Skip to main content
Help Center Community Shop

AR short cycling

wm69
Tried asking this on AR15.com and no useful answers there. Went out with a coworker last week to shoot his bushmaster 20" Hbar (post ban). I talked him into trying out some of the new wolf polymer coated ammo after reading about it online and since the South African stuff has dried up..... It is short cycling his action (the winchester value pack ammo from WalMart did the same thing to a lesser degree). No usual FTE's that the old wolf caused, but simply doesn't get the bolt far enough back to pick up the nest round (or to lock the bolt open on the last round). I know this is probably from
A. Underpowered ammo
B. Gas system problem
Question is this. Will cleaning the gas tube help this? I took his carrier apart and it was FILTHY, so wondering if the gas tube is the same way. I've also told him he might be able to enlarge the gas port a little to allow more gas to go throught the gas system. These are just a couple of ideas. Please do not respond with "buy better ammo". I know wolf/value packs aren't great ammo, but we take his gun out to the farm and shoot cans with it, so paying a premium for good ammo is just waste. I know the new wolf works well enough to function in my old ASA piece of junk that I sold to another coworker (very cheap!). It wouldn't run laquer coated wolf or SA ammo, and with a baby on the way I figured it was best to get rid of it. Sold it to a different coworker and it eats the new poly wolf just fine so I know the stuff will work in some guns. Any advice on what to try?
0

Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • bigtire
    Clean out the gas system and the whole rifle really well and see how it shoots. If that doesn't work maybe a lighter buffer will help.

    MOLON LABE!bumpersticker.gifBullet_holes_2.giffrance-bumpersticker.gif
    356074.245801.gifted-nugent-for-president-t-shirt.jpg356074.208972.gif125_button_kerry_leaders.gif
    0
  • ItGoBang
    Check to see how your gas rings are set.... The slits should NOT be touching! I try to keep them at 10, 2, 6... or any number just so they are set apart. [:)]

    It will hurt you, More than it will hurt me..

    Life Member..NRA,
    American Legion, MECU, MWCA, SMSC, NASDS, IDPA
    Thanks for all the help!

    IN GOD WE TRUST! *And don't use Pay Pal!
    0
  • artvls
    Also make sure it's not a bad magazine.
    Dennis
    0
  • wm69
    Mags are USGI (ok and cooper) and work fine in other AR. I made sure the rings weren't lined up when I cleaned the bolt. I didn't think about a lighter buffer. Can I modify the existing one somehow? Where would I get a lighter one? Thanks for the answers!
    0
  • select-fire
    Try some factory ammo before adjusting your gun.
    0
  • v35
    If the piston ring isn't worn out and if the buffer assembly is clean and lubricated,I'd be inclined to start opening the gas port with the next size number drill until you get strong solid ejection. It's a pain to keep knocking out those taper pins (from left to right)so don't make them too tight until it's working properly. Also be careful not to hit the far side of the bore with your drill as you break through the gas port. A tubing sleeve on the drill could act as a depth stop.
    0
  • bigtire
    quote:Originally posted by Bull dog 32
    Big Tire, Where do you get the Stickers that you use? I want them all over my Truck! Thanks Bulldog 32



    I just find them online and create an image link in my signature. You can find the origional link by right clicking on the picture and then clicking on properties then cut and paste the address into the address bar on your brouser. Try shortening the address to get to the parent site. Or if you have a color printer you could copy and print your own.

    some came from http://www.t-shirt-town.com/index.asp



    MOLON LABE!bumpersticker.gifBullet_holes_2.giffrance-bumpersticker.gif
    356074.245801.gifted-nugent-for-president-t-shirt.jpg356074.208972.gif125_button_kerry_leaders.gif
    0
  • kingjoey
    Probably have a blockage in the gasport or gastube. Get some gastube mops and clean it out well. Don't monkey with the buffer

    Love them Beavers
    orst-title-1.gif
    0
  • Txs
    Check the gas key/bolt carrier connection before you go cutting on the barrel. If the key works loose it can cause leakage and short stroking.
    0
  • wm69
    Key is staked in. I'm gonna get some pipe cleaners and some CLP and clean the heck out of the thing and if that doesn't work I'll let him decide what do to with it. I'd enlarge the gas port on mine if that's what it took, but don't know if he wants to do that. Wolf ammo is cheap, and you get what you pay for, but I look at it as $60/1000 cheaper and you can get a new barrel, or hell even a new gun if you go through much ammo with the money you save buy shooting the cheap stuff. I'd never depend on wolf to protect myself, but it's great for enemy cans..... Thanks for all the replies!
    0

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Recent Activity