Just a little jam problem...your help?

[Plain Old Bill]

My Colt H-Bar sporter has one bad habit I'd like more info about...every once in a while, when I put a new clip in and press the bolt release, the bolt goes forward without apparent problem- pulling the trigger elicits a "click" with no visible mark on the primer. The bolt, however, gets stuck forward and I've got really whack it (which I HATE to do) to get it to release. (Yes, I'm pressing the bolt release lever). I put the same round in the middle of a mag and have no trouble at all. Mysterious! :dunno:
I think perhaps the reloads are not correctly sized, although I don't really know how that would happen....can't figure this one out. My expertise is more the Mausers and Mosins and Garands...I'm fairly new to ARs, although my Colt complete with original Colt 3x is a joy.
Your help is appreciated and I thank you in advance!
Plain Old Bill

[Rew]

Although your main problem is it's a Colt ;). First just FYI this is not a Mauser, the clip is used to load the magazine the magazine loads the rifle (may be nit picky but it will save you some ribbin around here). Ok, to the problem, if your useing reloads are you useing small base dies? Does the problem happen with factory ammo? The thing is, your bolt is not locking all the way home. Try hitting the forward assist before pulling the trigger. Please let us know if that helps. Also welcome to Gunsnet. :)

[Plain Old Bill]

Thanks, REW- I appreciate it! I'll have to look when I get home to see if my dies are small-base (dang, should have thought of that!) but I did hit the forward-assist...I have some factory ammo I'll have to run through it. Maybe there will be a difference.
(chuckle) good point about the magazine...you can tell I haven't been around black rifles too much. Uh...not to sound dumb, but are Colts a bad thing?

[Rew]

No, I was just ribben ya.;) If you have Small base die's they are RCBS. If you hit the forward assist then I can about ga-roo-tee it's the loads. The brass has not been sized down quite far enough, and you have a tight chamber. :)

[Plain Old Bill]

Went out to the range today- REW, you're probably right. I reloaded these a LONG time ago- have since gone to a different set of dies. The factory stuff worked with out a hitch. Thanks for your help- don't worry, I'll have LOTS more questions!! :)
Bill

[Rew]

I'll be here, and there are lots more here that will be more than willing to help.;)