.223 problems

[Spitfire34]

Seeking advice from those who may be more experienced than myself.
Went shooting today with my AR-15 and 160 rounds of ammo. Only 151 of the rounds fired.
All have dimpled primers though the dimples dont look as deep as those that did fire.
Brand new Federal ammo
Is it the rifle or the ammo? Never had a problem with my AR yet.
Thanks to all for helping me with this issue.

[Combat Diver]

Trying to analize your problem brings up several questions. How many rounds have been through your rifle? Is this all one lot from Federal or multiple lot numbers? Have you shot this ammo and lot number before? Is the rifle clean? Firing pin channel clean? Lastly did you try any other ammo since this?

On the top sounds like a ammo problem and would call Federal with the lot number if it is the ammo.

CD

[The Reaper]

Possibly bolt not fully going into battery. Hammer energy is being sapped driving the bolt home.

Same questions as CD. Plus what are you using for lube on the BCG, where and how much?

All rounds chambered in an AR will likely show some primer marks due to the fact that the firing pin is inertial and strikes the primer during chambering. Military primers are harder for a reason.

TR

[MK262MOD1]

A bunch of good questions above.

I would add have you cleaned the weapon?

Did you try to rechamber and fire any of the rounds? If so did they go off the second time?

Was it throughout the string at the beginning or end?

Have you checked the hammer spring? Is this a new weapon?


Lots of variables at this point.

[Team Sergeant]

Makes me wonder if the hammer spring is in backwards.....

Unless we see the rifle all we can do is speculate.....

[Spitfire34]

The FTF's happened randomly throughout a string of fire with a beta mag. Same lot of ammo.
The rifle was clean when I started, I use CLP on my BCG...it wasnt soaked but it was wet.
I built the rifle myself and have put about 3,000 rounds through it without failure.
I didnt rechamber the FTF rounds and try to fire them again...probably should have.
I sent Federal an email notifying them about the issue.

[Dusty]

The FTF's happened randomly throughout a string of fire with a beta mag. Same lot of ammo.
The rifle was clean when I started, I use CLP on my BCG...it wasnt soaked but it was wet.
I built the rifle myself and have put about 3,000 rounds through it without failure.
I didnt rechamber the FTF rounds and try to fire them again...probably should have.
I sent Federal an email notifying them about the issue.

1. Shoot another brand.

-If still a problem, then:

2. Clean and fire again.

-If still a problem, then:

3. Troubleshoot according to the TM.

[The Reaper]

The FTF's happened randomly throughout a string of fire with a beta mag. Same lot of ammo.
The rifle was clean when I started, I use CLP on my BCG...it wasnt soaked but it was wet.
I built the rifle myself and have put about 3,000 rounds through it without failure.
I didnt rechamber the FTF rounds and try to fire them again...probably should have.
I sent Federal an email notifying them about the issue.

Has it worked with that BetaMag before?

TR

[Spitfire34]

The beta mag in question has always worked properly and isnt very old. I cleaned the weapon today and can find nothing out of order. I'm thinking it was the ammo but I'd hate to find out its the rifle.

TS...all the parts are installed correctly, I used to build these for a living :D

[Combat Diver]

Go shoot some different ammo. If no failures then ammo related. You can try the same ammo again also since you cleaned the weapon. You should be able to trouble shot and figure it out then.

CD

[Iraqgunz]

Let me throw this out there. You built this yourself so its' an AR Frankengun. Here are few things.

1. Will it work with regular magazines?

2. What components did you use to build this?

3. Did you check things like firing pin protrusion, headspace, etc...

4. Are you absolutely sure that the hammer spring is installed properly?

Is it possible that this ammo was subjected to less than ideal conditions?

[fng13]

Makes me wonder if the hammer spring is in backwards.....

Unless we see the rifle all we can do is speculate.....

I had the same problem as the OP and this is what the problem was.

That is where I would look.

[Spitfire34]

Let me throw this out there. You built this yourself so its' an AR Frankengun. Here are few things.

1. Will it work with regular magazines?

2. What components did you use to build this?

3. Did you check things like firing pin protrusion, headspace, etc...

4. Are you absolutely sure that the hammer spring is installed properly?

Is it possible that this ammo was subjected to less than ideal conditions?

1. yes
2. Model 1 sales kit
3. yes all are good
4. I'm certain, I've fixed that problem in many other peoples rifles, I know what to look for, this rifle has had many rounds through it before this problem.
Since I purchased the ammo its been inside my house at room temp and dry.

[Iraqgunz]

Well let me just say that Model 1 sales parts are marginal at best. Not trying to knock your build, just throwing that out there. If it is working with regular mags and not with the C-mag then my guess is that there is something wrong with that drum.

Nothing else makes sense aside from the obvious. I've never been a big fan of Beta mags because they never seem reliable enough.

1. yes
2. Model 1 sales kit
3. yes all are good
4. I'm certain, I've fixed that problem in many other peoples rifles, I know what to look for, this rifle has had many rounds through it before this problem.
Since I purchased the ammo its been inside my house at room temp and dry.

[MK262MOD1]

I doubt the drum or magazine has alot to do with light primer strikes.

I have been known to be wrong but I would look elsewhere.


1. Internals

2. Ammo

Id like to see a picture of the internals and a picture of the light strikes.

It could be poorly seated primers. But I would have guessed dirty Chamber, dirty BCG, obstruction slowing the hammer, miss installed hammer spring, light hammer spring and then poorly built ammo. In that order.

At this point without the weapon its all speculation.


Op Id be interested to hear what you find out as you test and resolve.


MK262M1 sends

[Iraqgunz]

Internet diagnosis is a bitch. But, he states the everything is assembled properly and it works with regular magazines. So my next question was does this ammo work in other weapons.

I doubt the drum or magazine has alot to do with light primer strikes.

I have been known to be wrong but I would look elsewhere.


1. Internals

2. Ammo

Id like to see a picture of the internals and a picture of the light strikes.

It could be poorly seated primers. But I would have guessed dirty Chamber, dirty BCG, obstruction slowing the hammer, miss installed hammer spring, light hammer spring and then poorly built ammo. In that order.

At this point without the weapon its all speculation.


Op Id be interested to hear what you find out as you test and resolve.


MK262M1 sends

[Spitfire34]

The last two days I've run almost 600 rounds through the rifle with no problems, must have been the ammo before. Go figure. Thanks for the help.