As any experienced rifle owner will tell you, how well you maintain your weapon has a direct bearing on how well it performs. It applies to all rifles, including the DDM4A1, as they all get dirty when they’re fired and also when they’re not fired for a long period of time. Moreover, you also have to ensure you clean your rifle the correct way.
What do we mean by that? Well, a very common error for AR-15 owners cleaning their weapons is over-oiling, as it can result in a hydra lock. This is a scenario in which lubrication gets between the chamber and the cartridge, causing a failure to fire. The fact that lubricant can’t then compress, can lead to the bullet not extracting properly, moving as it does all the way to the mag and the ammo contained within.
Common Malfunctions DDM4A1 Users Experience
The two main types of issues you get when using an AR-15 are malfunctions and stoppages. On the one hand, malfunctions happen when the mechanical parts of the rifle fail, be it in the magazine or the body of the weapon itself. A way to stop this type of problem is to conduct proper checks before firing to identify potential problems before they occur.
Common types of malfunction include:
- A stovepipe jam – characterized by a spent cartridge that becomes jammed in the ejection port, held there by the bolt that keeps pressure on it.
- A double Feed – as the term suggests, this is where two rounds are pulled into the chamber, resulting in neither of them firing successfully.
- Dud ammo – another common issue is when the firing pin strikes the bullet and fails to combust. While this is not strictly a mechanical problem, it does prevent firing in the same way.
So, What About DDM4A1 Stoppages?
Unlike malfunctions, stoppages are the result of a failure of the operational cycle to complete. What causes stoppages? A dirty rifle can be one cause, as can a lack of lubrication or even an improper grip. Obviously, when this occurs, you have to act safely, particularly as you’ll be moving forward towards the business end of your AR15.
There’s a very precise way you need to go about it (known as immediate action drills), and it goes as follows. If you’re firing and you experience a malfunction or stoppage, you should:
- Put your safety on ALWAYS
- Keep the rifle pointed in a safe direction
- Grab the bottom of the mag in an upward direction to ensure proper seating. Don’t do it too hard, as you’ll risk knocking a round into line with the bolt carrier.
- Pull your charging handle to the rear to observe/eject any blockage
- Release the action and tap the charging handle forward to ensure closure
- Repeat if necessary, removing & reseating the mag
It’s Important to Know How to Resolve DDM4A1 Stoppages
Knowing how to perform immediate action drills is an essential part of gun ownership. If you find yourself in a defensive situation and you can’t work out how to get your gun firing, you may as well not have it with you. The good news is that by practising your drills, it will become second nature to you, preparing you for when it really matters. If you desire to take your firearm-building skills to the next level, take the opportunity to build your own customized gun by visiting this website to see lowers in stock, perfecting your craft with an 80 lower.