By Your Friendly Gun Gear Expert - May 2025

If you’re spending any time shooting an AR-15—whether it’s at the range, out hunting, or just practicing your tactical skills—you’ve probably run into a malfunction or two. Don’t sweat it; even the best rifles hit a snag sometimes. The key is knowing how to quickly identify and fix those annoyances so you can get back on target without missing a beat. Today, I’m breaking down the most common AR-15 malfunctions and sharing practical, easy-to-follow tips to keep your rifle running smooth.

1. Double Feed: When Two Rounds Try to Enter the Chamber

A double feed is one of those frustrating jams where two rounds attempt to load at the same time, essentially locking up your rifle. Usually, it’s caused by worn magazines, dirty chambers, or issues with the bolt carrier group. To fix this quickly, lock the bolt to the rear, remove the magazine, clear out any stuck rounds, inspect and clean the chamber, then reinsert the mag and cycle the bolt. Pro tip: always have a few reliable magazines on hand and keep them clean to avoid this hiccup.

2. Stovepipe Jam: The Classic Fail to Eject

If you’ve ever seen a spent casing stuck halfway out of the ejection port, you’re looking at a stovepipe jam. This usually happens when the spent casing doesn’t fully eject, often thanks to weak ammunition, a dirty chamber, or an underpowered buffer spring. The fix? Lock the bolt open, clear the casing, and give your rifle a quick once-over for dirt or grime. Keeping your rifle clean and using good quality ammo will help prevent stovepipes from becoming a recurring nightmare.

3. Failure to Feed: When the Next Round Won’t Chamber

This one’s pretty straightforward—the rifle doesn’t pick up the next round from the magazine. Common culprits include bent feed lips on magazines, dirty chambers, or a weak magazine spring.