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Most AR-15 malfunctions trace to three areas: the magazine, the gas system, and bolt extraction. This guide walks you through the most common failures in order of likelihood, with step-by-step fixes you can run at the bench.
Troubleshooting Order
Feed, fire, extract, eject, cycle, magazine, accuracy, or something else.
Ammo, magazines, lubrication, cleaning, grip, assembly, and obvious wear.
Confirm the likely cause before buying parts like a raccoon with a credit card.
Related Products
Workbench Pick
Otis .223/5.56mm Chamber Brush
$4.99 at Palmetto State Armory
Best for: Quick chamber clean during field-stripping. Single-piece bronze brush that reaches the locking lug recess without disassembly.
TRB take: Cheap insurance. A fouled chamber causes more extraction issues than people think. Keep one in your range bag.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
Wheeler Manual Firearms Accurizing Torque Wrench with Inch/Pounds Measurement, Bits and Storage Case for Scope Mounting, Gunsmithing and Maintenance
ACCURACY: +/- 2 inch/pounds up to 40 inch/pounds; 40 – 65 is +/- 5%. The FAT wrench measures 2 L x 2 W x 6.25 H inches and the storage case measures 7.5 L x 5.5 W x 1.75 H inches
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
Real Avid Roll Pin Punch Set & Hammer + Non-Slip Magnetic Bench Block | 10 Nickel-Plated Steel Roll Pin Punches, 4 Interchangeable Hammer Heads | Brass, Steel, Ruber, Nylon & Non-Marring Bench Block
Best for: Essential for Glock maintenance and troubleshooting.
TRB take: Magnetic bench block + punch set. Heavy benchwork for trigger housings and detailed work.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
PSA AR-15 Extractor Spring Repair Kit
$3.99 at Palmetto State Armory
Best for: Replacing worn extractor springs, O-rings, and inserts on a budget. Everything you need in one bag.
TRB take: For $4, this kit fixes the most common cause of AR extraction failures. PSA's house-brand parts run fine in duty guns.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
Real Avid Gun Boss Pro Universal – 12 Ga., 20 Ga., .45, .40, .357, .38, 9MM, .30, .280, .270, 7MM, .243, .22 ca. universal gun cleaning kit
Best for: Essential for Glock maintenance and troubleshooting.
TRB take: Compact kit with all basics for field cleaning.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4 Gen M3
$15.99 at GritrSports
Best for: Reliable feeding in any AR-15 platform. Anti-tilt follower, slim profile, and a reputation that earned it military adoption.
TRB take: If you're troubleshooting a feed issue, rule out the magazine first. A Gen M3 PMAG is the gold standard for a reason.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
Magpul AR-15 Armorer’s Wrench
$84.99 at Palmetto State Armory
Best for: Castle nut, barrel nut, and muzzle device installation and removal on AR-15 builds.
TRB take: A proper armorer's wrench beats a pipe wrench and prayer every time. The Magpul wrench is thick, padded, and indexed correctly so you do not round off the castle nut or chew up the receiver extension.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
Real Avid Magnetic Bore Light
$11.99 at Real Avid
Best for: Inspecting chambers, bores, feed ramps, and locking lug areas for carbon buildup or damage.
TRB take: You cannot fix what you cannot see. A magnetic bore light stays where you put it and lights up the chamber like a crime scene. Carbon, cracks, and chips all show up immediately.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
Brownells 1/2″ Torque Wrench
$112.99 at Palmetto State Armory
Best for: Torquing barrel nuts, muzzle devices, and receiver extension hardware to foot-pound spec.
TRB take: Torque specs exist for a reason. Under-torqued barrel nuts walk loose. Over-torqued ones gall. A 1/2-inch drive foot-pound wrench is the correct tool for the job, not a breaker bar and guesswork.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
Forster Headspace GO/NO-GO Gauge Set
$60–100 at Brownells
Best for: Verifying safe headspace on used barrels or new builds before live fire.
TRB take: If you bought a used upper or assembled a barrel yourself, this is non-negotiable. Bad headspace destroys brass, damages extractors, and in extreme cases creates pressure events.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
Ammo Squared Factory Ammo Subscription
Varies at Ammo Squared
Best for: Keeping a steady supply of quality factory ammo for function testing, range practice, and defensive use.
TRB take: When you suspect ammo is the issue, swap in proven factory loads. A subscription keeps you stocked without gouging local shops when shelves are bare.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
PSA AR-15 Gas Rings (3-Pack)
$2.99 at Palmetto State Armory
Best for: Replacing worn gas rings to restore proper bolt-carrier group seal and cycling pressure.
TRB take: A 30-second check: extend the bolt and stand the BCG upright on the bolt face. If the carrier drops under its own weight, the rings are shot. $3 fix, not a $100 BCG replacement.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
PSA AR-15 Mil-Spec Firing Pin
$7.99 at Palmetto State Armory
Best for: Replacing damaged or bent firing pins causing light primer strikes or misfires.
TRB take: If the primer gets a light tap but no bang, inspect the pin tip for rounding or mushrooming. A spare in the range bag costs less than one lost match fee.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
PSA AR-15 Ejector Spring
$0.99 at Palmetto State Armory
Best for: Restoring ejector tension when brass piles up or ejection gets weak.
TRB take: The cheapest fix in the article. A $1 spring can turn a stovepipe machine back into a rifle. Replace it before you blame the buffer.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
PSA AR-15 Cam Pin
$4.99 at Palmetto State Armory
Best for: Replacing a peened, cracked, or worn cam pin during BCG inspection.
TRB take: Check the cam pin every time you pull the carrier. If it is grooved or peened, replace it. Ignore it and it can walk out or snap under recoil.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
Wilson Combat AR-15 17-7 Stainless Buffer Spring
$8.97 at Wilson Combat / GritrSports
Best for: Replacing a fatigued or shortened carbine buffer spring causing sluggish cycling.
TRB take: Standard carbine springs get tired. A stainless spring resists taking a set and keeps consistent return force. If your bolt feels slow coming back, start here before blaming gas.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
Aegis Gun Care: Cleaner, Lube & Grease
7.99 at Aegis Gun Care
Best for: Post-cleaning protection and long-term firearm lubrication.
TRB take: TRB-endorsed CLP for post-ultrasonic protection and carbon cutting.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
PSA AR15 Extractor Spring with Insert – 1347
$1.99 at Palmetto State Armory
Best for: Replacing weak extractor springs causing rim slip and extraction failures.
TRB take: A $2 spring fixes more extraction problems than a $100 bolt swap. Replace the spring and insert before you blame the extractor itself.
View DetailsWorkbench Pick
CMMG AR-15 Carbine Buffer (3.0 oz Standard)
$23.14 at CMMG / GritrSports
Best for: Standard-weight carbine buffer for baseline AR-15 cycling performance.
TRB take: If you are chasing cycling issues, start with the standard 3.0 oz buffer and proper gas, then tune upward. Swapping to a heavy buffer to fix short-stroking is like putting a bigger anchor on a boat with no wind.
View DetailsFrequently Asked Questions
Why does my AR-15 keep jamming?
Most AR-15 jams stem from three areas: magazine issues (worn feed lips or weak springs), gas system problems (under-gassed from buffer too heavy or gas leak), or extraction failures (weak extractor spring or dirty chamber). Start diagnostics with a known-good magazine and inspect gas block alignment.
How do I fix AR-15 stovepipes?
Stovepipes typically indicate weak ejection. Check your extractor tension (should hold .308 cartridge against bolt face), replace the extractor spring if worn, and verify you're running the correct buffer weight for your gas system length.
What causes AR-15 failure to feed?
FTF usually comes from magazine issues (damaged feed lips, weak spring), gas system problems (under-gassed), or buffer too heavy. Check magazine seating (click), inspect feed ramp for burrs, and verify gas block alignment.
What causes AR-15 failure to extract?
Extraction failures typically mean a weak extractor spring, broken extractor, or dirty chamber. The extractor should click firmly over rim. If chamber is carbon-locked, soak with CLP and brush thoroughly.
What is AR-15 short-stroking?
Short-stroking happens when the BCG doesn't travel far enough rearward to eject or chamber the next round. Causes include: buffer too heavy, gas port obstruction, gas leak at block, or carrier key loose. Check gas key staking and gas block alignment first.
How tight should AR-15 barrel nut be?
Torque to 30-80 ft-lbs per TM 9-1005-319-10. Start at 30, check headspace with GO/NO-GO gauges, do not exceed 80 ft-lbs. Staked gas keys should be 35-40 in/lbs.
What buffer weight should I use for AR-15?
Carbine gas: 3.0-3.8 oz standard. Rifle gas: 5.0-5.6 oz. If over-gassed (brass ejecting forward of 3 o'clock), add mass. If under-gassed (brass at 5-6 o'clock), go lighter or check gas port size.
When should I replace my AR-15 extractor spring?
Replace every 5,000 rounds or if extractor tension feels weak (should snap firmly over rim). Upgrade to BCM/springco if running suppressed or hot ammo. Insert should be black (mil-spec).
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How To Disassemble An AR-15 Lower – Step by Step
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