The charging handle is what cocks back the bolt mechanism in the rifle. Its sometime stuck and I can barely pull the charging handle back. Can't pull back charging handle with upper and lower receiver together AR-15 charging handle won't pull back. : r/guns - Reddit The bolt carrier is pushing against the charging handle. Now, the bolt isnt far enough along to use the forward assist to complete the cycle so what do you do? The fix for this is the same as the magazine-bred double-feed. To perform this and other tasks efficiently and to prevent wear and tear on your AR its important to implement the proper techniques when using the handle catch/release in tandem, as well as when using them independently. Can You Use an AR-15 Charging Handle In an AR-10? How to Fix Common AR-15 Malfunctions and Stoppages, Defective Rounds / Ammunition Borne Feed Malfunction, AR-10 / LR-308 Complete Upper Receiver Assemblies, AR-10/LR-308 Buffers, Buffer Tubes, and Kits, Shop All AR-15 Complete Upper Receiver Assemblies, Shop All AR-10 / LR-308 Complete Upper Receiver Assemblies, Shop All AR-10 / LR-308 Upper Receiver Parts, Shop All AR-10 / LR-308 Lower Receiver Parts, Shop All Handgun Barrels & Muzzle Devices, Shop All Bipods / Monopods & Accessories, Tap your magazine to be sure it is properly seated. It is more efficient to use the tap, rack and reassess method, but with the rifle angled with the ejection port down so that you can get a little help from Newtons friend, gravity. If you have ever failed to chamber the first round and pulled the trigger with no results, you have experienced a stoppage caused by human error. A malfunction is a failure of the mechanical, or working parts of the AR system or a failure of the ammunition itself. When the charging handle is pulled completely to the rear, it is under spring tension of the buffer spring pushing against the bolt carrier. The charging handle on your AR-15 should pull back easily, and if it doesnt, there are a few problems that could be happening. [ARCHIVED THREAD] - Can't pull back charging handle with upper and lower receiver together. Failure to fire is a fairly small category of malfunctions suffered by the AR-15. As the bolt carrier is pulled back, it also pulls the bolt located inside the carrier with it, which extracts any spent casings in the chamber of the barrel. Right-handers use their left thumb to engage the catch; lefties use the index finger of the right hand. The BCG is hanging on the trigger. Good quality AR-15 parts will save you a lot of trouble. I use either Brownells, Palmetto State Armory, or Optics Planet to buy parts, that way I always know what Im getting and that it will actually show up. Many AR owners like to upgrade their firearms and the charging handle is one of the simplest and most cost effective upgrades you can make. The most common reason an AR-15 has trouble pulling back is because the charging handle is warped. If you have a collapsible type stock, then check to see that the stock is in proper alignment, as some of the collapsible type stocks (M4, CAR, etc) have a flat spot on the top front area that the charging handle needs to go over as you manually cycle the action. AR-15 charging handle won't pull back. You can not use an AR-15 charging handle in an AR-10 upper receiver because the AR-10 has a larger bolt carrier and upper receiver assembly. The charging handle is only operated manually. If there is nothing obviously wrong with the magazine, there are a couple of other problems that are commonly experienced with larger volume magazines. Tape the casing with the cleaning rod to chase it back out of the chamber. AR-15 malfunctions may be due to an irregularity in the performance of the rifle itself, the magazine used to deliver ammunition to the rifle or a problem with the ammunition itself. Next, use the index finger to unlatch. McKee can be reached at www.shootrite.org. If the stock is rotated out of alignment, then the charging handle can bind up at the front top of the stock. I worked as a 45B Small Arms Repairer in the Army and since then I've been enjoying the hobby. Charging Handle Will Not Pull Back! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!!! Place a cleaning rod in the barrel from the muzzle end. Without the magazine inserted you should be just fine to rack it freely. Scan this QR code to download the app now. Learn how your comment data is processed. However, you dont use the handle to perform an empty reload; for that, you use the bolt catch as a release. Short Recoil see the section above on short stroke due to dirt, debris, and fouling. Most of the stoppages that are cleared in this manner would be considered type 1, simple stoppages that may not have a specific known source. AR-15 Wont Load Next Round: Common Cycling Issues and How to Fix, Are Ar-15 Magazines Interchangeable? Before you go any further, simply be sure that your magazine is loaded properly and solidly seated. Failure to Feed (FTF) Failure to feed (FTF) is one of the most common malfunctions you'll encounter as a gun owner. The charging handle not pulling back on your rifle could signify significant problems on the inside. I just finished building my first AR-15. Complete Guide. There are many options; some folks could have misread the measurements or misunderstood their rifle type. We have suspended all shipments to Washington residents due to the signing of HB1240. Obviously, if you do find damage to the firing pin, it will require replacement. The side charging handle can charge a weapon and eject spent casings the same way a traditional charging handle can. Apply steady pressure. AR-15 Won't Pull Back: Common Charging Handle Issues and Solutions Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more. When one of these things occurs, what youre experiencing is a stoppage of your AR system. Sorry, this post was deleted by the person who originally posted it. A place for responsible gun owners and enthusiasts to talk about guns without the politics. Here, again, the strong hand is used to pull back on the charging handle, while the support hand is positioned at the magwell of the lower receiver. I'm guessing I have a bolt that's out of spec. If it is: There are several causes that may be identified for extraction failures: The end of cycle malfunction. Cookie Notice It's not the charging handle or the stock. If you have frequent double-feeds and youre a fan of 30-round mags, you just might be creating your own malfunction. The charging handle and bolt catch are critical components of the AR. If you spend enough time around tactical guys, youll find out that the average buffer spring in an AR-15 isnt as strong as you might think. It sounds simple, right? Charging handle would not pull back. If you can see that the barrel is obstructed your rifle will need to spend some time on the bench, this isnt a field serviceable malfunction. Neckbone Armory also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own. The first attempt to remedy any stoppage of an AR-15 should be what those in the know call Immediate Action: "Tap, Rack, and Reassess.". It is possible that an unfired cartridge could be in the chamber. Normally, the strong hand maintains its grip on the AR, and the support hand is used to operate the charging handle, which is a three-step process: First, position the thumb of the support hand on the back of the handle in its center. Some benefits of a side charging handle include, a better look to some shooters, a more ergonomic feel, easier to use, and they dont interfere with some optics like the rear charging handles sometimes do. One new winner* is announced every week! When the handle is warped, it will grind against the other metal pieces of the rifle and create friction. The double-feed is only made worse by the fact that your buffer spring is keeping pressure on the problem. In either case, a cartridge is left in the chamber. If the malfunction recurs, you will need to complete troubleshooting and address the problem. The easiest solution is an extended latch type of charging handle. AR Basics: Mastering The Nuances of Charging Handle And Bolt Release. Then, using the elbow (not the shoulder), cycle the handle aggressively, pulling it straight to the rear. If the failure to eject malfunction is a recurring problem and it is not resolved by giving your weapon a good cleaning and proper lubrication treatment, it is best to just go ahead and replace the ejector and extractor springs as well as the extractor. If the user tries to slide the charging handle forward themselves they may actually slow down the intended operation which can cause a failure to load a round. Maybe you need to know how to clear a double feed. Warping is the most severe problem you can have with a charging handle. "Rack" pull the charging handle of your AR-15 back swiftly with ample force and release it . The extra few bucks for an upgraded charging handle will seem like a no brainer in that moment. The handle and bolt catch are used together to manually lock the bolt open. Dirt, debris, and soot are an invitation for failure to feed malfunctions. Other common reasons include the weapon being dirty, charging handle coating, and after market parts. The AR style rifles have been a go-to for shooting enthusiasts for decades now. Heres a quick video showing the process, with written steps below: To remove an AR-15 charging handle the upper must be removed from the lower receiver or at least separated by removing the rear takedown pin. Strike upward against the charging handle taking care not to break it. But, first, remember that when the handle on the rifle does not pull back, you should remove the magazine and any ammunition that might be stuck in the chamber. You can misalign the ammunition inside the magazine or, if its backed by a strong magazine spring, you could even knock loose a round to try to jump into the chamber prematurely. Left-handed shooters should use the right hand to feed a fresh mag and their trigger finger to release the bolt. Stubbed rounds are no fun. The steps to remove the coating from a charging handle are: If theres too much paint on the charging handle, you will know by the fact it is hard to charge, and if it does, it wont return the bolt to battery. Without a charging handle, the user couldnt load a round into the chamber to ready the weapon for firing. Just finished my build and no ammo through it as of yet. Hi my name is Neckbone and I started this site because I love firearms and shooting sports. What's really annoying is that it can happen at any time. To resolve a stovepipe jam that you have visually identified, you may simply be able to sweep across the ejection port and dislodge the offending empty with a simple hand motion. This malfunction can be difficult to resolve. The strong hand comes off the grip to the charging handle. This is a double-feed. The most common issue I see with the AR is students letting their support hand impede the handle and bolt groups forward movement. AR-15 mortaring technique unjam a stuck bolt & charging - YouTube Moral of the story, clean, properly maintained rifles rarely short cycle. Thats almost certain to cause the kind of injury that could end your shooting career. Copyright 1996-2023 AR15.COM LLC. In fact, you can actually torque the handle out of shape. If this doesnt solve your problem, you may have a more complex stoppage such as the stovepipe jam. In addition, the charging handle is used to manually cycle the bolt group. This creates a stoppage, requiring additional manipulations. By removing some of the coatings or paint, you can free up space for the charging handle to move freely in its track. Immediate Action: " Tap, Rack, and Reassess ". The charging handle will return to its forward position if the bolt carrier is not locked to the rear. The name charging handles comes from the fact that its the handle used to charge or load the rifle. The biggest trick to installing the charging handle is that the bolt must be pulled forward on the bolt carrier group (BCG) in order for them to slide freely into the upper. Stoppages may be caused by simple human error or by mechanical malfunction. So I guess the SA Carrier is out of spec. Pull the bolt all the way back and lock it in place. In regards to the trigger group, I purchased the DPMS LPK and upgraded that trigger by using the JP Enterprises Trigger Spring (yellow), the AR15 Trigger Adjuster, and the KNS Hammer and Trigger Pins Non-Rotate upgrade. In fact, the going estimate is that 90 to 95 percent of all stoppages can be resolved with a quick run through of this process. While this one isnt as common as some others, its one of those malfunctions that spawns a jam that everyone on the range makes out to be a national emergency. The charging handle assembly is used to manually cycle the bolt group during loading and unloading, and while clearing malfunctions and stoppages. There are a number of things that can contribute to failure to feed/chamber malfunctions. Imagine a scenario where youre butt naked trying to clear a malfunction in the middle of the night in the pitch dark to save your loved ones. A common cause of failure to chamber is that the bolt carrier group has not moved forward with enough force to complete the operation of feeding/chambering ammunition or to lock the bolt in place. You said you had an empty magazine inserted? How to Fix, Why Does My Glock Rattle? Theres three things that can happen when the charging handle is released. Magnum Research Debuts The .500 Linebaugh BFR. Many basic stoppage situations can be remedied immediately in the field and will not necessarily repeat themselves. AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types. Lefties can install an ambidextrous charging handle with a release on each side. Maybe, but simple and smooth are not the same thing. Without a charging handle the user cant load a round into the chamber to fire the weapon. There is an empty mag installed (PMAG Gen 3 5.56). There are easy fixes for your charging handle issues, as long as you know what you are dealing with. If you guys know what probably happened or . Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited. In order to determine which cause has created your failure to fire malfunction, inspect the round which failed to go off. With the Ejection Port Cover open, the bolt is exposed about 1/4". Once youve taken the pressure off the stuck round(s) youll need to rip out your magazine. All Rights Reserved. Youll pay more than most standard charging handles but the ease of use is worth it. I'm using a matching Aero upper and lower on the gun that won't work. AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types. Then, using the elbow (not the shoulder), cycle the handle aggressively . Either of which will inevitably cause AR-15 jamming. A charging handle on an AR-15 charges or loads the weapon. As always, perform immediate action to attempt to resolve your stoppage. Nous partageons galement des informations sur votre usage de notre site avec nos rseaux sociaux, publicitaires et partenaires d'analyse. Swapping out charging handles is one of the easier upgrade you can make to your AR-15. If the indentation in the primer appears to be of normal depth, the round is defective and should be disposed of safely. Just dont load those big mags clear full. It will require fairly aggressive handling to gain the space you will need to clear the stuck round. Incorrect technique could also break the latch, allowing the charging handle to follow the bolt back, thereby impacting your head. On examination the operator identifies a bolt over brass malfunction. It may be helpful to compare the primer to that of an empty cartridge that was successfully fired. The most common AR-15 malfunctions are: failure to feed, failure to fire, short stroke, failure to eject, and failure to extract. If youve ruled out a routine loading issue, but swapping out magazines resolved your malfunction, there are a few things you can look for when you get back to the suspect magazine. You may have heard stories of AR-15 jamming, failure to feed, and short stroke and wonder what causes them. Once the handle has reached full extension, allow it to strip from your hand: Release it as you would a bowstring, allowing the bolt group to snap forward under full spring pressure. Then you have the latch and spring on the handle portion. Using the Tap & Tug loading procedure is second nature to many shooters, and can help the shooter new to the AR platform to avoid a lot of issues that might look like a feeding malfunction at first blush. What Is A Charging Handle On an AR-15? Complete Guide Failure to Feed. The bolt carrier is pulled into the buffer tube compressing a spring, it pushes down on the hammer latching it to the trigger and charging the weapon. Once the rifle is secure, look into the barrel to see if the bullet is lodged inside. After cycling the handle with the support hand, its repositioned on the handguard. While we consider the double-feed a simple stoppage, magazine function often contributes to this type of stoppage. Using pliers or a rubber mallet is your best option if there has been severe damage, do what you need to but be careful not to damage any other pieces. And, as it is with any piece of precision machinery, its up to you to learn it well. The reason for the non-Milspec items is that the gas system is an Osprey Gas Piston system (mid-length). If it is damaged, the barrel will need to be replaced. I have seen such cases and the issue has been the bolt or a slightly bent charging handle if you are clearing the lower flat top. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. It is always best to simply release the charging handle and let the buffer spring do the work of returning the bolt carrier. Move the bolt into the rear position by keeping pressure on the charging handle and bumping the butt of your rifle on the ground. Gas systems are also at risk of not holding enough pressure to properly cycle when they become fouled. To perform an empty reload when the bolt is locked to the rear, its best to use the bolt catch as a bolt release. The strong hand pulls the handle slightly to the rear, allowing you to confirm theres a round chambered or that the chamber is clear. Take hold of the charging handle and move finger from the bolt. Since nothings really wrong, well deal with it here, as a simple stoppage. If thats what youre looking for then I suggest the Strike AR-15 Charging Handle Here because its better quality than most standard mil-spec charging handles but still at a budget price. NHCC Sunday Service Pt.2 | 4/30/23 - Facebook It pulls the bolt carrier to the rear which opens the breech, ejects spent rounds, and cocks the hammer in one fluid motion. There are parts out there, and all it will take to get them is a little more time and effort. The other ten percent will require the operator to use his or her fingers to clear the brass by sweeping them though the magazine well. Receive exclusive deals, new product announcements and need to know information. If In doubt, rip it out and replace it with another fresh magazine. So why wont the charging handle on my AR-15 pull back? Bump the rifle butt stock on a firm surface to dislodge the remaining round. After a difficult episode with a piece of damaged ammunition, be sure to check for safe function of your firearm before resuming operation. Here is the parts I used that are relevant to my issue: Make sure the charging handle is not catching on the top of the lock plate of the stock when you pull it back. One of the main components needed in an AR-15 is a charging handle. We are assessing which products can be legally shipped. It has many uses and can be tricked out with many after-market pieces that resemble something from a science fiction film. Theyre simple to use as long as you use the correct technique. As far as the bolt being exposed is concerned, you are probably riding the charging handle instead of letting the BCG slam home freely. If you were to feed another live cartridge you could create a catastrophic explosion. When I pull back on the charging handle (BCM Gunfighter), it clicks at the full retraction point and is then loose, i.e., no spring tension to bring it back forward. I then pulled my other SA bolt from my 6.8 and swapped everything over and it worked just fine. Some ways to protect against buying the wrong charging handle are: After-market parts are a big reason people buy the AR-15 platform. Some rifles absolutely need an upgraded charging handle because the mounted optic is getting in the way. This should allow the round to come loose. To get an upgrade over the standard charging handle I suggest the Strike Extended Latch Charging Handle Found Here because it only costs a little more than a standard charging handle but adds the convenience of an extended latch. Can You Use an AR-15 Charging Handle In an AR-9? How's MT doing? It occurs when a round fails to load into the chamber of an AR from the magazine. An AR-15 side changing handle is a variation of a traditional AR-15 upper receiver where the charging handle is on the side of the upper receiver instead of at the top rear. Right-handed shooters use their snake fangs to grasp the handle; left-handers use the right-hand technique described above. If it is dented or bulged, the magazine may not allow ammunition to move properly into the rifle. Accumulation of fouling, soot and debris that are a by-product of firing the rifle itself can cause a failure to feed malfunction by slowing or restricting the movement of the bolt carrier group, causing it to fail to cycle completely rearward. G43X And G48: Solidifying The Glock 9mm Slimline Series, Best AR-15 Accessories And Upgrades (2023). The first thing you will need to do is pull the bolt back and lock it in the rearward position. Common Causes and What Can be Done to Prevent It, Why a Glock Will Stovepipe: Failure to Eject Issues Resolved, Which Revolver Is Most Powerful? Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Privacy Policy. When the bullet has been forced back into a cartridge, its likely to hang up on its way forward or go any way but straight causing a jam. Once the handle is bent, the bolt carrier cant reciprocate and the AR ceases to function. Common Causes and What Can be Done to Prevent It, Why a Glock Will Stovepipe: Failure to Eject Issues Resolved, Which Revolver Is Most Powerful? These are malfunctions of your AR system. There are plenty of guys running 29 rounds in 30-round magazines who never have to figure out how to clear a double feed. In regards to lubing and/or oiling the different parts, I went by the YouTube video that MidwayUSA put together on both the upper and the lower. 299 views, 7 likes, 16 loves, 55 comments, 2 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from New Hope Community Church: 4/30/23 At one time, or another, it is likely that you will encounter a situation where your AR doesn't behave as you expect it to. Remove the excess coating with a grinder, and be sure to remove only the amount needed to make the handle function properly. On the next cycle, a live round may be fed and forced into the base of the case that was left behind.