New AR15 owner need some help

[lukeforcali]

I recently bought a S+W M+P 15 Sport for a reasonable price. I am new to AR15's, I have one other but it is chambered in .22lr and am using a red dot sight so I do not have this problem.

My new AR15 5.56 has significantly more recoil and I am using a 4 x 28 Barska electro scope. When I am looking into the scope I keep thinking the charging bolt is going to hit me in the face when I fire. I have shot the gun before and it does not but I am not sure how close I am. Anyone experience this?

 

[kyhunter]

you are worried the charging bolt will do what?

 

[TechBrute]

If you mean the charging handle (the T-shaped handle behind the rear sight) you don't need to worry. It locks in place and is not a reciprocating part. You will find that some people shoot the AR15 with their nose touching the charging handle.

 

[kyhunter]

once you push it back home it shouldnt be moving..

 

[mf-dif]

It doesn't move...and the recoil is light as hell. Just loud.

 

[HOOfan_1]

Field strip the gun and you will see how it works...the gas tube goes through it into the gas key. So there is nothing that can push it back...plus it is latched to the upper.

Oddly enough, I was watching a Futureweapons the other day, and it almost looked like the charging handle on the Knights Armament PDW was reciprocating....I am thinking perhaps it was just jumping with the recoil because it did not latch to the upper.

 

[lukeforcali]

Thanks for not flaming me. So the charging handle does not move back and forth when firing? Good to know, i'm not sure why I felt it did.

 

[kyhunter]

No its not a problem, but how about make it a learning experience. Have you pulled the bolt out and looked how the charging handle actually functions. Its pretty simple. But hey we all had to start somewhere.

Looks like someone beat me to it sorry for the double

 

[Milamber]

Probably heard the bolt cycling and the buffer working. As rifles go its on the low side when it comes to recoil.

 

[Bovice]

So when you shot it for the first time, were you holding it far away from your face? Lol

 

[MrCleanOK]

Try firing with the tip of your nose touching the charging handle. This is something I do out of habit, and is a tip that can help new shooters learn the fundamental of establishing a consistent sight picture.

 

[holdencm9]

It's not really that odd to think that. In most guns, the handle that charges the bolt cycles back and forth with the action during the firing of the gun. The AR is somewhat unique in that the charging handle is a 1-way street. It can only pull, it can't push.

To the OP, just if you are curious, the design of the charging handle is one reason the forward assist was requested by the military. This is the round knob on the right side toward the rear. If the bolt fails to go into battery (all the way forward), you can't just pound on the charging handle like with an AK or something. Hence, the "forward assist." You give that a little push and the bolt will go the rest of the way forward. Don't smash it though. If your bolt won't go into battery with a light push then you may have other problems.

Just for fun, watch AR cycling in slow motion here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtWkNYc1Ip8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfoKl3H6r8w

As you can see, the bolt cycles back and forth inside the receiver, charging handle stays put. This other video shows a closeup on the bolt in slow motion. You can see the puff of gas shoot out which starts the bolt to the rear, and see how the extractor/ejector work in conjunction to make the empty brass fly away, and how it strips a new round from the magazine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnovh3w2qRM&feature=fvwp

Most actions cycle in the blink of an eye, so slow motion is useful to see how things are actually working. And they are fun. Enjoy your AR!

 

[adelbridge]

A lot of what is going on is a psychological response to the report of the weapon. 16" AR-15s are louder than most long action hunting rifles plus you have the bolt cycling milimeters under your face. You will get a loud twang sound from the buffer spring right under your ear. Spend some time with the gun and you will get used to it. the military teachs to touch your nose to the charging T with open sights.

 

[a-sheepdog]

Once you go out and put a few rounds through it I think that you will realize that it is easy to shoot and alot of fun. Loud but no recoil to worry about. Should be really accurate as well, enjoy.

 

[Walkalong]

Congrats on picking up a nice Ar 15. You'll get used to the feel and sound of the recoil in no time. It's quite a bit different than a bolt gun.

 

[sfed]

Congrats on the AR 15, poke around on you tube and you will find some good quality segments to learn how to take care of yourr addition to the family!! Also there are some that leave a lot to be desired but most try to do a decent job of educating in their film bytes!!!

 

[sfed]

I have to add that since I picked up a Colt A 2 Match HBAR late last year before the lunacy took over on the ammo and reloading supplies my Ruger mini 14 has felt like a step child.

 

[hentown]

If the charging handle moved back-and-forth, there'd be a lot of one-eyed AR-shooters! A red dot shouldn't require eye relief, anyhow. Try the excellent Bushnell TRS-25. There's currently a 20% rebate.

 

[daveit]

If the charging handle moved back-and-forth, there'd be a lot of one-eyed AR-shooters! A red dot shouldn't require eye relief, anyhow. Try the excellent Bushnell TRS-25. There's currently a 20% rebate.

Thanks for the heads up... I just ordered a TRS-25.