FTF & FTE problems with my m15 Sport

tsisco

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Today was my first experience with my M-15 Sport. After about 100 rounds (during which I had a few ftf probs), I really started having so many ftf problems to the extent I put the gun away for the day. My rifle was fresh out of the box using the factory 10 rd magazine and Federal ammo. I love the gun and I've read so many rave reviews I have not lost confidence in it, so I'm hoping this is a minor problem that I can resolve without having to send it in for repairs. The ftf problems were a combination of the round jamming instead of feeding into the breech combined with rounds not being picked up out of the magazine by the bolt. Pardon the amateur vernacular, but this is my first AR and I don't know all the proper terminology yet. Any ideas?
Thanks for any input.
 
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What type of magazine did S&W include with the the gun? Is it a 10 round PMAG?

When the bolt goes forward without picking up a round, does it simply close on an empty chamber after not coming back fully? i.e., short stroking. Did you have any problems with the bolt not locking back after firing the last round in a magazine?
 
What type of magazine did S&W include with the the gun? Is it a 10 round PMAG?

When the bolt goes forward without picking up a round, does it simply close on an empty chamber after not coming back fully? i.e., short stroking. Did you have any problems with the bolt not locking back after firing the last round in a magazine?

Dragon 88...
The mag is just an anonymous 10 rd mag with no significant identifying marks, brand, or anything, not even an S & W logo.

The gun isn't short stroking because I had it ftf also from a fully held open bolt, not just after firing a round. I don't recall any problems with the bolt not locking back after the last round.

I'm hoping this is just a magazine issue but I hadn't bought any spare mags before going to the range. Do you think I should buy a couple Magpul mags and try it again before looking for warranty work?
 
Yes, I would try a 10-round Pmag. Assuming the rifle is cycling normally, which you say it is, most feed problems are caused by bad magazines.
 
Basic, but important question....did you clean and lube the gun before you went to the range? My new M&P15 was pretty dry right out of the box. A lot of feeding problems can be traced back to the mags, but the P Mags S&W includes with the gun are usually flawless. I doubt the ammo is the problem, but try something else just to be sure. keep us posted on what you find.
 
Good point, Lee, and yes, I did go thru the action and lube it before going to the range. Mine seemed to be dry, too. My concern is that a factory supplied mag would usually be presumed to be a quality mag and not the source of the problem. I'll try a different mag and see what happens. Thanks for the input!
 
Can you post a pic of the magazine you got with the gun? I was under the impression that S&W ships Pmags with these guns, but I dunno about the Cali compliant model. Perhaps someone else in Cali can comment. Was your box sealed when you bought the gun? Any chance the seller switched the good factory mag for one of lesser quality? There are no S&W marked AR magazines that I know of, but common factory mags include Pmags, C-Products, GI, etc. I have only ever seen one completely unmarked magazine as you describe, it was a piece of junk chinese knock off of GI shipped with a Century AR.

Whatever the case, a 10 round Pmag will certainly remove the magazine as a possible factor. Pmags almost never induce feed problems, they are really good magazines.
 
I'm in Massachusetts, and we are also bound by magazine restriction laws. (as well as no collapsible stock, bayonet lug, threaded barrel end)

So, my new M&P sport came with a 10-round magazine made by ASC, inc.

It looks like this
MGASC223-5RD-SS_1.jpg


I'd imagine it's the same mag that Cali got as well.

In MA, the only 30 or 20 rounders we can use have to be Pre-1994.
 
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My Sport came with the 10rnd ASC. No issues whatsoever. I have grabbed a gag of Thermold 10rnd mags as junker target mags. They have also been flawless ($7..... bargain!)
My first impression is the chamber needs a decent cleaning and polishing. Bore cleaner foam, and then use a chamber cleaner brush, or really any brush that will fit it. Many rifles are shipped with a packing oil in them, it makes them sticky right out of the crate. It's really heavy, tacky stuff made to stay put for months on end in storage.

Then, open the rifle as for cleaning the bolt. Press the buffer tube back manually, and give it a small shot of lube. Pump it back a few times; a sticky buffer can screw stuff up.
Next on the list, the magazine. Check to see the feeder is not hanging up. (I doubt it will, ASC are good to go.) If sticky, depress and give a light shot of lube. manually load and then thumb dump the ammo, see if the rounds stick at any point.
Last issue; look to the feed ramps. Rifle open, and you will see where the bullets actually feed up into the chamber. There are 2 wider ramps at the bottom. That all should be pretty well lined up. If it is off, then you might have an issue and have to send it back, or get a smith to adjust it for you via S&W warranty service. (Easier and quicker than sending it back. Most companies will do something small of the sort if necessary.)
Another thought, load a mag, and sprits the top of the mag so the first rounds head in a little wet. Sometimes, it's a drop of lube missing and it causes issues.
With this all said, my Sport has been stupid-reliable. This is a small thing, 90% guarantee it's lube/ cleaning related.
 
Good point, Lee, and yes, I did go thru the action and lube it before going to the range.

But did you clean it? There is a significant difference between cleaning and lubing. You need to clean the factory rust inhibitor out of the action, barrel, bolt carrier group, etc. I would take the buffer tube apart and clean that as well.

Then, I would lube it and give it a try.
 

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