BCG stuck in upper reciever

F

Frontiersman

New member
I cleaned my R-15 today. After I put it back together and function tested it, I put a Carlson's snap cap in the chamber and closed the bolt. Never used the snap cap before. The bolt did not seat all the way, but the lugs are partially engaged. I can't get it to budge. It won't close any more, and I can't open the bolt. I'm not sure what to try next, I don't want to break anything. Any ideas? The bolt carrier is still about 1/4" from being all the way in, I had to remove the front pin first to seperate from the lower because the BGC was partially in the buffer tube. I can see the base of the firing pin, and it appears to be locked in.
 
Point it muzzle up, and bang the butt of the stock on the FIRM ground/floor (since it is a snap cap, you are probably safe doing it inside). Almost like you are trying to hammer a nail with the part of the butt inline with the buffer tube. If it has a collapsible stock on it make sure to collapse it all of the way. If you or some one can also put downward pressure on the charging handle to keep the bolt open when it lets loose.

I know it sounds archaic, but many a stuck bolt have been freed with this method.

I remember that sick feeling I had the first time I had to do it, but I have done it several times over the years. When I first started reloading for it I was not bumping the shoulders back far enough, and had several stuck BCG's. Of course I thought that is what the FA is for and hammered the helll out it trying to get the BCG forward all of the way.........not happening. As far as I am concerned the FA is worthless on todays rifles, but I digress.
 
I had it happen in the field one time. I had to use a tool to pry it open at the front edge of the receiver. Wouldnt come loose until I did that. I was coyote hunting and missed a long shot and then two came to my distress call when this 2nd shot locked me up when it failed to feed. So I got it out and not realizing what had happened I dropped the bolt on the next round and it did it again. Got it out and realized I had brought the wrong ammo from a bolt gun that was neck sized only...DOH!!
 
FWIW, I made my own snap cap as per AGI instructions:

Take a case that has been fired in your rifle, neck size it.

Buy a 39 cent pink eraser from Office Depot (the kind with the slanted sides).

Push the mouth of the case of the round through the eraser until you take "core sample" of the eraser.

Remove the eraser from the case.

Wedge the eraser in to the primer pocket all the way in and then cut flush.

Seat a bullet in the case. Mark bullet and case with permanent marker to distinguish from regular live rounds.

The eraser will be firm enough to provide the necessary resistance for the firing pin when the trigger is pulled.

I have no aversion to dry firing a gun. I have an aversion to spending money on 3 or 6 snap caps when I only need one.
 


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