SFAR debris in fire pin chamber

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Skankyfrankie

Bearcat
Joined
Apr 17, 2023
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15
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pasco, Wa
New to AR, Took the new SFAR out first time after a cursory cleaning. I did not take bolt apart (I know I know)
On shot 7 no primer contact tried once more same thing just a tiny barely visible scratch.
Pulled bolt, could see something brass or copper not round flush in the fire pin hole.
Pulled fire pin and found a small brass looking shaving. End of fire pin kind of marred up. It kind of looked like a piece of a primer. Way to big to go through pin hole. Wind got it before I devoted it so no pictures. The pin looked like impacted brass on the tip, I was able to clean it up.
Is there anything in the firing pin chamber that could come apart or is it likely mfg debris?
Is the firing pin suppose to be spring loaded because it is not?

It fired fine after but wondering is something inside broken?
 

Skankyfrankie

Bearcat
Joined
Apr 17, 2023
Messages
15
Location
pasco, Wa
It says ruger quality control should have caught a half primer in the fire pin pocket lol. It doesn't show anything in there except the pin
 
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
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10,052
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"So nothing normally in there except the pin, no guides or springs right? (and later) It says ruger quality control should have caught a half primer in the fire pin pocket lol. "
In 'true' AR system, there's no springs or anything else inside the bolt other than the FP nor is there room for 'half a primer'. That 'firing pin chamber' is part of the working mechanism of the design. The gas from the gas tube enters this space forcing the bolt carrier to the rear which in turn unlocks the bolt from the barrel extension. It's possible a bit of machining debris could have been trapped in the gas tube/block and been blown into the bolt carrier by firing(probably a one time thing). Original design AR bolts have 3 tiny 'gas rings' in a groove about midway along the bolt's body. Assuming Ruger uses AR designed bolt, the tiny bit could also be a piece of a broken gas ring from the bolt which IS or could become an issue later.
Post a pic of your bolt and I can confirm.
 

Skankyfrankie

Bearcat
Joined
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Messages
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Location
pasco, Wa
Good info it looked like part of the primer, wind got it before I saved it but I'm going to open it and inspect the gas rings. Still not clear how it could get where it was unless it was there during assembly. Too big to fit past rear of pin.
 

Skankyfrankie

Bearcat
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Apr 17, 2023
Messages
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Location
pasco, Wa
And there is a fair amount of clearance around front of pin chamber. Also I did not say it was a primer I said part of a primer like part of the ring. It didn't look like gas rings from pictures I see of those but I'm going to open it and look.
 

Skankyfrankie

Bearcat
Joined
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Messages
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pasco, Wa
Could it be something from the gas regulator? I'll open and inspect it also. I did not know the gas goes into the firing pin chamber. I did say new to ar or did I lol… and it is firing normal now
 
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
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1,760
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I always had a backup firing pin when shooting matches with an AR. They do have/get pierced primers and that can/does/might cause a nick/chip/broken firing pin. I still keep an extra firing pin in the parts bag for each AR I have. There so cheap and easy to change out, I also just do that while cleaning anyway if I believe I am up to a few thousand rounds.
 
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
10,052
Location
missouri
My comments were based on a true AR designed system. I've never even seen a SFAR first hand but the disassembly video indicates this does have DI drive and gas rings on the bolt. With that settled, it takes about 15 seconds to determine if you have a broken gas ring. If you've already seen the firing pin(Pulled fire pin and found a small brass looking shaving.), you've seen the gas rings (true AR has 3 small rings or one with three spirals).
New gun, lack of lube, rough parts can all result in a gas ring snagging on the rear bore of the bolt carrier. They're not 'fragile' but can and do get tweeked or broken during installation and fail during initial firing.
Here's my thoughts and procedures when starting up a new AR platform: Don't be afraid to lubricate. My new assemblies smoke from all portals the first few shots. Unless you've just parachuted into the desert in the middle of a sandstorm with your new AR, there's no reason not to lube it till it drips. There are little holes in the side of the bolt carrier to vent gas during firing. You can slide the bolt forward until the gas rings show through those holes and give them a drop of oil w/o even taking the bolt out of the carrier. Oh speaking of this, there's no such term in AR nomenclature as 'firing pin chamber'.
I'd like to be more help but this probably just new gun startup glitch.
 

Skankyfrankie

Bearcat
Joined
Apr 17, 2023
Messages
15
Location
pasco, Wa
Thanks I have not pulled bolt out but plan to do that soon and look at gas rings but it didn't look like pictures I see of gas rings. It was lubed and once debris was removed it functions fine. Still I'll look
 

Skankyfrankie

Bearcat
Joined
Apr 17, 2023
Messages
15
Location
pasco, Wa
Here is another question while I have your attention. New stag arms 15. Fires with several different plastic mags including pmag gen2. But pmag gen3 doesn't feed bolt pushes round up to feed ramp then rides over. Usually on 3rd round.
Tried several gen 3 including the pinned 30 rd that hold 10. Several new 30 rd and several new 10 rd.
 

Skankyfrankie

Bearcat
Joined
Apr 17, 2023
Messages
15
Location
pasco, Wa
Here is another question while I have your attention. New stag arms 15. Fires with several different plastic mags including pmag gen2. But pmag gen3 doesn't feed bolt pushes round up to feed ramp then rides over. Usually on 3rd round.
Tried several gen 3 including the pinned 30 rd that hold 10. Several new 30 and several new 10 rd.
 
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
10,052
Location
missouri
A 'bolt over base' failure to feed is often indicative of short stroking/under gassing. You didn't say how many rounds you loaded in the mag when this stoppage occurs. Full count or less? Some new mags just need some break-in time.
FWIW, I use P-Mags interchangeably w/o regard for series or capacity but seldom load to full count. (old time habit)
 

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