my lr308 has 2 problems. Please help me!

[caveman379]

This is my first post and I would like to say thank you to everyone in advance. I have recently aquired a lr308 that i am guessing is a little older because it looks like the lr308b except that the gas block does not have a rail attached. I am extremely confused! I have 2 plastic no name mags that allow the gun to function; but with jamming. (about 1 or 2 rounds a box) I just went to the SAR show and just picked up 3 C-products mags that are supposed to match the dpms and they only fit in the gun if the bolt is pulled back in the locked postion. (sigh) and... when I tried a DPMS mag it went in so tight that It took me and my gorilla sized friend to remove it.

So, is it the magwell/and mag catch/lower reciever that is not properly machined and my mags are sitting high in the gun and occasionaly jamming the gun? But why are the DPMS mags so tight in their own gun? This is very frustrating as I have used a micrometer and saw that from the top of the mag catch hole in the mag to the top of the mag itself there were more than just a few thousandths in difference. I would assume use DPMS mags but they have to be forced in the most. I think I have to take some of the finnish off of the inside of the mag well and maybe pollish it and blue it after I shave a few thousandths but... even if I figure out the mag problem I have a funny feeling that the jamming problem is something different. Where do i start? Where do I establish my base of proceeding forward with my work. As an AR-15 entheusiast I am shocked that this Lr308 is such a mess. If my post was confusing I apologize. Its just my brain trying to make sense of this mess.

Brian

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

It's very obvious that there is a quality control issue somewhere. Finding out which part is going to take some trial and error. Do you happen to have a mil-spec cheap-0 magazine that you can try in it? You said that the plastic magazines go in but jam every so often. That tells me that it is either the magazine spring being too weak or your rifle is not cycling far enough to pick up the next round. The latter could indicate a problem with the gas system or some type of friction within the action slowing things down. The cheapest option is to wipe down the whole upper receiver and bolt, then put a medium/light coat of Breakfree CLP on all contact surfaces. If that doesn't work then try different ammo. Only use military ammo (7.62x51mm) if your gun is stamped/rated for those pressures. PMC bronze is loaded to 7.62x51 pressures and the primer has a military crimp. It is hot stuff! If it still jams after those two tests then it is probably your gas system or magazine spring. Give them a try and let me know. PM me if you have any further questions.

As far as the magwell being tight, it sounds like it wasn't inletted enough in the milling process at teh factory and that could be a warranty issue with the factory.

 

[jpwilly]

Write Shane at DPMS and he'll take care of you...

This DPMS Firearms, LLC firearm is warranted to the original retail customer for Three Years from the date of purchase against defects in material and workmanship. All parts and labor or replacement at our option are covered.

My DPMS LR-308 AP4 hiccups here and there on Federal softpoint Power Shok ammo but will feed fmj and hp just fine. C Products mags fit snug and funtions just as well. I've noticed you cannot lock in a full 20rnd magazine only 19rnds but the factory metal mags are slightly smaller and fit perfectly...they feed just fine whether full or not.

 

[skidooman603]

I also have a .308 sportical. I bought Cproducts mags and they fit and function better than the factory mags. Did you get on DPMS website? They have a forum where a factory moderator answers questions a couple times a day.

 

[aubie515]

Are the two plastic mags 10rd mags? If yes, then you have one of the original DPMS LR. When the first batches of DPMS LR were offered they were sent with two transparent 10 rd mags. I had a DPMS that had the same mags. Some folks had some serious relaibility issues with those 10rd mags, so DPMS went with the 20rd mags. DPMS was offering a deal where you sent in the transparent mags and $10.95 per mag and DPMS would upgrade you to the stee 20rd mags. Give them a buzz and talk to them and they will take care of you.

 

[wally]

I just got some 20 round C-products mags for the DMPS .308 that were ordered in January, and just arrived, and like you, found they don't work . The problem is the feed lips aren't right and cause the bolt to bind.

Also the Teflon finish flakes off if you look at it wrong. I'd return them and get real DPMS mags.

--wally.

 

[caveman379]

You guys are awesome!

As this was my first post I am extremely greatful and surprised in the response of this community! I am glad to know that there are are other people that have had this experience that are willing to share. It seems that in light of Aubie515s' reply that I probably have the original 2 10 round transparent mags that came with the early model gun. I have to find known good mags which is impossible in NY:banghead: but if anyone has any ideas how to find them I will definately listen In response to Taurus the upper (and the whole rest of the gun for that matter) was thoroughly cleaned spotless and the bolt as well and all lubed with Breakfree just as you said and I have only been using surplus 7.62 x 51 battlepack ammo. I don't want to say I don't have in issue in the top half of the gun but it is hard to make headway when I don't have known good mags to elimnate the feed variable. This really sucks because it is so inconcistent. Wally had the same problem with C products mags (bolt clearing the feedlips) that I have, yet JPwilly and Skidooman say that C products work great in their guns. Maybe the newer LRs' and the older LRs' have quite a bit of difference in machineing. IDK. I think I have to start with a good mag.

At the small arms review show in York PA recently, I am pretty sure I got the only 3 mags at the whole show. Every table I went to all the dealers had a dreamy look in their eye when they heard LR308 mags. I don't know what to do because I just found newer production 10 round panther mags and they had to be forced in the well. Not to catch. Just to go in the gun. As a catholic I don't pray much but I think I better start. LOL. Thanks again. I'll take any info anyone has. Its like one big math problem.

 

[lipadj46]

Check out 44mag.com (not sure if he has AR10 mags but probably). Also he will send you hi cap magazines in pieces to fix your worn out preban magazines. Just don't assemble them because that would be illegal.

 

[wally]

Maybe the newer LRs' and the older LRs' have quite a bit of difference in machineing.

Nope, the Gap between the feed lips where the bolt has to go through to strip off a round is clearly narrower on the C-Products mag than on the DPMS mags I have -- easily visible if you compare A/B -- probably half a mm or so which means the bolt won't fit the gap and binds about half way forward .

--wally.

 

[ParaElite]

I started with 4 DPMS magazines, 2 for my LR .308 and 2 for my TAC 20. I also managed to find some good deals on more and purchased another 9 of the DPMS magazines. Reading this thread has convinced me that I made the right decision in staying away from the C-Products version. I am waiting for the Magpul version though.

CAVEMAN379,
If you have the older version of the LR308 lower where the mag release button well is different, that may be an issue. I don't know, just a guess. I would definitely call DPMS and try to get them to look at it.

 

[jpwilly]

Nope, the Gap between the feed lips where the bolt has to go through to strip off a round is clearly narrower on the C-Products mag than on the DPMS mags I have -- easily visible if you compare A/B -- probably half a mm or so which means the bolt won't fit the gap and binds about half way forward

Dare I say...spread the lips!

 

[wally]

Dare I say...spread the lips!

Very bad idea as it'll likely change the feed angle.

What I did do was file on magazine to make the gap match the DPMS mags so the bolt wouldn't bind. Got to the range this morning and it ran 100% for two loadings -- was all the time I had.

So there is hope if you are mechanically inclined. I'd rather fix them myself than hassle with returning them with no assurances that the replacements would get here any quicker or actually be any better. But for the price charged I shouldn't have to be doing this to make them work!

I verified the 20 round "capacity" although there is no way you can insert it into the gun with the bolt forward so tactical reloads are out unless you only load 19. Generally I'll load 20 as most .308 comes 20 to the box, I'll just have to remember to lock the bolt back before trying to insert the magazine.

--wally.