S&W AR-15 Problem

[puncho]

I had a brand new AR-15 blow up at the gun range. S&W will not fix or replace the weapon after inspection. They claim that it was caused by defective ammunition. I was using brand new Remington ammo in the gun and while firing the gun it blew up and jammed. The gun jammed so bad that it could not be cleared of the round.

Two weeks later my friend, which has the exact same gun had the bolt action not slide all the way forward. After seeing this occur with his gun we believe that this was what happened with my gun and cause of the blow up. The only way that you would know that the bolt had not traveled all the way forward was by looking through the side opening where the empty ammo case is ejected from. It doesn't seem very practical that you would have to check the weapon like this before firing it. What should I do next?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[C9H13NO3]

It shouldn't be able to fire at all unless it's in battery. How exactly did yours "blow up"?

[SonofASniper]

It shouldn't be able to fire at all unless it's in battery. How exactly did yours "blow up"?

Exactly! Can you give some more details as to the event?

[cdwolf]

Do you have pictures? Very curious since I own M&P15a.

[Rcher]

I concur with what others have said. If the bolt did not go completely into battery, the firing pin will not function. Pics would help us help you.

[puncho]

I don't have pictures! The best description is as follows.
I put a new 30 round clip into the weapon. Pulled the charging handle all the way back and let it rip back. I pulled the trigger and felt powder flash and saw that the magazine had swollen. The charging handle was jammed and would not move. I turned on the safety and removed the magazine. I then turned the weapon over on its side and saw a fired and swollen shell casing a third of the way out of the barrel.

[C9H13NO3]

Just off the top of my head, I would suspect a double charged round. It can only come out of battery from pressure from the gas tube, not from pressure on the bolt face, so I would think it pushed the bolt back while the powder was still burning, the case swelled up in the chamber, causing it to get stuck, and the gas tube was still pumping gas into the reciever after the piston was clear of it, causing the magazine to swell, and also escaping out the ejection port which you felt. Just my quick diagnosis.

[Rcher]

So the round is still stuck in the chamber?

So what part "blew up"? I've had casings split, swell, lodge in the chamber and had to strip my AR to get 'em out. What part of the firearm "blew up" and is no longer functioning? Take a pic of your busted parts or pieces for us.

[C9H13NO3]

Also, a picture of the primer on the suspect casing could be helpful.

[puncho]

Just off the top of my head, I would suspect a double charged round.

So I'm screwed because i got a hopped up factory load?

[C9H13NO3]

It's just my guess. Unlikely to get a double charged factory round, but it can happen. I wouldn't say you're screwed...but maybe screwed out of a magazine. What else on your rifle was damaged?

[puncho]

It's just my guess. Unlikely to get a double charged factory round, but it can happen. I wouldn't say you're screwed...but maybe screwed out of a magazine. What else on your rifle was damaged?

When S&W customer service called today all they told me was they would sell me a new gun at a reduced cost. I was never given the option of it being fixed which would lead me to belive it cant be fixed.

[Rcher]

Answer these questions as accurately as possible ...

1. Did the bullet leave the muzzle? (not stuck in barrel?)
2. Is the casing still stuck in the chamber?
3. Is the dust cover closed?
4. Can you see any part of the casing from the breach side of the action?

[C9H13NO3]

I wouldn't buy a new gun. I'd have them send it back, then replace any damaged parts. It would be cheaper.

[puncho]

Answer these questions as accurately as possible ...

1. Did the bullet leave the muzzle? (not stuck in barrel?)
2. Is the casing still stuck in the chamber?
3. Is the dust cover closed?
4. Can you see any part of the casing from the breach side of the action?

1. not sure because i couldn't get the charging handle back to get the casing out and see if the bullet was in the barrel.
2. yes
3. no
4. yes you can see about a 1/3rd of the swelled up casing.