I assembled a PSA 20" CHF RIFLE LENGTH 5.56 NATO 1:7 PREMIUM RIFLE Kit on a PSA lower, after putting everything together I went to the range and shot 3 Mags with zero failures.
Today after a while I took it to the range so I could zero the iron sights to 100 yards, the first 10 or 15 rounds it worked fine but then it began to fail to extract and obviously feed while shooting, I had to extract the empty case and feed a new round pulling the charging handle manually after every shot , it’s like a gas problem where there is not enough power to make it work in semiauto.
When I got home I check for possible damaged parts including the buffer spring and everything looks fine, not too dirty because it hasn’t been fired more than 100 rounds.
Any savvy guru on the forun that can give me a clue…
Yooooooooo I have this same exact upper I got from PSA, back in 2019 and I couldn’t be happier with it. I absolutely LOVE IT. I haven’t had a single issue, but if I were you, I would check the spring tension on the bolts extractor and ejector first and foremost. If something feels off, it’s spongy, or doesn’t feel like there is enough resistance, especially in the extractor, I would pop it open and take a look. Could be a hard/blown primer inside the channel. Also, check the insert the spring sits atop, make sure it isn’t crushed or out of it’s groove. Did you happen to change ammunition when this problem first started to happen? Also, check and make sure the carrier key/gas key isn’t loose or the bolts haven’t started to come loose. I can’t see the gas tube failing within only 100 rounds being fired, same as the gas rings. The rifle is too new for these issues to be the problem, unless it’s some sort of manufacturing defect.
I lubed it pretty well, specially the bcg, I used Winchester white box, pmc and an imported one, all of those brands I’ve shot before with my other 2 ARs without any problems.
I have some gunsmith knowledge in general, not an expert or anything like it on the AR platform but I can assemble one, like I said the first time I took it to the range it worked flawless but yesterday.
I disassemble it to check for possible debris or broken parts and nothing but a little fouling and zero damaged parts, I read that a broken buffer spring can make that type of malfunction to happen so that was the first thing to check and buffer, buffer spring and tube are perfectly fine, the 2 mags I used ( PMAG gen 2 and an aluminum one NHMTG) I had used them before in my other ARs without a problem.
When fire a shot I have to cycle it manually to extract and feed, I couldn’t see if when shooting the bcg goes back enough to cycle, I think it doesn’t because it does not doble feed.
Take your Bolt out of the Bolt Carrier and Inspect the Gas Rings for accountability and being damage free.
1 Ring broken or missing could Jimmy the works.
Check the Bolt Carrier Key for security and being obstruction free with a Pipe Cleaner.
Run a pipe cleaner into the gas tube a short ways with something along the lines of Carburetor Cleaner on it. STP brand has been my choice for years…on the Receiver end obviously.
Check the surface of the gas tube damage or distortion where it meets the Bolt Carrier Key.
Insure the Gas Tube hasn’t loosened or the Pin isn’t missing.
Make sure you have the correct Buffer and Spring…but previous successful use says that’s highly unlikely.
You obviously have the Correct Buffer for a Rifle…that’s one down.
BTW… Liking your choice of Lowers…built one of those for an MForgery two weeks ago. Mated it to a Colt M4 Receiver and an FN Barrel. Its out being pinned and welded to a BCM Extended A2 Flashider now.
I would take the handguard off and inspect the FST/Gas block thoroughly. Check underneath to make sure nothing has walked/came loose as well. Everything in the photos looks good and nothing seems like it would be the issue here… It’s extremely hard to diagnose something over the internet and from photos alone. I’ll second the notion of taking a skinny enough pipe-cleaning or what I use, weed eater/weed trimmer line 0.08 and I would run it down the entire length of the gas tube, and carrier key/BCG gas key to check for obstructions. If you happen to have a video bore scope, that would be on my short list as well.
I truly appreciate your tips, I do have a bore scope but for .30 Cal, I need to get a 5mm one.
I’ll get some weed eater line and give it a try through the gas block and tube and gas key, at the same time I’ll check the gas block for any loosen parts because the rest is rock solid.
As soon as I find out what could it be ill post a heads up
Yes sir! Please let us know what the issue is/was and how ya found it and ultimately fixed the issue. I love this kinda tinker around and figure out how and why something went wrong. Worst case, find yourself a local gunsmith, or ask around at the local shooting clubs to find someone who it really well versed with the platform and have them look into it.
i had to remove a gas block because of that problem.
when the hole was drilled for the gas to flow to the gas tube,
the little round piece of metal did not come out of the block.
believe it or not. but really it blocked the hole. its better now.
I assembled the same exact rifle recently and it’s operated flawlessly right from the first round. Your problem has to be something in the gas system that has come loose or come out of spec, especially since your first hundred or so rounds operated well.
Did you closely inspect where the gas tube enters the front sight gas block? If your extractor is functioning properly and has the appropriate amount of tension I can’t see any answer other than the gas system.
PSA will definitely take care of it for you but you’ll likely be without it for a few weeks. Best of luck.
Hey man I don’t know if you have it figured out already but If not I had the same exact problem and the gas block was loose so wasn’t creating enough pressure to extract. I love PSA products but I’ve learned the hard way that every time you get something from them get it disassemble and reassemble with lock thread and you’ll be fine
Well, this is a A2 front post so it’s a fixed gas block.
Today I got the chance to go back to the range and shoot the rifle with different magazines and the problem persist, I notice the bolt is not going all the way back at the moment of the extraction and that’s the reason why it doesn’t feed 95% of the time.
Idk if it’s something related to the bolt, or buffer too heavy or buffer spring.
