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Posted: 9/17/2002 5:35:18 PM EDT
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I have 4 of the subject mags consisting of the following: #1) Parsons with SA surplus ammo #2) Okay with SA surplus ammo #3) Adventureline with Lake City ammo #4) Okay with Lake City ammo I was having random feed problems and replaced the black followers with new green followers and new springs purchased from R-Guns. Since that time only the Okay Mags (#2 & #4) work flawlessly. The other two (#1 & #3) fail to load rounds where the bullet is actually forced back into the casing. This usually happens within the first 5 rounds and randomly until about round 15. Thereafter, they feed normally. I don't believe that ammo is the culprit since both Lake City and SA work in the Okay mags. Is there a breakin period for new springs to stabilize? I noticed that the mags rocked back and forth what I felt was excessively so I tightened the mag catch by rotating clockwise 2 turns. This has not helped either. I cannot detect any defects or dimensional differences between the two groups of mags and am now at a loss as to what to try next. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance...JJ |
| I ahve had exactly the same problem with a PWA lower and various mags. I, like you, tried all of the same fixes to no avail. The final cure for me was to get rid of all of the non functioning mags and replace them with NIW Sanchez and Center mags with green followers. Yes it sucks to get rid of you mags, but getting frustrated by them is even worse. Different mags just function differently. Good luck. |
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Green followers have more bearing surface than the black followers did, and there may be rough spots in the mag where the GFs are rubbing. The solution is to use a tool (I use a wooden ruler) to run the follower up and down in the mag a few dozen times. This will either smooth out the mag, or will reveal where there is a flaw on the inside of the mag that's hanging up the follower. The only other thing that I could think of is if the spring is getting tangled on itself when fully compressed. -Troy |
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Install the mag catch so that the end of the threaded stud is even with the touch surface of the button. Other than that, turning it in more is useless. No matter how much you tighten it up, the mag catch still bottoms out at the same place. The mag rocks around? Sounds like you have a problem... sounds like the mag well is oversized. Has the mag well been filed on to loosen it up? The symptoms you describe do sound like the mag, or at least the front of the mag, is low. All of the mags you mention are good quality mags. It does not seem to be an ammo related problem. Are your mags new or highly used? |
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Free Man: I'll answer your questions: "The mag rocks around? Sounds like you have a problem... sounds like the mag well is oversized." The Armalite mag well has hever been modified. When locked in place all mags rock front to backabout 1-2mm. This seems to me to be within reasonable tolerance but I may be wrong. "Are your mags new or highly used?" They are used with more that 70% finish on them. They once worked well until just before I replaced the followers and springs. Per Troy..."Green followers have more bearing surface than the black followers did, and there may be rough spots in the mag where the GFs are rubbing. The solution is to use a tool (I use a wooden ruler) to run the follower up and down in the mag a few dozen times. This will either smooth out the mag, or will reveal where there is a flaw on the inside of the mag that's hanging up the follower." Thanks for the suggestion on exercising the new springs & GF's with a ruler. I'll try that and report back with results from my next range visit. Thanks to all who have responded. I promise to post a full report on a solution if and when I have one so all can benefit...JJ |
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OK, what I did was go measure the mag wells of some of my AR's. I measured the width across the middle of the magwell, from the top. I measured the length on either side of the rear notch to the front. Here are the results: SGW (Oly) Preban .932" x 2.393" Oly (Postban) .921" x 2.384" DPMS (recent mfg) .927" x 2.402" Armalite (recent) .927" x 2.391" Comparison of your mag will to these figures (not that these are perfect and what you should measure) should show that you are in the ballpark. The new green followers may have some flash around the edges, I would sand all the way around the edge of the new followers with some 400 grit silicon carbide paper, just enough to knock off any edge. Follow with some 800 grit for a semi-polish on the edge of the follower. This may help, may not. |
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