Legitimate AR15 failures

[CJ]

So, I had another failure on my M16 and it got me thinking, overall I own more AR15's than any other gun, and overall they've give me the least amount of problems until very recently, both the same gun. I had my forward assist break (jamming the shit out of the rifle) and then yesterday I had a several FTE's which were due to a worn out extractor spring. Both real minimal issues, but both things that could get you killed in combat I'm sure.

I'd like to hear some legit AR15 failures and see how commonly they occur. I should mention that the above problems are also from a 50 year old combat rifle. Also, that's the total of failures from my guns with about 20k rounds fired through all of them.

[YALE]

I've had a gas block come loose. Bolt-action AR, FTW.

[svauto-erotic855]

I have had lugs break off of the bolt but that doesn't cause a stoppage. The back of the buffer tube has also hammered out (factory defect part) on me before and that causes the rifle to stop working. Other failures were simply caused by dirt gumming up the lube and not allowing the BCG complete forward movement. Also had a KABOOM from a new out of the box Colt HBAR that fired out of battery on its first shot; Colt replaced it under warranty, paid my doctor bills and gave me some STFU cash and swag but never told me what the problem was.


Forgot to mention a really odd thing about the colt. The lower was trashed but the replacement had the same serial number on it (006823 I believe). If anyone comes across this rifle I would really like to have it back.

[CJ]

I have had lugs break off of the bolt but that doesn't cause a stoppage. The back of the buffer tube has also hammered out (factory defect part) on me before and that causes the rifle to stop working. Other failures were simply caused by dirt gumming up the lube and not allowing the BCG complete forward movement. Also had a KABOOM from a new out of the box Colt HBAR that fired out of battery on its first shot; Colt replaced it under warranty, paid my doctor bills and gave me some STFU cash and swag but never told me what the problem was.

On this same Colt M16 I fired 2,000 rounds through it with Vietnam era IMR-4198 and another 2k with current WC844 ball powder without a cleaning on both powders and never had a failure due to buildup. The WC844 did require some forward assist towards the end. Interesting issues on your end. I've also never had a lug break off but I know that can be a problem. Mostly it's attributed to poor machining though. Crazy about that colt, that is absolutely unacceptable. I don't even see how that's possible.

I've had a gas block come loose. Bolt-action AR, FTW.

This also should never happen, I'm sure it was not a taper pinned milspec AR15.

[Moose242]

My first semi-auto rifle that I ever bought was a Rock River M4 type rifle with a carbine length barrel (I still have it too). The first time I took it to the range it was a bolt action after about 10 shots, as the carrier key worked itself loose.

I have fielded the shit out of this rifle and it shows. I have roached the barrel and I have at least 5,000 rounds through it as I have bump fired magazine after magazine through it until shit was smoking and I had to wear gloves. The barrel is even rusty as I think I may have scorched the finish off of it somehow. That all being said, it has jammed more than any other gun I own. It will randomly double feed, fail to extract, etc. at least once every 3 magazines. When I was 18 and this was my only rifle I had much experience with I just kind of thought this was normal. This all being said, since it was my first semi auto rifle I have a connection to it and I will never get rid of it. Aside from the barrel and some marks from having been trekked through the woods it still looks good.

[CJ]

I've been playing with the idea of modeling an AR15 in 3d studio max and rendering/animating the complete operation so people can understand exactly how DI works. I've never seen one that was complete/accurate which shows the entire operation including the gas path/exit inside the BCG.

[Mach1]

I've been playing with the idea of modeling an AR15 in 3d studio max and rendering/animating the complete operation so people can understand exactly how DI works. I've never seen one that was complete/accurate which shows the entire operation including the gas path/exit inside the BCG.

That would be very cool

[CJ]

That would be very cool

Yeah but about 40 hours of modeling and animation. I might do it, sounds like a good learning exercise. that's a lot of time with the caliper and keyboard.

[slowyellow]

Yeah but about 40 hours of modeling and animation. I might do it, sounds like a good learning exercise. that's a lot of time with the caliper and keyboard.

But it would be cool, lol.

I have never had an issue with my AR. I had two that I built that I put less than 500 rds through, no issues there.

And I've got about 2,500 rounds through my LaRue with no issues, not even a hiccup. By far my favorite rifle to date.

[KBScobravert]

My 10.5" 5.56 pistol doesn't cycle well but it is due to buffer/spring combo. All my fault and not an issue cause the pistol tube is coming off for a carbine to SBR it.

CMMG lowers with Del-Ton LPKs had the pins walk out on one. No big deal, anti-rotate pins and problem solved. Probably could have been solved by reinstalling the trigger and checking the spring contact to the pin.

Out of the 11 that I have these are the only issues that I can recall.


Oh wait. I had an Adams Arms gas plug break a c-clip.