Need a starting point...

Les White

Les White

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I have a lower that after several shots the safe / fire selector moves just a blond one and behaves as if it's in the safe position. Jamming the selector back to fire resolves the issue for a few more shots then lather rinse repeat.

What do I replace? Selector or hammer or something else?
 
I’d probably start by just uninstalling/reinstalling the FCG and selector. See if it continues to have the problem or if it was something just wonky. Could be a bit of debris in there somewhere.

Is this a new build? Or one that’s worked properly for awhile?
 
BigWaylon said:
I’d probably start by just uninstalling/reinstalling the FCG and selector. See if it continues to have the problem or if it was something just wonky. Could be a bit of debris in there somewhere.

Is this a new build? Or one that’s worked properly for awhile?
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New. It ran the first few mags fine then this issue started. I'll pull it apart and inspect.

Thanks for the replies, I assumed the selector would be a good place to start but wanted to ask before I started dropping things out. I think i have a spare selector I can slap in.
 
nbkky71 said:
+1. I've had popped primers drop debris into the FCG before, causing wonky issues with the safety. Sometimes removing the upper and giving the lower a good shaking will dislodge the debris... sometimes it took removing the FCG to clear the problem.
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I’ve had this happen as well. It kind of surprised me.

The selector itself would be one of the later things to replace. I think it would be more likely that you have an out of spec selector detent spring or got a soft detent that’s flattened out.
 
Did you build the lower? I only ask because in my haste to build one of my lowers I stuck a “take down pin” detent in the safety instead of a safety detent....

My gun did almost exactly what you’re describing, once I put the correct detent in the safety functioned properly, yeah a boneheaded move on my part but I’m known to do stupid stuff lol

I have an extra one in my parts bin if you can’t fine one cheap, I could probably stick it in an envelope and mail it with a single stamp so don’t get screwed on the shipping!

I bought a couple of these kits a while back and they have saved me and several friends from ordering a .99 part with $5 shipping more than once!!

https://www.opticsplanet.com/guntec-usa-ar-15-lost-parts-kit.html

I may also have a mil-spec safety selector if you need one, I’ll just have to check the parts bin, but I am positive I have the safety detent.
 
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I did build it. And I was in a hurry. I'll check that first when I tear into it. Thanks for the offer!
 
Brian K said:
I did build it. And I was in a hurry. I'll check that first when I tear into it. Thanks for the offer!
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If you end up needing the detent just shoot me a PM with your name and address and I’ll get it in the mail ASAP.
 
This is the safety selector detent pin. It looks like the correct pin but it doesn't look right. The lower has less than 50 rounds thru it and under magnification the pin appears to be scored. It was difficult to remove, I had to use a 90 degree pick to push (hard) it out.

20200414_162919.jpg

20200414_163148.jpg
 
Brian K said:
This is the safety selector detent pin. It looks like the correct pin but it doesn't look right. The lower has less than 50 rounds thru it and under magnification the pin appears to be scored. It was difficult to remove, I had to use a 90 degree pick to push (hard) it out.

View attachment 204636

View attachment 204637
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I can’t remember without taking one apart...

Is there any way the spring can slide over the detent if you put it in backwards? The stripes on the detent made me think for a second that happened.
 
BigWaylon said:
I can’t remember without taking one apart...

Is there any way the spring can slide over the detent if you put it in backwards? The stripes on the detent made me think for a second that happened.
Click to expand...

That was my first thought too. But no, it's too tight of a fit.
 
The detent shouldn’t be hard to get out, if it is I’m guessing the detent is either out of spec, if you put the detent in backwards or the spring is way out of spec that could definitely cause issues as well.
 
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Did you put the right spring in there when assembling it? That detent looks CRAZY.
 
Pink_Vapor said:
Can you roll up a small piece of ~600 grit wet/dry sandpaper and clean/polish the pin hole?
Click to expand...

I'll try that. If the sand paper fails I have a backup lower. I also have to order an ambi selector so I'll just add a new detent and spring to the order. I'm right handed but suffered an eye injury when I was 5 that left the vision in my right eye lousy and beyond repair, so I have to shoot rifles southpaw - I can see out of it, but not well enough to sight a rifle or use a scope. It sounds strange, but left-handed rifle shooting is all I've known for 45 years so it just feels just as normal as a right handed person shooting right handed.

Tarowah said:
The detent shouldn’t be hard to get out, if it is I’m guessing the detent is either out of spec, if you put the detent in backwards or the spring is way out of spec that could definitely cause issues as well.
Click to expand...
JRHorne said:
Did you put the right spring in there when assembling it? That detent looks CRAZY.
Click to expand...

The detent was orientated correctly and the spring specs also look good.

20200416_172222.jpg
 
Dang, I've broken down rifles with several thousand rounds and never seen one look like that.
 
A new ambi safety, detent, and spring seems to have tightened everything up. I didn't really notice it in the old selector, but there was a tiny bit of slop that's completely gone now. The new detent pin dropped right into the hole and dropped right back out when I rotated the lower, just like it should. I'll go out back and test this weekend if I can find some dry time.

I also added an ambi mag release to make reloads easier on me, and a set of reduced power springs that made the factory trigger a little lighter and much more crisp.

Thanks for all the input!
 
Finally got around to testing this out. Replaced the safety selector, detent pin & spring, and the trigger springs. Problem persists but slightly different.

Problem was that it behaved as if the safety selector was engaged and you could jam it further into fire and it'd fire. Now you can't move the selector into fire to get it to function, you have to move the selector to safe then back to fire and it'll function for another shot... Then we're back to a no fire condition. When you move it to safe you can hear and feel something inside actuate.

Can not reproduce by manually cycling the charging handle. I might try another lower. Then another FCG.
 
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