I have a somewhat newer AR 10 chambered in 260 rem which I bought piece by piece and assembled it myself. I've shot it a decent amount but the bolt and charging handle are still SUPER stiff. Anytime I have to rack the bolt I have to get up off the rifle to do it. I know it'll loosen up some over time but is there anything I can do now to toloosen it up an make it slicker or help it along
Stiff 260 AR 10 bcg
- Thread starter Nickweis
- Start date
Nickweis said:
First question: have you oiled it? There are lots of maintenance suggestions for ARs. 15 or 10(ish) will be very similar for oil and other checks. If you want accuracy, I wouldn't recommend running it dry especially when new.
Second question, Armalite, or Knights/ DPMS style?
-Mac
Start by finding the pieces that are causing gthe stiffness... Example: put charging handle in and stripped bcg, does that part fit freely? Then assemble bcg without bolt, does that fit freely? With bolt installed can you put bcg into battery with mild thumb pressure? If all that is good, check your buffer/buffer spring to make sure they are a correct match and the tube is aligned with upper.
Amount of force is subjective, it depends on your components. I personally do t like trying to operate the charging handle one handed without an extended latch type. In all of the above, check for smooth operation. Since you are the builder you'll have to determine what is acceptable, and only you will know if you have the correct parts installed. We can help with specific questions, but finding root cause to something not acting right I think will require more information.
-Mac
Amount of force is subjective, it depends on your components. I personally do t like trying to operate the charging handle one handed without an extended latch type. In all of the above, check for smooth operation. Since you are the builder you'll have to determine what is acceptable, and only you will know if you have the correct parts installed. We can help with specific questions, but finding root cause to something not acting right I think will require more information.
-Mac
Aero is an LR-308 design, so technically it isn't an AR10, but a large format AR. All large format ARs function similarly to an ar15, but have a few key differences. Biggest problem is that not all parts are swappable. The fact that you refer to it as an AR10 is a clue that more research is needed, and be sure of what parts you put in.
Just to specify, I'm by no means an expert, I've assembled 7, some from matched uppers/lowers, some from DPMS parts, some Armalite, and some from 80% lowers. All took a little gunsmithing to get functioning well, the Armalite was the easiest as I used Armalite parts exclusively.
-Mac
Just to specify, I'm by no means an expert, I've assembled 7, some from matched uppers/lowers, some from DPMS parts, some Armalite, and some from 80% lowers. All took a little gunsmithing to get functioning well, the Armalite was the easiest as I used Armalite parts exclusively.
-Mac
Lap the BCG to the upper to start
Is it stiff like a new spring, or like something is dragging? If you are used to AR15's, the 308 BCG and spring are much heavier. I'm on my second barrel on mine, and although it is well worn-in, it does take a good pull on the charging handle. My broke down old ar15 I can charge with one finger. Might be time for a new spring in that one!
The large frame AR's are much stiffer than AR-15's. Everything is heavier and has more bearing surface, and all of the springs are much stronger. Alot of the resistance comes the rotating bolt and cam pin. If you haven't tried it yet, a heavier oil like ATF/Mobil 1 mix with grease on the cam pin is often helpful.
I wouldn't go lapping anything at all. I would keep shooting it the way it is, provided it functions fine.
I wouldn't go lapping anything at all. I would keep shooting it the way it is, provided it functions fine.
Lapping removes the rough surfaces on the BCG and the upper. Best to stone the BCG first but lapping removes another part of the unknown. Its a matter of diminishing returns but if the BCG is not sliding properly, no spring in the world is going to help you. If you choose to do other things you'll be fine as the internet is full of arm chair quarter backs.
Agreed, the cam pin can use a dose of getting rid of rough marks.
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