Help AR will not cycle

crfreaks · Sep 11, 2015

My AR will not auto cycle, I have to Manually cycle it after i shoot. I am not sure what the issue is i lent it to a friend and this is how i got it back.. I have gone through and can not find a issue,,

Joe13 · Sep 11, 2015

Gas or piston?

Is the gas block still aligned?

I assume its been cleaned

crfreaks · Sep 11, 2015

It's a gas system, Anderson AR.
I have clean it, the collector on the bolt was lose so I tighten it up. Gas tube is clear.

Garg · Sep 11, 2015

crfreaks said:
It's a gas system, Anderson AR.
I have clean it, the collector on the bolt was lose so I tighten it up. Gas tube is clear.

What is a collector that is on the bolt? Are you talking about the gas key?

crfreaks · Sep 11, 2015

Sorry Gas Key not collector. Auto Correct hate it..

Garg · Sep 11, 2015

9 out of 10 times, when an AR will not cycle, it turns out to be gas system related. If the gas key is coming loose, that is bad. It should be staked, and not come loose. The usual suspect, (IME) is the gas block. Misaligned, or blocked, or loose.

rick benjamin · Sep 11, 2015

Garg is on the money.
Gas key loose on an Anderson upper??
What was your friend doing to/with your gun? (retorical question)

http://kr-15.com/2014/01/09/how-does-an-ar-bolt-work/
Cleaning an <broken link removed>
Carrier gas key clogged/damaged?
Gas tube clogged/bent/damaged?
Front sight post gas block clogged, mis-aligned?

Velzey · Sep 11, 2015

If your gas key was loose, your were losing all your operating pressure!
Tighten it up and properly stake the bolt heads so this won't happen again!

v0lcom13sn0w · Sep 11, 2015

gas block probably is loose and or mis aligned or your gas rings are worn. or both.

Garg · Sep 11, 2015

Could also be a bent gas tube. I would just take the whole thing apart, and replace the tube.
They are cheap.

Edit, as an aside, that would be the last time I would loan that guy an AR LOL

crfreaks · Sep 14, 2015

Yep that is the last time i ever do that again.

OFADAN · Sep 14, 2015

Depending on the model, some Anderson's and ATI who use the same style/type are having loose gas blocks. Been experiencing this in carbine courses of late. Some become loose after a few rounds on day one, others toward the end of day two and some right out of the box. Don't ask me how I know this!! This is an easy check and correction.

Garg · Sep 14, 2015

I have never had an Anderson BCG, so I have never experienced it. Come to think about it, I have never had a gas key come loose yet. I guess I am just a noob

OFADAN · Sep 14, 2015

Garg said:
Come to think about it, I have never had a gas key come loose yet. I guess I am just a noob

If manufactured and assembled correctly the key should be held in place with grade 8 Allen screws torqued to 35-40 inch pounds and properly staked with a staking tool to mil spec requirements. If done correctly you most likely won't see this happen.

I'm unaware of Anderson having any key and/or BCG related problems. Only seeing the gas blocks not properly torqued and lack of using a hi temp screw/bolt adhesive thus gas blocks using Allen head screws coming loose.