Headspace issue?

[bigfelipe]

Lemme ask you guys a question. My AR is still not operating. I just put a new barrel on it to fix the gas port alignment issue. That's good to go now.

New problem. It won't go into battery with a round chambered easily (forward assist is useless in this case) and it's very difficult to get the bolt lugs to unlock if it is in battery. I mean nearly impossible. This is with .223 in 5.56 chambers too by the way.

This sounds to me like a headspace issue. I don't have a go or no-go gauge. I ordered a go gauge a few minutes ago. I do however have another AR. I took my RRA bolt apart and tried it and vice versa. The new bolt works in my RRA, the RRA bolt doesn't work in the new AR. I compared the bolts they appear identical. With no round chambered I can twist either bolt in my RRA chamber. With no round chambered I can just barely get the bolt to twist in the new AR.

Headspace is too tight, right? I mean if it won't close on a .223 it definitely won't on a 5.56.

I'm going to wait til the go gauge comes in and check it before I call the company about another new barrel. Suggestions on other things I can check? Ideas? Fixes?

[5pins]

I assume you’re not using reloads. Try some different ammo.

[bigfelipe]

Would different ammo really matter? I was trying to shoot .223 out of a 5.56 chamber. It's shorter, albeit very minimally. I tried 2 kinds of factory .223. If I could find an ammo that worked I would be stuck using that ammo exclusively. That would make for a worthless rifle IMO.

[Iraqgunz]

What type of barrel are you using now? What type of AR do you have? Who makes the BCG?

Are you sure that the barrel was seated all the way into the upper with alignment pin going into the notch?

Have you tried to chamber a round by pulling back the charging handle and allowing the BCG to fly forward the correct way instead of feeding it forward?

Is the gas tube aligned properly?

Why did you buy a GO gage when the TM uses a Field gage? Did you get a 5.56 gage or a .223 gage? There are differences.

Try being a little more specific with what components you are using so we don't have to play 20 questions. My guess is that something is seriously out of spec, or assembled improperly.

Lemme ask you guys a question. My AR is still not operating. I just put a new barrel on it to fix the gas port alignment issue. That's good to go now.

New problem. It won't go into battery with a round chambered easily (forward assist is useless in this case) and it's very difficult to get the bolt lugs to unlock if it is in battery. I mean nearly impossible. This is with .223 in 5.56 chambers too by the way.

This sounds to me like a headspace issue. I don't have a go or no-go gauge. I ordered a go gauge a few minutes ago. I do however have another AR. I took my RRA bolt apart and tried it and vice versa. The new bolt works in my RRA, the RRA bolt doesn't work in the new AR. I compared the bolts they appear identical. With no round chambered I can twist either bolt in my RRA chamber. With no round chambered I can just barely get the bolt to twist in the new AR.

Headspace is too tight, right? I mean if it won't close on a .223 it definitely won't on a 5.56.

I'm going to wait til the go gauge comes in and check it before I call the company about another new barrel. Suggestions on other things I can check? Ideas? Fixes?

[Iraqgunz]

I would use dummy rounds or factory ammo so that you know the brass is sized correctly.

Would different ammo really matter? I was trying to shoot .223 out of a 5.56 chamber. It's shorter, albeit very minimally. I tried 2 kinds of factory .223. If I could find an ammo that worked I would be stuck using that ammo exclusively. That would make for a worthless rifle IMO.

[bigfelipe]

I would use dummy rounds or factory ammo so that you know the brass is sized correctly.

I used factory ammo.

What type of barrel are you using now? What type of AR do you have? Who makes the BCG?

The barrel is a Roggio Arsenal 5.56 M4 contour.

Bolt is a mil-spec CMT/STAG(immaterial) however my RRA bolt has the same issue.


Are you sure that the barrel was seated all the way into the upper with alignment pin going into the notch?

Yes. the barrel was installed correctly. The headspace has nothing to do with the receiver. It's all about the chamber and barrel extension in conjunction w/ the bolt. The barrel is not on the reciever when headspaced.

Have you tried to chamber a round by pulling back the charging handle and allowing the BCG to fly forward the correct way instead of feeding it forward?

Yes. It will go into battery sometimes in this manner. The action should function correctly without extreme force. As I stated earlier, you can't close it by hand even with the forward assist. Once closed it's incredibly difficult to get it back out of battery. Ejecting a round should be easy to do by hand

Is the gas tube aligned properly?

The carrier doesn't even come into play with the bolt lug/chamber lock-up

Why did you buy a GO gage when the TM uses a Field gage? Did you get a 5.56 gage or a .223 gage? There are differences.

I believe the field guage is a pointless item. It tells you nothing a no-go can't tell you. It also can't act as a go gauge. I got a go gauge because below minimum headpace is the suspected problem.

Try being a little more specific with what components you are using so we don't have to play 20 questions. My guess is that something is seriously out of spec, or assembled improperly.

Brand name is immaterial IMO. Assembly (beyond the barrel) and headspace are unrelated. The barrel is headspaced when the extension is installed.

I'm looking for validation of my suspicions or a secondary possible cause.
PS If I'm out of line, I apologize. This is frustrating...

[Iraqgunz]

Brand does mean something because we have seen it all too often that someone has purchased Brand XXX which is known to be inconsistent in their quality control, which means they make or get barrels and barrel extensions that are not within spec.

I used factory ammo. I stated that.




I'm looking for validation of my suspicions or a secondary possible cause, not to be talked to like some kid with his 1st .22 plinker. If you aren't wanting to help constructively, don't reply please.

PS If I'm out of line, I apologize. This is frustrating...

[Iraqgunz]

Well you are obviously smarter than I when it comes to the AR platform. Good luck to you.

I used factory ammo. I stated that.




I'm looking for validation of my suspicions or a secondary possible cause, not to be talked to like some kid with his 1st .22 plinker. If you aren't wanting to help constructively, don't reply please.

PS If I'm out of line, I apologize. This is frustrating...

[jmart]

If HS checks out it might a tight chamber, or a finishing issue with the chamber.

[bigfelipe]

If HS checks out it might a tight chamber, or a finishing issue with the chamber.

I'm betting the headspace is short. I did order a go gauge.

That's a good thought on the chamber though. Hadn't considered the chamber being tight. I'll find some 5.56 and see if it will slide in the chamber on it's own.

What do you mean about the finish? Like too rough or something? I don't know how to check something like that. You'd have to separate the barrel and extension wouldn't you?

I have a gunsmith, but don't know how versed he is with issues like this and I would prefer to save the time and money of taking it to him. He's great with finish work and such, but I feel like with the right tools I'm as capable of handling most issues with my firearms.

Thanks.