Bushmaster question? Help.

[wellthought]

I have a Bushmaster XM-15 (BCWA3F) that I've shot on four separate occasions in the past using only .223 Federal 50gr. JHP from the Walmart 200-round value packs. Before today, I had a total of 219 flawless rounds through it.

Well, TODAY, I shot one 30 round magazine of the same ammo and experienced TWO FTFeed. All I had to do is pull the rod and let go and the stuck round would chamber and fire.

What could be wrong?

 

[janobles14]

dirty would be my guess first.
second would be the mag springs or lips.
third would be a lot of ammo that wasnt properly sized.

 

[wellthought]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to clean it right now. I'm not going to put soo much CLP in the bolt carrier.

 

[wellthought]

I had left it stored with Breakfree CLP on the bolt carrier's exterior for about six months before shooting it today. I think Breakfree CLP is not that great of a lube since upon inspection of my bolt carrier, just now, it's pretty dry.

So, I have now lubed the bolt carrier's exterior with Militec-1 that will STAY "wet" for a long time (I think). I'll be going to the range tomorrow to see if that was what caused the FTFeeds.

 

[WC145]

I suggest more lube and more break-in time before you start thinking the gun has issues. 2 ftf's in under 250rds is nothing to worry about. I have a carbon fiber Bushmaster and although it's not supposed to require as much lubrication as a regular one I run it pretty wet (I use RemOil) and I've never had any issues or stoppages and I shoot all kinds of ammo from the cheapest foreign crap to premium stuff. The only thing I don't use is Wolf steel case.

Our local S.O. just switched to Bushmaster AR-15's for patrol rifles and had numerous failures the first time out to the range with them but they were all being shot out of the box, no lube, no nothing. They were using Hornady TAP ammo.

 

[Byron Quick]

Just to be sure, what type of magazines are you using?

Moved your thread to the proper forum. You'll get more informed answers here and probably more informed ones.

 

[Al Thompson]

I'd be wary of the magazine first. I think you said you've shot that particular ammo through the rifle with no issues? If so, I'd be inclined to switch magazines and see if that helps. Also - number your magazines so you can track problems, I.E., if you get consistent jams when using a particular magazine, you know it's got problems.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Mag check first
-Try oiling the feed lips and the bottom of the bolt carrier

Dirty Action Second
-Dirt and grime in the action can slow down bolt movement, causing a failure to feed.

Feed ramp check third
-Bushmaster has this problem often where the feed ramps are not beveled right so when a round hits it it slows down considerably. It's like trying to push a V.W. bug over a brick wall before moving on. You might take a picture of the chamber from underneath the upper receiver and post it on the forum. That will give me a clue as to what might be causing the problem.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Use Break Free and lube the crap out the carrier and bolt---then work it into the extractor and plunger----put it back together and go shootin.


Is the key staked properly??

 

[FlyinBryan]

lube the 4 rails on the bolt carrier, front and rear faces of the locking lugs, sides of the cam pin, bolt gas rings, bolt bearing surface just ahead of the gas rings, and inside the cam pin hole in the carrier.

my guns that jammed stopped when i switched from break free to mobil 1.

its been far superior to any lube ive ever used.

run you ar wet.

 

[wellthought]

I use the BFI mags made by Bushmaster - the ones that come with the rifle. I'm going to lube it up good and test it some more today. I'll post the results.

 

[wellthought]

I'm not sure how to know if the key is staked correctly. It is very tightly attached and the two nuts are both in the same orientation. It seems pretty solid to me.

 

[Tommygunn]

The key is staked by two punch marks either side of the two nuts that hold the gas key. Bushmaster tends to do a cursory job of this. They're probably too light and don't actually engage the bolts.
Make sure the key is down tight and tighten with hex wrench if it's loose.
As your gun is new I doubt this is the problem, but keep this in mind for the future.
Plus you say it's tight, so that's good.

 

[wellthought]

Thanks for all your input everyone.

I lubed the bolt carrier and the bolt real good with Militec-1 and I shot 70 rounds today completely flawless. My Bushy is THE most accurate rifle I've ever shot. I can hit a 12" target at 50 yards consistently without really trying to aim all that carefully.

I love this gun. From now on it's Militec-1. In fact, Sig ships their guns with a bottle of Militec-1. Great stuff.

No more malfunctions here!!!

 

[Al Thompson]

Get more mags too - Bravo Company has about the best price/service.