My AR platform SBR build has been dragging out over many years. It all started decades ago when I picked up a Bushmaster 10" 1/9 HBAR barrel on eBay. This was purely an impulse buy, I had no idea what to do with it, and was questioning if I could even legally possess it, but I was young and it was cool! Years went on, and I went back and forth on if I wanted to extend the barrel and make a rifle, or if I wanted to try and build a pistol. One day, after moving to Pennsylvania, I heard about this whole NFA deal, which I am fairly certain would have been prohibited by laws in my home state. I was like, "What? The same jack-booted thug ATF that burnt down the Waco compound was going to let me build and own such a weapon?" It was then I finally figured out what I wanted to do, and how I had to do it. BTW, I discovered along the way that ATF agents are not the jack-booted thugs I once feared, and were actually quite reasonable people doing a difficult job. I was finally on my way! Purchased all my parts and pieces, researched, sought advice on how to navigate the process, and after years of dreaming, I got my Tax Stamp a few years back. Legally, I'm ready. Functionally, well that's a whole other story.

I'll get into it for a little, throw some things together, hit the range, then I'll put it down for a while. Needless to say, even the most simple of tasks can turn into a year-long endeavor. My issue is in the cycling. Some rounds it will fail to feed, others will fail to extract. Two different issues, handled from opposite ends of the rifle. Barrel is stamped 5.56, and I have a mixture of .223 and 5.56 that I have been firing thinking (incorrectly) they were the same thing. I quickly realized this was my first task, to isolate the ammo and clarify the issue.

Swung by Walmart on my way to the range and picked up two fresh boxes of economy ammo: Winchester 5.56 and American Eagle .223 (this was before I understood the difference). When firing Winchester 5.56, it fails to extract. When firing the American Eagle .223, it fails to feed. If I am not incorrect, 5.56 should have higher pressures, which I would assume would mean faster cyclic rate, resulting in failure to feed. Also, the failure to extract might result from not enough gas making it back to effectively cycle the bolt and carrier, likely from either low pressure ammo, or an overly restrictive gas port in the barrel.

Opting to go the most simple route, I was pleasantly surprised to find that French Creek Outfitters carries a stock of common AR parts and pieces, to include an H1 buffer. I know it is not uncommon to find accessories, but I was quite excited to find parts and pieces in a brick and mortar store! This last point was actually the thing I initially intended to post on, but thought perhaps my experience is not new to many enthusiasts on here, and might even be of interest to somebody attempting their first build.

I will update after I make it back to the range and try out my new buffer.