HELP! Problem with brand new DPMS LR-308 AP4

[padsave30]

Hello all,

I just purchased a brand NIB DPMS LR-308 AP4 yesterday in Dallas, Texas. I spent the better part of today finding and purchasing a scope for it etc. I get it to the range to shoot it for the first time, and find out that it will not eject spent casings, or live casings for that matter!! I am not using surplus ammo, I was using Remington .308 WIN. I broke it down completely this evening and cleaned every last bit of the firearm, put it back together, and it still will not eject the rounds! What should I do? I plan on calling the dealer who I purchased the gun through and DPMS to get this resolved. Do you guys have any suggestions for me?

Thanks!

 

[Davo]

Does it have an extractor?

 

[padsave30]

Yes it does!

 

[MarshallDodge]

Does it extract OK but not eject?

Does it have the ejector pin protruding from the bolt face?

 

[Davo]

Is it extracting, but not ejecting? Make sure youve cleaned under everything.

 

[padsave30]

It will not extract or eject. At first, the round would stick in the chamber and I would have to knock it loose from the other end. Now, the whole bolt and action sticks and it is so hard to pull it back, once I get it pulled back, the round just falls out.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Sounds like a headspacing issue. If your dealer has a set of go-no go gauges and knows how to use them then maybe he can check it for you.

Try another brand of ammo just for the heck of it.

 

[padsave30]

How is that corrected?

 

[MarshallDodge]

They will either shim the barrel or ream the chamber to the correct dimensions. Does the chamber look clean...no burrs, crud, or rough marks?

DPMS chambers are very tight. My LR308 has been OK but I had one of their target uppers that was finicky about the ammo.

 

[padsave30]

Everything appears to be in good shape, I can take a picture of the components anf post them if need be.

 

[jcs271]

I think I know what is going on with your rifle.

I bought one myself just 2 months ago and began having the same problems that you are. I went nuts trying to figure it out until I removed and closely examined the CHARGING HANDLE. The bolt springs are very heavy and with the extra long charging handle, someone/somewhere along the way had forcefully pulled the handle back (and probably UP at the same time) resulting in a SLIGHT bend in the shaft of the handle. That bend caused just enough friction/drag that the bolt would not operate properly,

I straightened the handle and now have a great rifle. The material in that charge handle seemed pretty soft to me when I straightened the shaft.
.Hope this helps.

 

[padsave30]

I just spoke with DPMS dealer here in Fort Worth, I am going to take it in this afternoon and see what they say about it.

 

[padsave30]

Sending it back to DPMS