Troubleshooting
7 expert answers on Troubleshooting. Practical guidance from a master gunsmith with 30+ years of experience.
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Why Is My AR-15 Failing to Eject? How Do I Fix Stovepipes?
The most common causes of failure to eject (stovepipes) are a weak or broken extractor spring, insufficient gas (underga…
My AR-15 Is Short Stroking — What Should I Check and Fix?
Short stroking means the bolt carrier is not traveling far enough rearward to pick up the next round or lock back on emp…
What Causes Light Primer Strikes on My AR-15?
Light primer strikes are most commonly caused by the hammer spring being installed incorrectly (legs under the trigger p…
Why Is My AR-15 Double Feeding? How Do I Fix It?
Double feeds occur when two rounds try to enter the chamber simultaneously. The most common causes are a worn or damaged…
Why Won't My AR-15 Bolt Lock Back on an Empty Magazine?
The bolt not locking back on an empty magazine is most commonly caused by undergassing (the bolt carrier does not travel…
Why Is My AR-15 Build Not Accurate? Common Accuracy Problems After Assembly
The most common accuracy problems on new AR-15 builds are an improperly torqued barrel nut (causing barrel movement), a …
AR-15 won't cycle right? Here's the first fix, in order.
A four-chapter diagnostic walk-through: identify over-gassed vs under-gassed, diagnose failures to eject, fix short-stro…
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