HOPE I have mag problems...

[emore]

The reason I hope that so fervently is that my brand new Sport has been jamming on every second round when the mag is loaded with more than 5 or 6 shells. The first mag was the Magpul Pmag that comes with the gun and the mag absolutely would NOT latch in the well. I took it to my LGS/range and we tried several other polymer and metal mags, all of which latched up just fine in the Sport. Also, the original Pmag would hook up in any of their other ARs, including a Sport that they had there. I ended up buying just one 30 round Brownell's metal mag for almost $20 and it catches well but it won't load the gun properly. Either that or the gun may have some type of problem. It seems highly unlikely that the gun has an issue to me. They have made a few of them, after all. When loaded with 10 or 20 rounds, each round that should have loaded automatically ends up jammed with a nasty scratch down the side from the lug slamming on it. Has anyone here had any similar problems that they have worked out? I have several different mags on order from a couple of different suppliers, and I'm hoping that will be the fix. Right now, I'm kind of missing the Bushmaster that I sold a year ago.
Input?


emore

 

[Plinker1962]

There was a thread not too long ago "Trouble with 20 rd pmags". Check it out. There are also photos showing you what the problem was with the Pmags.

 

[Blondie70]

I had problems with the second round on some 20 rnd p-mags I ordered. Would not pick it up...the bolt closed on an empty chamber.
I ordered a couple metal stoner mags and all works good.
Good Luck....Pete
ps: the 30 rnd pmag that came with the rifle works good.

 

[MichiganScott]

How are you holding the rifle? I've seen jams like you mention when the shooter uses the mag for a monopod or front hand hold.

 

[emore]

How are you holding the rifle? I've seen jams like you mention when the shooter uses the mag for a monopod or front hand hold.

Just a standard hold using the handguards. That is a good point to be aware of though. Thanks.

 

[storeyteller]

If you are having the problem no matter which mag you use, then the problem ain't the mag(s). I would clean the gun thoroughly, including spraying carb cleaner through the gas system, and maybe try different ammo to boot. My sport eats whatever I feed it, but could be something to think about. If the problem persisted, I would send it back to S&W. I hate it that your having problems, but stuff happens. Good luck.

 

[SW Gun Guy]

I agree it does not sound like a mag problem. Agree with the clean and spary and be sure to run the gun really wet (put some lube on bolt just before shooting). Trying other mags is certainly a first step, but I think next is to try other ammo. Almost sounds like the round is not kicking the bolt back far enough (yes clean the gas system). Keep us posted.

 

[emore]

This problem, as far as the feeding goes, seems to have corrected itself. The rifle cycles reliably now as long as I'm using metal magazines. I have tried a total of four different Magpul Pmags with it and they can all be pulled right out using only my bare hand, no release button needed. Naturally, it still drops the mag after each round when using a polymer mag, so I mostly don't bother. I emailed S&W about the problem but haven't heard anything yet. It sounds to me like I am the only one with a rifle that won't grip a polymer mag. Any thoughts on what could be causing that issue?
Thanks.

 

[jsimmons]

It might be that you have to make a small adjustment to the mag release button. Try backing it out half a turn.

I've also found that i have to bump *full* mags from the bottom so they become completely seated in the mag well. Try not filling your mags to capacity, or even try it with empty mags.

 

[emore]

I finally contacted S&W and they are sending me a FedEx label to ship the gun back to let them fix it. It has finally started shooting reliably after I realigned the gas rings. Don't know if that had anything to do with it but it shoots well now. Even got it sighted in. But it still refuses to hold an empty Magpul polymer magazine. S&W, here she comes! On the plus side, I also bought a Sig-Sauer AR, the M400 version, to hold me over while the Smith is at the Mothership.
Thanks for the input. I'll let you know if they get it fixed. They are closing down for two weeks until the 13th, so I may hold off on sending it for a few days.

 

[RainDodger]

As far as the magazine coming out of the well when you pull on it, I had the exact same thing happening with Lancer's magazines (not the newest ones, but the L5s). The magazines are designed such that the magazine catch is not able to drop fully into the indentation in the magazine. It bears on the side of the magazine.

I talked to Lancer, who very kindly sent replacement magazines - and I hear that Magpul is very responsive to problems as well. You should call them for sure and ask if it's a common problem.

My solution (which has worked perfectly) was to file a bit of the polymer away on the side of the magazine behind the indentation for the magazine catch. That will allow the rifle's catch to seat itself deeper. No more problems.

Let us know what solves your issue - too often we never hear what the solutions are! It helps us all....

 

[emore]

Sorry for the late follow-up. The jamming problem resolved itself, reason unknown. The gun had to go back to the Mothership to be fixed for the failure to hold a poly mag. They got it back to me, fixed properly, in just 9 days. I'm very pleased with my Sport now. Especially at the price I paid for it, $554.95 at the LCS (local cop shop.)

 

[Foxtrot]

Mag holding and issues aside, as far as jamming did you by chance have a look at the bolt and stagger the gas ring gaps by at least one third of a turn?

One of the reasons a constant jamming problem suddenly goes away (absent other issues, and lubrication is ok), all the gaps in the rings were lined up enough (at least partially if not fully) to allow gas pressure to decrease too rapidly for the bolt to cycle fully or quickly enough at some point. During cleaning or maintanance the gas rings are shifted either purposely or by accident so the gaps are not lined up and suddenly the jamming issue goes away. You see people post things like "the jamming problem went away after I cleaned it". One fix for this is to change out the gas rings for a > AR-15 MCFARLAND ONE PIECE BOLT GAS RING < doesn't have any gaps. However, if worried about the warranty until the warranty expires i'd stay with the standard gas rings.

 

[emore]

Mag holding and issues aside, as far as jamming did you by chance have a look at the bolt and stagger the gas ring gaps by at least one third of a turn?

One of the reasons a constant jamming problem suddenly goes away (absent other issues, and lubrication is ok), all the gaps in the rings were lined up enough (at least partially if not fully) to allow gas pressure to decrease too rapidly for the bolt to cycle fully or quickly enough at some point. During cleaning or maintanance the gas rings are shifted either purposely or by accident so the gaps are not lined up and suddenly the jamming issue goes away. You see people post things like "the jamming problem went away after I cleaned it". One fix for this is to change out the gas rings for a > AR-15 MCFARLAND ONE PIECE BOLT GAS RING < doesn't have any gaps. However, if worried about the warranty until the warranty expires i'd stay with the standard gas rings.

That's a good theory, and to be honest, I can't recall if I cleaned the gun or not before the jamming cleared up. I think it was not cleaned before the problem resolved but I couldn't swear to it. Either way, it's been cleaned now and I checked the rings carefully. I know some folks claim it doesn't matter, so I figure if it doesn't matter, I'll keep staggering them. Can't hurt, right?
Thanks for the input.

 

[storeyteller]

Glad your AR is back and funtioning properly.
You COULD try lining the gas rings up to see if that reporduces the jamming. I have tried it myself and couldn't tell any difference, but it could be a learning experience.

 

[Foxtrot]

That's a good theory, and to be honest, I can't recall if I cleaned the gun or not before the jamming cleared up. I think it was not cleaned before the problem resolved but I couldn't swear to it. Either way, it's been cleaned now and I checked the rings carefully. I know some folks claim it doesn't matter, so I figure if it doesn't matter, I'll keep staggering them. Can't hurt, right?
Thanks for the input.

It varies as to the effect. Most people never notice the difference then you come across this one gun that has these weird problems and you start trying to figure out what it could be. Actually, with todays weapons, it doesn't matter and to have the gaps lined up doesn't guarantee a malfunction, but not having them lined up should improve sealing and reduce the amount of blow by. It was probably the magazine problem causing your issues.

 

[MP22]

Sounds like a mag problem. Best way to find out is to switch mags and see.