SAR-2 Problem ...

[RustyHammer]

I have a new (unfired) SAR-2 that I have a problem with.

The bolt/action functions fine when there is an empty mag inserted. I can pull the bolt back, dry fire, etc. No problem. However, when the mag is loaded (i.e. has any number of cartridges in it, 1 - 30), the bolt will only go back about 1/2 way. Cannot chamber a round.

Have tried with several mags. Same problem. (And works fine, like I say, when same mag is empty.)

Any suggestions, ideas, etc.?

Thanks in advance,

Rusty

 

[Daedalus]

Are you engaging the safety lever when you insert a "live" mag? The bolt on my SAR 1 will only go halfway when the safety lever is engaged.

 

[RustyHammer]

No .... it's not the safety.

Safety is OFF ....
that would be too easy!

 

[Dave Markowitz]

In your shoes, I'd call Century, tell them of the problem, and arrange to send it in for servicing. They have a good rep for fixing their rifles. (Too bad they don't have such a good rep for building them right in the first place. )

 

[Dave R]

This is a puzzler. If it were one mag, I would suspect a mishshaped follwer holding the cartridge at a wrong angle. Or a too-strong spring shoving the cartridges up too hard.

Just to make sure, you are using 5.45 mags and not 7.62 mags, right?

I pulled out my SAR-3 and checked it. Bolt pull with no mag, empty mag, and full mag is identical. Presence of a cartridge in the mag does not add enough drag to feel a difference in bolt pull.

Another thought...maybe your mag well is shaped wrong, and the mag is locking too high? Naaah. That would cause problems with empty mag or loaded mag.

All I can think of is you're using 7.62 AK mags. If that's not the case, I agree with frodo. Send it back. And do it within 30 days to avoid trouble.

 

[ARperson]

We had to perform some troubleshooting with our SAR-2 which liked to fire single shot. Turns out the top cover was so out of spec that the bolt could not return with a loaded mag. and bolt would stay rearward. At first I tried bending and grinding the top cover, then I just replaced it.

Try it with the top cover taken off the receiver (It will still shoot fine). We replaced ours and the gun worked fine.

Have also heard of the bolt carrier surface that runs over the top of the magazines needing a little "machining", but I would try the top cover first.

 

[Tomac]

Wow, never heard of that particular problem in a SAR-2 before. This is a shot in the dark but check to see if the gas piston is binding in the gas tube. Century welds their stainless gas piston instead of properly pinning it with a little play. Sometimes the welded gas piston is off-center enough to bind against the gas tube and cause functioning problems. Good luck!
Tomac

 

[RustyHammer]

I was hoping to find a simple fix for the problem without having to send back to Century, but it's looking like that may be the route I take.

I'm definitely using the correct mags.

Problem still exists with the cover off. (Took it off in trying to locate where it's binding.)

Problem/fix seems to be more down the path that ARPerson was headed with the "Have also heard of the bolt carrier surface that runs over the top of the magazines needing a little "machining" idea. I think that's it.

Observations:

I noticed last night that it does seems to catch at that point where the bolt passes over the mag -- even when empty. It "bumps" the guide (not sure of it's correct name) above the mag well where the bolt's groove slides back on. Will not go past that point with a cartridge in the mag.

If I pull the bolt all the way back and place the mag in, it slides forward with no problem, chambering a round.

Called Century and got an RMA number to return it, but I think I'm going to wait until I go to the range Saturday and have the gunsmith there take a peak at it for me before paying to send it back.

Thanks for all the ideas guys, you're the best!

/Rusty