cycling issues with the grendel

[Greyling]

I'm new to the grendel, just starting in on my rebarrel project and soaking up knowledge. Does the grendel have cycling issues? I have come across comments about making sure you have the right mags, a youtube video about some extractors needing tuning..... It the grendel a problem child?

[Sticks]

In short, NO to all of the above.

Problems arise when people start buying barrels with non SAMMI chambers, barrels headspaced for a non .136 bolt face (using an bored 5.56 bolt, or 7.62x39 bolt) or just flat out wrong bolt, gas ports that were drilled too large, and by far, improper assembly be it DIY or from a company that sells complete assemblies.

Grendel ARs have the same problem ratio as every other AR15 out there.

The threads and videos of "tuning" will make any AR15 run better. Lot of us here will lap the receiver face, bed the barrel and gas block, polish the extractor, ejector, and feed ramps (some will go as far as lapping the bolt to the lugs in the extension). These are all steps to make a rifle more reliable, and get the most accuracy that one can achieve with the parts involved.

[Greyling]

well that's good to hear. It seems like the biggest problems were coming from larger magazines. But the 7.62x39 has struggled with that for...forever in AR's. The problem is that straight magwell and the heavily tapered cartridge.

[outbreaker]

With all ARs if you having cycling issues it usually boils down to one of 2 issues.

1. Gas.....either too much or too little.
2. Magazines. Some are good some are horrible.

I use adj gas blocks in all my AR builds......even 5.56....to fix number 1.

Number 2.....in 5.56 it is easy.....use magpul. In the Grendel it is still easy.......Stay away from stoner mags. I have had bad luck with everyone I have tried. Cproducts and Elander are fine........not Stoner.

[Greyling]

yeah, my plan is to put an adjustable gas block on it. especially since it will eventually run suppressed. I really wish I could cheap out and run a bear creek barrel on it, I could afford the block, some mags, dies etc all at once, but I hear too many iffy things about bca. I don't think id be happy. now if it was a 223 barrel, i'd go fir it. I've yet to have or see a 223 barrel that wasn't moa with my handloads. (now I've never had a barrel less than $100 either. most of mine are in the 125-200 range)

[calvarez]

I've never had an issue with mine, and it's up to about 700 rounds now. It's a BCA upper, Spike's H2 buffer, Tubbs flat spring. The mags are C Products and ASC, in various capacities. I've tried a variety of ammo from cheap Wolf junk to all the high-end options.

[Turkey hunter 82]

I just did a build and have had no issues other than trying to find ammo here in LA (lower Alabama). BCA 20 inch barrel on a PSA upper running a BCA BCG. I went with an adjustable gas block and have had no issues so far, I have only had a chance to run 20 rounds down the barrel but no issues.

[Sticks]

I just did a build and have had no issues other than trying to find ammo here in LA (lower Alabama). BCA 20 inch barrel on a PSA upper running a BCA BCG. I went with an adjustable gas block and have had no issues so far, I have only had a chance to run 20 rounds down the barrel but no issues.

Ammoseek.com is your friend....Unless AL has laws against ordering ammo online and having it shipped to you.

[pinzgauer]

In short, NO to all of the above.

Problems arise when people start buying barrels with non SAMMI chambers, barrels headspaced for a non .136 bolt face (using an bored 5.56 bolt, or 7.62x39 bolt) or just flat out wrong bolt, gas ports that were drilled too large, and by far, improper assembly be it DIY or from a company that sells complete assemblies.

Grendel ARs have the same problem ratio as every other AR15 out there.

This. I've been grendelling since 2007, built multiple. Never had one that did not work out of the box.

Quality components, don't buy into "improvements" or variances on chamber, get a proper Grendel bolt. Use known good mags and ammo for initial testing.

If you've not loaded for ARs before there is a learning curve. Many issues you hear about are people new to Grendel and loading for ARs.

If you exclude 2-3 barrel mfgs who had fallouts with AA over chamber variances, the number of folks with Grendel build issues drops significantly. (Looking at you Steve Satern and LW)

[drykilned]

I have feed issues with c products defense mags. I am now on my third. The first one I had I fixed after reviewing this site. I immediately have misplaced it after going to the range twice! Received the second one and still have not resolved its problem. I have ground the front lip to clear cartridge mouth, ground the leading edges, bent the cartridge hold down lip upwards slightly on both sides. Cartridges shoot every time if I feed them in manually dropping them into the chamber and letting the bolt go home. I might would believe I had lower assembly problems except that one mag I fixed worked fine! If I try to feed through the mag it will work sometimes but most times the bolt does not go all the way home resulting in a misfire then it is very difficult to extract using the charging handle. I am waiting for the third to arrive to compare side by side. I believe the shells are being slowed by the vertical grooves in the magazine on both sides, front and back. These grooves appear to be smaller than the groove around the base of the shell and grab the shell as it goes by creating just enough friction to slow the bolt. Problem with that idea being that I got one mag to work! I am open to any suggestion. I am using, and prefer, 10 round mags.

[drykilned]

u p d a t e: TOOK THE ABOVE MENTIONED MAGAZINE AND LUBED THE HELL OUT OF THE TWO RIBS MENTIONED. THE SHELLS CHAMBER WITH EASE FOR RIGHT NOW. WONDER WHY SOMEONE CANNOT MANUFACTURE THE MAGS WITHOUT THOSE RIBS THE LAST INCH TO THE TOP OF THE MAG? THINKING ABOUT TRY ING TO GET MY SON TO OPEN THE MAG ON THE WELDS SO I CAN HAMMER THE GROOVES FLAT AND REASSEMBLING IT. NO I AM NOT INSANE.

[calvarez]

I haven't had issues with the Grendel, but for problematic/junk mags in 5.56 I found that Hornady One Lube gives a perfect result. They go from an average of one failure per mag to nothing. I take it apart, make sure everything is coated, and put it back together.

Actually One Lube is miracle stuff for guns and general shop/household use.

[drykilned]

Are you talking about one shot case lube? If so, I do use that as case lube. never thought about using it as regular lube! I will give it a try.

[Tex Nomex]

Are you talking about one shot case lube? If so, I do use that as case lube. never thought about using it as regular lube! I will give it a try.

Different product. Petroleum oil + teflon, I think. Never personally used it on firearms, but works well on lawnmowers, hinges, etc... It's very slick.

[tango29]

look at this URL

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...ht=tango29

[calvarez]

Not familiar with the case lube, but talking about the can with the red cap here: https://www.hornady.com/reloading/case-c...t-cleaners

[drykilned]

I think i have now resolved my mag feed problem. After modifying magazines, grinding the ejector, trying multiple magazines and numerous other things i dismantled the bcg and cleaned relubed everything using white lithium grease on everything instead of oil and that special "milspec" expensive grease. So far, works like a charm on both starline and hornady brass. I still, however have the accuracy/velocity problem. 140 gr speer hotcor @ 2110fps (max listed charge of cfe 223) is most accurate at 1" 4shot group with 1.75 including a called flyer! 123 sst sucks at any velocity, 2464fps max charge 31.2 cfe 223 (5.5") @ 100 yds. 18" 1:9 bca stainless 5r barrel, brownells type ii bcg. Trying 120 speer and/or 120 nosler bt next. To be used deer/hog hunting at under 300 yds, mostly 250 or less.

Vascar2, appreciate all the help. Any more suggestions welcome!

[swedeshooter]

I had purchased a JSE Surplus Grendel upper, came with an AA BCG and the barrel made by Mossberg. After about 500 rounds of mostly brass and about a 100 or so of the Wolf Classic the extractor broke, the extractor spring and ejector spring needed to be replaced. Just waiting to install all the replacement parts. Am hoping I will resume shooting with this upper. Does anyone else have experience with the steel cased wolf classic in an AR15? To say I am hesitant to use more of the wolf classic ammo is an understatement. If anyone can offer personal experience with the steel classic please don't hesitate to reply!

[A5BLASTER]

I had purchased a JSE Surplus Grendel upper, came with an AA BCG and the barrel made by Mossberg. After about 500 rounds of mostly brass and about a 100 or so of the Wolf Classic the extractor broke, the extractor spring and ejector spring needed to be replaced. Just waiting to install all the replacement parts. Am hoping I will resume shooting with this upper. Does anyone else have experience with the steel cased wolf classic in an AR15? To say I am hesitant to use more of the wolf classic ammo is an understatement. If anyone can offer personal experience with the steel classic please don't hesitate to reply!

I have probably close too 1500 rounds of it shot through a 18 inch jp grendel and my 16 inch AA barrel both barrels used the jp bolt but the 16 inch is useing a maxim firearms bolt now due to me rebarreling the 18 to a 20 and useing that 18 to build a friend his first ar and first grendel.

Both my bolts are true grendel bolts and not the .125 face bolt that JSE uses with their barrels.

Hope this helps sir.

[Dead Center Miss]

I had to do a bit of refining on the Extractor on my Radical upper, but other then that it worked well. I did have a couple problems with it short stroking trying to use too fast of powders in it, but using powders in the proper burn rate I have had no issues.