New m&p15 failure to feed, failure to extract

B

Bama16

Joined
Feb 9, 2022
Messages
4
Reaction score
2
I have a new M&P15 and have take it to the range twice. Each time the rifle will either extract and not feed, or fail to extract. Sometimes the charge handle is nearly impossible to pull back and it takes some work to extract the round (1 out of 3-4 rounds). If it does extract, it will fail to fire because the new round failed to feed (audible click of the hammer). Pulling the charge handle will load the round each time. I'm using cheap steel, tula and wolf, and get the same experience with both. I have multiple pmags and have the same issue with each one. I bought steel to keep the range time economical, and before taking it read many old post on here saying that the many users have zero issue with steel.

After the first time out I broke down the gun and BCG. It felt like the cam on the BCG wasn't moving as freely as it should. I made sure the ring gaps were evenly spaced apart, lubed, and reassembled.

I was optimistic that this would fix it, but the second time out yield the same results. I plan on another outing with some brass to see if I get the same results, but the range is 1.5hrs away, and with a new baby it's hard to get out. I want to do everything i can to make sure it works so I don't waste the travel time.

Is it possible the cheap steel is getting stuck? Yhis wouldn't address the failure to feed upon extraction, though. I don't see any obvious deformation on the spent rounds. Everything seems to move smoothly when manipulating the BCG in the upper with the lower removed. No obvious stick points.

I appreciate any insight.
 
Register to hide this ad
Scrub the chamber real well with a chamber brush dipped in solvent. Some steel rounds can leave sticky goo behind from the coating they use to prevent corrosion of the case. Clean your BCG and slather it in oil just before you hit the range. Too much oil is better than too little for a newish rifle. Then fire a few mags of good brass ammo through it. If the brass rounds have problems send the gun to S&W for service. If they don't you can assume it was the ammo and not the gun.

I've had steel rounds stick in the chambers of my ARs, but not as often as you describe. I've not had failures to feed with them, though. IMO Wolf is better than Tula when it comes to steel rounds, and polymer coating is better than lacquer coating as far as not leaving sticky residue in the chamber.

The failure to feed, though, makes me think the bolt could be out of spec.
 
Last edited:
Some are gtg with steel, others not so much. Sometimes if you smooth-out the chamber, all will be well. Smoothing is very simple and instructions can be found online.
 
On a new gun, call S&W for known problems with your serial number. If that does not help? THEN; First - Clean and lube per MILITARY manuals, NOT commercial. Second - Use brass ammo to be sure your ammo is not the problem. One 20 round box of USA made commercial is well worth the cost for your 90 minute drive. Third - Is your rifle chambered for 223 Remington or NATO 5.56x45? If it states on the BARREL "5.56" it will shoot either. If "223" it may not. Last - If you doubt the chamber is really clean, use a MILITARY chamber brush on a cleaning rod and make at least 10 complete rotations followed by a tight patch with solvent and dry. Do not lube chamber. Or, wrap a wad of steel wool around a cleaning patch and chuck the rod in a handheld drill. Put in chamber and run for a slow five count. No, it will not damage the chamber. Solvent patch and dry. Do not lube chamber. Your comment about the bolt cam pin indicates the gun has not had the factory grease removed and lubricated properly with the MILITARY recommended lube. LSA or CLP, not gun oil. Let me know your results. I have fired many thousands of Wolf 223 thru my different AR's for decades. They do eventually gum up and slow down, but not the problems you are having.
 
I called S&W, and told them what was happening and they gave me a fedex shipping label. I appreciate all of the replies.

I was worried about the bolt being out of spec too.

barrel is 5.56, and the entire BCG was disassembled and lubed with CLP after the first outing. Problem continued second time out.

I have never had the gun feed, and that has me concerned. I think shipping it back to them is the most efficient route, since they can spec everything and make sure it's operational.
 
When I read posts about M&P15 problems. I am so grateful i got a great one.
Sport 1. Have had it over 10years has been100% reliable and very accurate.
It is my sincere hope Bama that your rifle gets all problems corrected fast.
Best of luck
Jim
 
I had that same problem and S&W replaced the bolt. It was out of spec.
 
I wanted to come back and wrap up this post. Smith and Wesson received the gun, and they polished the chamber and barrel, as well as replaced the entire bcg. Took them about 4 weeks from ship to receipt. Took it out last weekend and it ran both brass and steel without issue. I appreciate all of the help!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Model 19-9 misfire/failure to ignite
Replies
16
Views
335
Taj
Taj
B
M&P15 SBR
Replies
15
Views
1K
Badmatrix
B
S
m&p shield 45 ftf (failure to feed)
Replies
19
Views
1K
Longone
Longone
dben002
Guilty as charged
Replies
3
Views
931
dben002
dben002
H
SW22 Victory fail to eject and jam.
Replies
3
Views
346
Autonomous
Autonomous

Latest posts

Back
Top