Got one, and what I've used it I like it. Having what I believe is a short stroke problem, but my dad thinks it's cycling too fast. If I can get what ever it is fixed I think it'll be a fun shooter.
Cycling too fast is very very rarely a problem, only ever seen in full auto guns.
Short stroking is also rarely a problem. Most symptoms of short stroking are also symptoms of a malfunctioning magazine. Magazines are cheap and easy to replace. It should be the first thing you check.
90% of all AR 15 malfunctions can be attributed to malfunctioning magazines.
If your rifle truely is short stroking here are some things to check.
1. If it is a new factory rifle, just shoot it more and keep cleaning off the carrier parts and lubing them. Chances are high that it is just too new and it will take a while for the parts to wear in and become slicker. The coatings that are used on these guns cause a lot of friction but will wear in shortly. If you still are having trouble after 200-300 rounds, look for other causes.
2. Check your ammo. Try different ammo. Try your ammo in a friend’s rifle. Look for pressure signs, flatter than normal primers, firing pin dents that have been pushed back up, holes in the primer, deep extractor marks, brass that has been extruded into the extractor hole, etc.
3. Check the carrier key for leaks. Look for signs that gas has been blowing out from under the key. Check the bolts for tightness.
4. Check the gas rings. A properly functioning rifle will usually work even with the ring gaps aligned. If your rifle works when they are unaligned, but doesn't when they are aligned, look for something else that is contributing to the problem.
5. Check the alignment of the gas tube in the gas block. Also check the alignment of the gas ports of the gas block and barrel. The gas ports are small, you don't have much room for error.
6. Pull the front gas housing off and measure the diameter of the gas port. Also measure the diameter of the barrel also as the size of the hole varies with the barrel diameter. For one example, on a Colt 16" lightweight barrel the gas port diameter is usually .063"-.070".
On a Colt 16" heavy barrel the port is opened up a little to approx. .075". The distance that the port is from the muzzle will make a difference also. On 10" barrels the port needs to be a little bigger, say .093", because the pressure drops off fast after the bullet leaves the barrel.
7. Check to be sure the buffer spring is correct and lubed nicely. I grease mine to keep them quiet.
8. Check to make sure the hammer is not sticking up too far and catching the firing pin on the carrier’s way forward. I have seen this a lot on rifles that have had a 'trigger job'. Metal was removed from the front of the trigger and from the hammer hook to get a nice trigger feel, but the hammer now sits much more rotated forward and will interfere with the firing pin. This happens the most with the hammers that have the notch on the top corner.
The notch will catch on one of the rings on the back of the firing pin.
9. Check the chamber for grooves or ridges left from a damaged chamber reamer. The factory tries to get more life out of the reamer, or had someone that is rough with it and puts a nick in the cutting edges. These ridges and grooves cause more grip between the case and the chamber wall.
10. Make sure the bolt and carrier are free to move forward and backward inside the upper receiver and that everything looks like it is aligned. Make sure that the magazine isn't hitting the carrier anywhere either.
Josh- what kind of clip are you using? Mine does that some times with my spare clip but feeds good with the one it came with. Try another brand of clip. It might be only that.
-Jester