Short-stroking AR

**bluehen59** · July 3rd, 2010, 11:43 AM

My A2-style AR-15 is short stroking. The bolt is not going back far enough to strip another round after firing and is not locking back on the last shot. Its not the magazine, and its not due to a lack of lubrication. Recoil spring too strong or hung up on something? Gas system parts not lining up? Any ideas?

**tonyfac** · July 3rd, 2010, 11:48 AM

can you pull the chaging handle back manually and engage the hold open?
is your gas port free and clear? run a cleaner through it and check for any clogs in the gas tube.

**MaDuece** · July 3rd, 2010, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by bluehen59

My A2-style AR-15 is short stroking. The bolt is not going back far enough to strip another round after firing and is not locking back on the last shot. Its not the magazine, and its not due to a lack of lubrication. Recoil spring too strong or hung up on something? Gas system parts not lining up? Any ideas?

a list of things to check.

1. ammo, underpowered reloads or weak factory
2. loose carrier key letting gas escape above the carrier
3. collapsed gas rings if the rifle has put many rounds down range or used for mag dumps

all good places to start but many times its the ammo.

**bluehen59** · July 3rd, 2010, 11:55 AM

I'm using 62-gr. surplus, its a new rifle with less than 200 rounds through it

I'll look at the other stuff, but everything seems tight.

**Wasz** · July 3rd, 2010, 12:02 PM

Go to your gunsmith and get a script for little blue bullets. If you can bump fire for more than 4 mags after loading little blue bullets consult a range master immediately.

Sorry, I thought it was kinda funny.

**MaDuece** · July 3rd, 2010, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by bluehen59

I'm using 62-gr. surplus, its a new rifle with less than 200 rounds through it

I'll look at the other stuff, but everything seems tight.

Has the rifle always had the problem or just developed? if its a new problem then I would definately check the gas key.

Keep in mind that surplus ammo isnt always perfect, you have no way of knowing how the ammo was stored or why it was surplused off. ammo stored in high temp. conditions tends to go to crap pretty quick.