AR-15 feeding problem

[DontBurnMyFlag]

hey everyone.

i took my Colt AR-15 sporter to the range today. I shot only 150+ rounds through it. towards the end of the day I started noticing that it took a considerable amount of force to get the magazine in the magwell. when the bolt was locked back, it was easy, there were no problems with getting the mag in. When the bolt was in the forward position, i would have to slam or use considerable pressure to get the magazine to lock. I dont believe I have ever had this problem. if anybody knows whats going on, please let me know.

-kev

 

[goon]

Was it like that when you first started?
You may be feeling the top round in the magazine pushing against the bolt carrier when you insert the magazine with the action closed.
With it open you won't feel that because there isn't anything in place to put any force against the top round in the mag.

 

[DMK]

when the bolt was locked back, it was easy, there were no problems with getting the mag in. When the bolt was in the forward position, i would have to slam or use considerable pressure to get the magazine to lock.

It's probably the compressed spring tension of a fully loaded magazine like Goon said. Reduce your load to 28 round per mag, then try.

I'm not sure why you didn't notice that at the start of your session. Perhaps you weren't loading your mags to capacity when you started?

What kind of mags were you using?

 

[DontBurnMyFlag]

its not that I didnt notice it during the beginning of my session, its just that I didnt notice it at all since I had the weapon. I did take 1 round out of the mag and noticed a slight difference. however, thanks to NJ, rather than 28 in a mag...I will have 8...hooray

 

[DMK]

Ah yea, ten round mags.

Assuming you have more than one mag, do all the mags do it? Have you tried dissasembling them and cleaning them? There might be some grit in the mags jamming them up when the spring is fully compressed.

I haven't tried any ten round mags, but my 20s aren't as hard to lock when full as my 30s. (sorry, not trying to rub it in) Of course your tens might be extra tight so you can't squeeze that extra round in.

If all else fails, I'd just load them to capacity and lock the bolt back before inserting them. Or try a different brand magazine.

 

[DontBurnMyFlag]

i have the higher priced bushmaster 10 rd mags. I cleaned off the mags as well. and every mag does it. i mean, i just have to make sure I slap it good and hard, but I dont think it should be doing this.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

The ten round mags are probably on the tight side to make sure you can't accidentally wedge an extra round in... add to that the normal AR15 issues with loading a full magazine on a bolt that is in battery and that probably explains the issue.

 

[DontBurnMyFlag]

so basically, I should just load 8 rounds in, OR load the weapon with the bolt locked back? I can do that, i just do target shooting. besides, if the SHTF Im not taking a bunch of 10rd mags around with me haha.

 

[richardschennberg]

Are you sure it's supposed to be a 10-round mag?
I have heard at least one manufacturer has shipped guns with 8 or 9 rounders to avoid being caught in the catch-22:
1. if you can fit in 11, go to jail (or at least expect the BATF to confiscate your "11 rounders");
2. if you advertise it as a 10-rounders, the customers are dissatisfied if they can only fit in 8 or 9.
I'm pretty sure I have seen ads for factory replacement 8-rounders. I don't remember if it was Colt, but I would not be surprised if it was. I think I have one such 8-rounder from a Colt H-Bar I purchased when there was a 10-round limit. If you call the manufacturer, the customer service representative should be able to tell you what type of magazine you were supposed to have, even if you are not the original owner. Have the serial number handy when you call.
Richard
Schennberg.com