A15 won't cycle

[ChiTownRunner]

I’ll begin by describing the problem. Then I’ll go through what I have done to find out WHAT the cause of the problem is.
I’ll let the board experts inform me how to resolve it. I’ll explain what I did to investigate the issue so as to reduce the suggested replies of what I already did.

Problem – My AR-15 with 16” barrel will not cycle.
PROBLEM – Went out to shoot, loaded a magazine and fired. The rifle fired but did not cycle. Removed the magazine, pulled the charging handle and locked the bolt back. Checked the chamber, the fired cartridge ejected when I pulled the charging handle. The chamber was clear. Re-inserted the magazine, released the bolt and fired a round. Same issue.

I checked the following:
With no magazine in I cycled the action numerous times and everything was running smoothly
Changed the BCG to see if that was the issue. Nope, same thing happened
Switched the bolt from another carrier thinking maybe the gas rings were bad. – Nope same issue
Removed the front handguards to see if the gas tube failed. Nope

NOW here is what happened next.
I inserted a spent cartridge into the chamber, released the bolt, pulled back on the charging handle, the bolt moved rearward approx. 1/16 of an inch and got stuck. While the gun was mounted on a fixture it took both hands on the charging handle to release the bolt.
Cycled the bolt again with no cartridge all went smoothly.

It appears that for whatever reason the bolt hangs up as it turns in the chamber and get hung-up on the locking lugs. Only happens with a cartridge in the chamber.

I’ve had this rifle since 1992. Never any problems till this.

Any suggestions ?

Thanks
Frank

[MegademiC]

Try a snap cap. Spent cartridges have different dimensions than fresh ones... or just try a live one in a safe area.

Inspect the barrel extension for flaws.

It actually sounds like your something is blockingyour gas system to me.

[Iraqgunz]

Information on the components, etc.. would probably be a big help.

[Butch]

Your weapon is older than some of the members of this forum. Barrel erosion altered your gas port in some way? Are you positive your gas tube is not split? I agree that something is amiss with the gas system.

[Scorpion]

Something is preventing the gas from getting to the bolt carrier group so it can cycle. Is the gas block aligned correctly?

[Clint]

Since the BCG was replaced to no avail, that leaves the gas tube and gas block as the likely culprits.

When was the last time this rifle was sucessfully fired and what, if anything, was done to it between then and now?

[ChiTownRunner]

It was not the gas system.

Sometimes the simplest thing evades us.

Thoroughly cleaned the rifle, changed ammo. Cycles perfectly. The stuff that was giving me the headache may have been the Winchester .223 Hollow Points. I'm sure the cleaning helped too. DUH !!!

I'll look further into the ammo situation to make sure but right now I'm up and running.

Thanks to all that posted with their ideas. I appreciate it.
Frank