The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Bushmaster Carbon 15 Buffer Retainer problem

jda2011 · June 17, 2013, 09:59 AM

I have looked around a bit and have been unable to find anyone who has had a similar problem as of yet. My question is this: Has anyone with any AR-15 had an issue with the buffer spring retainer pin and spring dislodging while firing? About a month ago I let my brother shoot my rifle and he was messing around with the buttstock. He then went to fire and all we heard was a click. I thought maybe it was an issue with the round as it was a reload, however I removed it and replaced it with a factory round with the same result. This happened 5 or 6 times. I then took out the takedown pin and when I opened the lower, there was a spring which had been mangled sitting on top of the hammer. I removed it and we went back from our range to the workshop to figure the problem out. In this instance, it appears that he backed the buffer tube off enough while playing with the stock that it allowed it to be released.

Fast forward. I got a new spring from Bushmaster, ordered a new Blackhawk! adjustable stock, tube, buffer, spring, and castle nut. I installed it and I KNOW I had the thing put on right. I shot quite a few rounds with no issues last week, my girlfriend put 25 through it as well as a couple other people putting rounds through it yesterday. My brother then wanted to try to shoot it. Again, first time he chambered a round and pulled the trigger, just a click. When I took the lower off, this time the retainer spring was partially caught in the bolt carrier assembly. This time no one messed with the stock tube and I know I had the castle nut tight. Any ideas on how this part could have possibly come out again?

June 17, 2013, 09:59 AM	#1
jda2011 Junior Member Join Date: June 16, 2013 Posts: 4	Bushmaster Carbon 15 Buffer Retainer problem I have looked around a bit and have been unable to find anyone who has had a similar problem as of yet. My question is this: Has anyone with any AR-15 had an issue with the buffer spring retainer pin and spring dislodging while firing? About a month ago I let my brother shoot my rifle and he was messing around with the buttstock. He then went to fire and all we heard was a click. I thought maybe it was an issue with the round as it was a reload, however I removed it and replaced it with a factory round with the same result. This happened 5 or 6 times. I then took out the takedown pin and when I opened the lower, there was a spring which had been mangled sitting on top of the hammer. I removed it and we went back from our range to the workshop to figure the problem out. In this instance, it appears that he backed the buffer tube off enough while playing with the stock that it allowed it to be released. Fast forward. I got a new spring from Bushmaster, ordered a new Blackhawk! adjustable stock, tube, buffer, spring, and castle nut. I installed it and I KNOW I had the thing put on right. I shot quite a few rounds with no issues last week, my girlfriend put 25 through it as well as a couple other people putting rounds through it yesterday. My brother then wanted to try to shoot it. Again, first time he chambered a round and pulled the trigger, just a click. When I took the lower off, this time the retainer spring was partially caught in the bolt carrier assembly. This time no one messed with the stock tube and I know I had the castle nut tight. Any ideas on how this part could have possibly come out again?