XM193 FTE Issues?

[ohbejuan]

I just had a chance to shoot my M&P 15 OR today for the first time. I had several mags loaded up with the 5.56 Brown Box Federal XM193 and just about every single round (5-10) I tried to put through it, it was an FTE and the next round would get jammed up into the back of the previous. Has anyone else had a similar problem?

I switched to some of the .223 Federal 100 Round Value Pack stuff you used to get at Wal-Mart (AE223BL) and every single round out of the entire box had not a single issue.

 

[AR-Getsome]

I never had a problem. I shot some last week @100 & 200 yards. They performed flawlessly.

 

[DrDyno]

XM193 Problems in a KelTec SU-16C

Hi,

I had a KelTec SU16C which refused to eject XM193. The rifle was brand new so I was not happy. One of the range officers was next to me shooting a Mini-14. I gave him a box of the XM193 to try and every one cycled in his rifle. Really pissed me off!

But... before destroying the rifle I drove to the nearest LGS and bought some expensive Hornady rounds. Every one fired and ejected perfectly.

From my understanding, XM193 rounds are Lake City military rejects. However, some of the reasons for rejection are supposed to be minor. Be that as it may, I will never buy another XM193 round.

 

[Rmag]

Just put 100 rounds through my brand new M&P 15T, no problems.

You may want to load some rounds in the magazine, chamber one, and then slowly pull the charging handle back and watch the bolt retract. Maybe you can see what's going on. If the bolt isn't extracting the round, maybe you have an extractor pin/spring issue?

 

[ohbejuan]

I think for the time being I'm going to stick to the 55 gr federal washed brass stuff (walmart cheap-o)...

I shot 100 rounds of it without a single issue yesterday after the 3-5 FTE problems with the 5.56. I did a thorough cleaning yesterday and put another 70 rounds of the .223 fed through it without a single hiccup. I may give it a try in the future, just a bit bothered by it, but I understand it's a slightly different round

 

[Rmag]

Did you clean your gun before using it for the first time?

 

[MichiganScott]

If it's not extracting the empty case, the rubber gizmo that usually is with the extractor spring may be missing and the higher port pressure of the milsurp ammo may be pulling the extractor over the rim before the brass springs back and releases its hold on the chamber walls.

I don't remember exactly which one S&W uses, but the gizmo is usually a rubber donut around the spring or a rubber plug inside the coils.

Along the same line of thought, is the buffer and buffer spring original and did you ever take the buffer apart?

 

[BillyJack2012]

As MichiganScott asks, is this a new, factory OR and were any modifications done to it? I shoot XM1193 almost exclusively unless I can find the Federal .223 stuff somewhere. I've never had a failure of any kind. I'd look into modifications or any issues you may have. 193 should cycle fine for you.

 

[ohbejuan]

I did not clean it before using it for the first time, so there is a potential there.

I also did make a few modifications before using it (so I'm definitely not faulting S&W and their weapon). It very well could be the buffer/gas block/etc. I'll give it a shot next time I'm at the range or get a hold of some more of the lake city stuff. If all else fails, as long as I can manage to find it, I don't have any issue in shooting only 223, it worked flawlessly!

I'm just concerned that the brass itself of the XM193 was dirty, surely that adds (even microns?) to the thickness of the casing inside the chamber? From what I understand, this is standard of the XM193.

 

[BillyJack2012]

Clean and lube. Run it wet.

 

[George9]

Clean and lube. Run it wet.

And break it in then it should run smooth with the ammo..George

 

[MichiganScott]

The AR15 is a battle rifle. They run dirty if lubricated with just about anything. There are pictures of them on the Internet with 5000+ rounds with nothing more than a couple of squirts of Vagisil Douche at regular intervals. Figure how well they will run if properly maintained.

Google "Filthy AR15".

 

[George9]

If it's not extracting the empty case, the rubber gizmo that usually is with the extractor spring may be missing and the higher port pressure of the milsurp ammo may be pulling the extractor over the rim before the brass springs back and releases its hold on the chamber walls.

I don't remember exactly which one S&W uses, but the gizmo is usually a rubber donut around the spring or a rubber plug inside the coils.

Along the same line of thought, is the buffer and buffer spring original and did you ever take the buffer apart?

Ya what he said!! Easy enough to check to see if this is your issue without firing a single round. I also suggest you look.. George

 

[ohbejuan]

Is there any way to check to see if the rubber part of the extractor is there/in good shape without taking the bolt apart? I watched a video on that and it would seem to be slightly out of my comfort zone...

I'll definitely try a 556 shell and watch the extraction closely

 

[ohbejuan]

Oh, btw, I did Remoil it before firing, just not a thorough cleaning/brushing

 

[Rmag]

Page 34 of the Safety & Instruction Manual M&P 15 Centerfire Rifles:

"Before using your firearm for the first time, it should be cleaned.
• Your firearm was treated at the factory with either a preservative or oil to protect it against corrosion during shipping and storage.
• Preservative and oil should be wiped from the bore, chamber and exposed areas using a clean swab or patch before using the firearm."

Not sure how much it matters but I did it.

 

[nawilson]

If cleaning and lubricating it doesn't work, then try changing magazines. They are a "usual suspect" with AR problems.

 

[vtecwil]

I also did make a few modifications before using it (so I'm definitely not faulting S&W and their weapon). It very well could be the buffer/gas block/etc. I'll give it a shot next time I'm at the range or get a hold of some more of the lake city stuff. If all else fails, as long as I can manage to find it, I don't have any issue in shooting only 223, it worked flawlessly!

What did you modify ?

 

[ohbejuan]

Gas block/rails/compensator/buffer/buffer spring

 

[Hoss0432]

sounds like a can of worms


fear the free