Getting AR to run Wolf .223? Short-stroking.

[Suburban]

I've got my AR pistol marginally functional with Tula/Wolf .223 ammo. A linear compensator gave me enough extra back-pressure to actually cycle the ammo, but the bolt catch isn't stopping the bolt after the last round is fired.

Is there anything lighter than a carbine buffer, or a reduced power recoil spring that might give me 100% function?

I'm running a Colt BCG that runs normally in another AR rifle, so I don't think it's a leaky gas key. I would prefer not to open up the gas port in the barrel.

I imagine someone must have tackled this before.

[Svickstc]

Get a spikes pistol buffer/spring or phase 5 tactical my ar pistols ate it all

[Manxdriver]

Are you running an M16 or an AR15 bolt? the AR15 bolt is lighter and will probably run better.

[Suburban]

Are you running an M16 or an AR15 bolt? the AR15 bolt is lighter and will probably run better.

You might have a point there.

[Fortytwo]

Yes, try putting in a semi-auto bolt carrier first. I have a PSA mid-length upper on a random cheapo lower that had FTF about every other round when using a M16 bcg while shooting Russian steel case ammo. The problem disappeared completely once I swapped in a semi-auto bcg. That extra half ounce of steel really does cause problems sometimes.

[ungawa]

As a last resort, buffer springs are only a few dollars. You could start trimming coils and testing incrementally if you want to monkey around with it. I've done that with .22 kits, not sure if it would affect the AR negatively. I would try the other the SA carrier first if you already have one.

[dkf]

If a semi auto bolt carrier doesn't work there are also lightweight carriers available that some of the 3 gun guys use. The gas port in the barrel may be on the small side too.

[edritchey]

Your buffer has 3 weights inside of it take it a part and replace the center weight with a small length of wood dowel this will reduce the weight and should give you the length stroke you need to stop on the bolt catch.

[Suburban]

I think I got it. I had a few spare buffer springs, so I started clipping coils. After lopping off 4 coils, the bolt started locking back on an empty magazine, even the TangoDown magazines that I've had trouble with before. I didn't get a chance to rack up a decent round count, but at least I made progress.

Is the gas port too small? Well, it'll run anything brass-case, .223 or 5.56mm, or the Colt-branded Barnaul zinc-plated steel-case ammo. I just doesn't like anything from the Tula arsenal. I think that puts it in the category of an ammo problem.

[homedefender]

I think I got it. I had a few spare buffer springs, so I started clipping coils. After lopping off 4 coils, the bolt started locking back on an empty magazine, even the TangoDown magazines that I've had trouble with before. I didn't get a chance to rack up a decent round count, but at least I made progress.

Is the gas port too small? Well, it'll run anything brass-case, .223 or 5.56mm, or the Colt-branded Barnaul zinc-plated steel-case ammo. I just doesn't like anything from the Tula arsenal. I think that puts it in the category of an ammo problem.

Is your gas block lined up for sure? Sounds like your gas port is small. What length barrel? I had a 7.5 with full auto bolt and h3 buffer and it ate anything