How to mortar your AR-15 and why your bolt might be stuck forward 

Probably should've mentioned that in my video, thanks for watching sir.

Thanks Marc, sound input.

Hello I’m having a bit of a different problem. A Colt m4 all stock and I tried pulling back the charge handle and sure enough the bolt stays right where it is! Now I’ve built a couple of ar’s and will take it apart but am hoping that will not be necessary. Any ideas thanks for the video!

This is a critical point. Thanks for mentioning it.

this happens to me quite frequently and I do not know why! I cleaned and lubed my AR and BCG. it is almost always after a period of non-use

@germondtuggles1848 The ar is designed to do this. It is called the last round bolt open. If you have an empty mag in the follower on your magazine will hold the bolt back as intended. There is nothing wrong with your rifle.

Can you push the rear pin out and separate the lower from the upper? If so you may be able to manipulate the hammer to allow you to put the lower in the safe position

He answered it. Separate the two , put the lower on "Safe" and run his process. Last resort, use a flat head to try and separate it.

Is it just a normal 5.56 rifle? I recommend taking the bolt apart and cleaning every bit thoroughly. Look for any abnormalities

So long as the cable is stiff enough to apply a couple pounds of pressure yes. I've had to knock out casings before and I just used a little cleaning rod. If your casing doesn't come out when the bolt is pulled back definitely look at your extractor also

Sorry for the late response but if you have a snap chat drop me your name and I'll add and you can send me a picture

Hey I would like to send you a pic too

​@@texastactalk542 $foejaubion

Are both uppers chambered in the same caliber? What manufacturer is the new upper receiver? Was everything well oiled when assembled?

@@texastactalk542 nothing was oiled the upper is a cbc industries the lower is a Anderson for as I can see everything is a line I'm guessing it needs to be well lubed I'm taking it to my local gunsmith and see what he say

@@errolperoune9785 good idea taking it to the gunsmith, I highly recommend lubricating everything metal on metal especially before the weapon is fired. That break in period will be a couple hundred rounds and without lubrication you can count on some failure in the AR platform

Possibly but I'm not very familiar with it, I've run into this situation before in the past and took my rifle to a gunsmith and he slammed it as shown in this video.

This technique could damage your buffer tube and stock. I’ve repaired countless AR’s after using this “mortaring” technique at the class3/SOT shop I work at. Put some lube into the bolt and barrel extension. Butt of the rifle on the ground and hold the handguard where the barrel is facing away from you in the safest direction possible. DO NOT GRAB THE BARREL. Place the heal of your shoe on the left side of the charging handle (non ejection port side) and push down with your heal as if your kick starting a motorcycle or ATV. Extended charging handles can be a huge advantage using this technique. I’ve used it at the shop and other places doing………other things and it works 99/% of the time. You’ll get a lot of practice doing this if you use steel case ammo in AR’s. Hope it helps

Is there a round in the chamber? And why don't you have a charging handle?

@@texastactalk542 oops, i should have said side charge no rear charge handle.

Shouldn't do that. If your bolt is stuck forward, there's no guarantee that your head spacing is correct to fire a round without a catastrophic failure.

Charging handle acts like it's in the ready but bolt is stuck in the buffer tube

Few questions and maybe I can help. 1. Is there a magazine in the mag well? 2. Does your upper have a forward assist? 3. Have you attempted to pull the charging handle back and let loose without guiding it forward? 4. Have you attempted to utilize the bolt catch?

@@texastactalk542 there is no mag and the forward assist is not working and I pull the charging handle back and it doesn't do anything

@@gonzalosolorio9717 was everything oiled well? Is it a rifle or pistol? If it's a rifle with a buttstock fully collapse the stock and attempt to slam it the way I showed in the video without pulling the charging handle

@@texastactalk542 I just realized I assembled it without a buffer tube and now I feel like a fool lmao but thank you for you help man appreciate it!

he tried it and it worked