AR-15 Mag Question

[Rockrivr1]

I currently have a couple of 30 rnd USGI mags and one 10 rnd mag for my new RRA NM AR-15. Yesterday I loaded one 30 rounder and one 10 rounder with 30 rnds and 10 rnds and tried to load the mags into the AR.

For some reason they wouldn't sit properly into the mag well. The mag didn't go far enough into the well for the mag latch to catch it even if I applied pressure to the bottom of the mag. This happened on both mags. I took out one rnd in each so I had 29 and 9 loaded and they both clicked in properly.

Ok, this is my first AR and the first time loading it with ammo, so maybe this is normal and I just don't know it.

Is that normal or am I missing something???

 

[Steve Smith]

A lot of mags are very hard if not impossible to insert when fully loaded. Most folks load 18 in 20's or 28 in 30's.

 

[BigG]

Umm, Steve, I'm thinking about your reply... Can't come up with any relevant experience that confirms what you wrote. I have pre94 Colts, do they count?

 

[Steve Smith]

I've justseen it with quite a few...many in fact. Mag hard to lock in with 30. Maybe I'm on another planet.

 

[Navy joe]

Not impossible, but hard. When the bolt is closed the top round is pushed down by the bottom of the carrier. Hard to do when it's full, just give the mag a substantial whack to seat. That's the most common malf I see with 3-gun and ARs, after a mag change the user gets a failure to feed or the mag falls out on the first shot.

Now, for starting with your empty weapon the proper AR procedure is to have the safety on, bolt locked to the rear, charging handle stowed, insert mag and make sure it locks, release bolt and let it run fwd. stripping a round. Initial load like that and you will never have a problem from the full mag. For your reload mags download by two as suggested earlier or get agressive when seating them .

 

[CWL]

Are they new mags with new springs? New springs on most gun or rifle mags are a bit 'tight' until used a few times.

This is why you are trained to slap that magazine into your gun and give it a hard 'tap' to ensure proper seating.

 

[Rockrivr1]

Whew!! I'm glad this isn't something that is just happening to me.

Ok, I guess since the AR is all new and shiney I'm babying it a little. I'll have to get a little more aggresive when "slapping" a full mag in place.

These mags are definately not new. They've seen some range time by the small dings and scratches they have, but the spring is still strong and seems to work fine.

I guess I'll just load one less then the max from now on. Then again, for shooting highpower rifle, I'll be short loading the mags anyway.

Thanks again for the information.

Troy

 

[Steve Smith]

You won't even be using 30's for that.

 

[gun-fucious]

NOTE: If your rifle malfunctions, remember S-P-O-R-T-S. This key word will help you remember these actions in sequence: Slap, Pull, Observe, Release, Tap, Shoot.


a. Slap upward on the magazine to make sure it is properly seated.

b. Pull the charging handle all the way back.

c. Observe the ejection of the case or cartridge. Look into the chamber and check for obstructions.

d. Release the charging handle to feed a new round in the chamber. Do not ride the charging handle.

e. Tap the forward assist.

f. Shoot. If the rifle still does not fire, inspect it to determine the cause of the stoppage or malfunction and take appropriate remedial action.

2. Perform remedial action.

 

[Badger Arms]

Well, I'll be darned, mine does the same thing. My manual of arms means that I NEVER insert a full magazine into the gun with bolt carrier forward. The rifle is always cleared and range-safe before I start shooting. I can imagine how this can be disconcerting. I don't plan on doing anything but what I have been doing. Perhaps you should change the way you operate the gun so you always insert a loaded magazine when the bolt is locked back? I'd think this was better than downloading, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Redlg155]

Sounds like the safe bet is to download to 18 on 20rd mags and 28 on 30 rd mags for your SHTF weapon. You definitely don't want problems if you switch mags to so you can keep the weapon fully topped off.

Good Shooting
RED

 

[BigG]

The clue is you don't insert a magazine without the bolt retracted.

 

[Steve Smith]

So you'd always put one in the chamber when you close the bolt. That's not always what you want to do. Therefore, download by a few.

 

[Redlg155]

The clue is you don't insert a magazine without the bolt retracted.

There are possible situations where you need to top off. You have an unknown amount of ammo left in your magazine and you think it best to insert a fresh magazine while you have the chance. Inserting a fresh magazine is relatively quiet. Locking your bolt back and charging your weapon isn't and will give away your position.

Most folks who have been in combat or played war games in the military have done this before.

Sure..locking back on the range is fine, but plan for everything in combat.

Good SHooting
RED

 

[Destructo6]

10-rnd mags are notoriously tight. The manufacturers don't want to risk the possibility of some character stuffing in that illegal 11th round.

 

[BigG]

I will check to make sure but I think I can seat a capacity loaded standard military mag in my AR15 without difficulty. I will not address aftermarket or low capacity mags. It pays to buy the best, I've always found. Life is too short trying to make crap work.

ADDITIONAL POINT: We got our ammo on 10 round strippers in bandoliers of 210 or sompin like dat. What do we do with the two extra rounds, throw them away? 30 round mag zip zip zip (sound of 3 clips going into mag). Oops forgot thos two pesky extra rounds zip zip (sound of stripping two rounds out of the mag). Chuck chuck. Sound of two extra rounds going into the bushes.

 

[Redlg155]

Solution? Always check your magazines.

I personally have never had any problem with Military magazines seating fully loaded in my issued M16. In fact most of them I've had could be loaded with 31 or 32 rounds, but you would catch heck seating them. Even after 30rds are loaded there should be some downward movement to allow for seating the magazines with the bolt closed.

The 18 or 28rd load is ok for those magazines that are seriously tight.

Rock,
Try leaving your magazines loaded for a week or so. It will definitely help. Example....Glock Model 27 and Model 30 magazines were notoriously tight when initially loaded to full capacity. After some time loaded they become much easier to use.

Good SHooting
RED

 

[ocabj]

anybody know where you can get springs for the 5s and 10s? my 30s are fine, but the springs in the 5s and 10s i have are worn out.