin and fire the round.

Anyone have any ideas? I'm going to take it back to the shop I purchased it from and see what they have to say. I'd really like to avoid having to send it back to Colt. I'd rather be able to be at the range every day I can while the weather is still agreeable.
 
New guns do not come from the factory ready to be shot. They may sit in a warehouse or in the back room of a gun shop for who knows how long before they are bought. They come from the factory with PRESERVATIVE GREASE on them for long term storage. Clean the gun and properly lubricate it. It will run a lot better.

I have no idea about your trigger issue. AR triggers are pretty darned simple.
 
It has been thoroughly cleaned and lubricated, minus the trigger assembly, which has partially solved the stickiness of the bolt carriage. I have no idea how to take the trigger apart and go through it piece by piece. Anyone have a direction to send me in?
 
What model of Colt did you purchase? 6920? 6721?

As others stated, a gun is not ready to fire from the factory. It should be disassembled, cleaned and heavily oiled before you fire it. Here are a few things you can try.

Separate the upper from the lower and turn the upper up side down. Using your fingers move the bolt forward and backwards. You should be able to feel any point where it binds. It will naturally get a little harder to move near the end of its forward movement when the locking lugs engage with the barrel extension. However other than this it should be fairly smooth although with a new gun there may be a bit of resistance along the entire range of movement. What you are looking for here is any true binding or scraping.


Now your trigger problem confuses me. I think it may have to do with the bolt not going fully into battery but checking the function is easy. Take the lower and make sure the hammer is pushed down and engaged with the sear. Hold the lower normally and place your reaction side thumb on the hammer. Take the safety off and pull the trigger don't remove your thumb but let the hammer ride forward slowly. Don't let it slam forward as this could damage parts of the gun when the upper is not attached. The spring should be fairly strong and this is one of the things you are checking for here. As long as you are able to freely move the hammer and the spring feels strong then your Trigger group is ok.

I don't suggest dissembling the FCG unless you really know what you are doing. 1: it can be a pain and 2: if done incorrectly you can hurt the gun or yourself.

If it is the bolt that is binding we can narrow it down from there. It could be something as simple as the Firing pin retaining pin dragging on something or any number of other things. But we need to know where and how it is binding first.
 
You sound like someone in dire need of Clint McKee's simple little book on the dissassembly, assembly, and safe operation of the AR rifle obtainable in his websiite : http://www.fulton-armory.com/

It'll guide all through the rifle, step by step,and with pictures and hints about where you can go wrong throughout. It's only about $15. Doesn't tell BS stories like more than one notable book, just walks through the rifle with no side trips or egotrips at all.
 
Azizza: the bolt carrier moves freely up until the end of its travel, where it engages some sort of locking mechanism and is a little more difficult to move. The bolt, on the other hand, does not move while inside of the bolt carrier engaged in its proper location. Should it move freely? Just to be sure I'm talking about the right thing, I am referring to the piece that extends from the bolt carrier and rotates and moves forward and back (has a notch on top of the bolt carrier to move within). The trigger group definitely has something wrong with it, though. I've been testing trigger function off and on since the range yesterday, and every now and then something feels like it jams within the mechanism, and I cannot release the hammer. Then something inside the mechanism will click without any provocation, and the trigger can again be pulled.

krs: thanks for the reference. I have the equivalent book for my m1a, and it has come in very handy on numerous occasions. I will the AR-15 varietal to be sure.

Thanks everyone for your help.
 
Oh, and prior to firing the rifle I did a complete breakdown and cleaned and lubed all parts to be sure. I may be relatively new to the sport, but I'm not that ignorant.
 
Assuming I am not able to fix it myself tonight, I will be taking it back to the shop to have the AR guy there deal with it. If he is not capable of rectifying the issue with the firearm he just sold me, I will either return it for a new one or send it off to Colt.

Any additional help would still be appreciated. I believe the issue resides in the trigger group.
 
The catch you are sounding like sounds like the sear being engaged but it is hard to tell. Something could also be stuck in the mechanics. blown primers are known to do this but that is unlikely. Any chance of some close up photos of the trigger group?
 
I'm not sure how to remove the trigger group from the rifle. Would pictures of it still installed in the lower be of any use?
 
everything in that lower looks good except for one thing. way too dry. maybe you wiped it down for the pics.

it sounds to me like your just really dry, and the resistance your feeling is the cam pin when the bolt is collapsing into the carrier as it goes into battery.

edit: just saw it was fixed.

so,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,what was it?
 
This was my first AR, so I was unaware of how to break it down to completion. The rifle had been on the shelf for a year, so the factory grease had plenty of time to solidify and cause all sorts of issues with the internals.

I sat down today with a breakdown guide and pulled everything apart, gave it a good clean and lube, and reassembled. The rifle performed flawlessly at the range after the process. Just goes to show a good education on any new firearm solves quite a bit. It was my fault for jumping headfirst into a new platform with no real education.
 
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