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AR jamming

browning82
Yes
I bought a used bushmaster in great shape at a gun show a few weeks ago. Went to Dick's sporting goods and bought 200 rounds of remanufactured ammo. I don't remember the brand, but I can tell you that they were 55 grain full metal jackets. I had no problems at first but then the gun started acting funny. It wouldn't eject the spent case, and it would try to pull the new case forward jamming the gun. This happened about 5 times while shooting 100 rounds through it. Is this because of the ammo, or the gun. It is a bushmaster A3 National match target model 20". What do you guys recommend for a cheap plinking round?
Thanks.
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Comments

7 comments

Date Votes
  • rldowns3
    Well, first of all, give the gun a good cleaning, make it spotless inside and out and lube it properly. Check for any burrs and make sure the extractor is in good condition.

    second, get some good, new ammo and fire a couple hundred rounds through it and see if it still does the same thing.

    I would recomend probably ammo from federal for a good clean plinking round for starters till you get your problem solved.

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  • Gunslinger2005
    I'd go along with what rldownw said, but would add STAY AWAY FROM REMANUFACTURED AMMO! You never know what you're getting with that stuff. If you reload your own, it's one thing; if you buy reloads, it could be range pick-ups, or God knows what. I once bought some .308/7.62 reloads, and ended up with a case that split from case neck all the way back to the base of the cartridge. No more remanufactured for me!
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  • jltrent
    Also I will add something else. What kind of Mags. are you using. I have some USA mags that jam a lot. Maybe try switching mags.
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  • DABUG
    I had same problem, check the overall length of the round against a new round not a reload, I found that who ever made the reloads made them to long.
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  • kimberkid
    Couple other things to look for ...

    1. Make sure the extractor is in good shape.

    2. Try new ammo - premium or surplus - re-man ammo is notorious for being weak due to liability.

    3. Make sure the gas tube hasn't been fouled/plugged

    4. Gas key loose on bolt carrier, should be tight and staked in place

    5. Lastly, an A-3 stock I got recently had a 2 different springs, one a bit stronger than the other ... if all else fails, either get another recoil spring or cut one link at a time off the one you have.
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  • Txs
    Clean the entire upper receiver WELL, including blowing Gun Scrubber or something similar through the gas tube and checking that the extractor and ejector function freely. Also inspect the key for tightness and the rings for wear. To check the rings, insert the bolt all the way into the bolt carrier and then turn it upside down. The bolt shouldn't fall out of the carrier of it's own weight. After all this, try it with quality ammo.

    Using mystery reloads in AR types isn't good policy. Besides possibly not having the correct gas pressure to cycle properly, some powders can cause the gas tube to become junked with fouling and screw up the pressure curve. Consider that you also have no idea what type of ammo the previous owner was running through this rifle. NATO spec ammo should burn clean enough and have sufficient pressure to keep this tube clear.

    Putting solvent up the gas tube and flowing crud out the rear is the only way to possibly clean it out. Do not, I repeat DO NOT, stick pipe cleaners or anything up in there. You'll just be pushing a pipe cleaners length of residue into a ring down inside the tube and increasing restriction. Colt armorer's school teaches to just replace the tube if it becomes clogged. It's no big deal, just a matter of knocking out a single roll pin.
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  • danski26
    Txs
    Did you go through ken's course from colt? I did two years ago and it was great. I want to get to his advanced course next year.

    browning82
    I'm not sure if your bushmaster has a chrome lined chamber. If it does not, when it gets fouled and hot the cases will stick. Lubrication will help with this. You can get a heavy duty spring for your extractor that will help also. Otherwise cleaning and cooling off are your only sure fix.

    As far as lube is concerned my opinion is to use whatever you like but put enough on that you are getting a bit of spray on your shooting glasses as you shoot.

    0311 semper fi
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