ar charging handle stuck

joes

I have a new ar build with all the pieces I purchased on line so it is mix and match. When I load my first round ( nearly every time) the bolt carrier gets stuck with a live round in the chamber. The only way to remove the round is motar it or pound the charging handle with a mallet to free the round. I have tried several bullets. Now it does free cycle perfectly with no rounds in the clip and does sometimes cycle a round without getting stuck. When the round is removed there are pretty heavy marks on the bullet. When I fire a round I tend to get stove pipes. Is there any suggestions as to what I should look at. Could it be a head spacing issue. The gas system seems to be straight, and the two lugs from the barrel nut also seems to be in line. I did check for the chamber to be cleaned. Thank you.

MG1890

Sounds like the ammo is too tight in the chamber. Time to take this to a gunsmith. That is unless you have the gages and reamer to correct headspace, and the skills.

charliemeyer007

I vote for hands on with a real gunsmith.

Are the marks on the bullet or the case?

What ammo have you tried exactly?

azpowerwagon

Small base sizing dies are your friend. Get a good reloading manual that addresses loading for semi-auto firearms.

Laredo Lefty

Is the ammo factory or reloads?

Get a case gauge if reloads and case gauge each round.

It sounds like the ammo is out of spec or your assembly of the barrel to upper is incorrect.

Mobuck

If the bullets are showing contact with the rifling, there's a problem with the throat or the bullets are not seated properly.

joes

Thank you for the replies. After reading responses I tried factory loads, problem fixed no failures. I shoot my reloads ( with a variety of bullets and seating depths) in five other ar's with no issues. I guess this chamber is just a little tighter.