TacMedic556
10-25-12, 20:32
I will try to keep this as objective as possible. Most of us use USGI or PMAGS, an individual brought a brand new, never used TAPCO to a training day this week where the following occurred:
Magazine was loaded with 30 rounds of 55 grain FMJ 223 Rem from Bitterroot Valley Ammunition (training rounds). The magazine was inserted into another individuals 3 shot burst capable, older Olympic Arms 16" Carbine with Rifle butt stock and buffer assembly. This is the teams only non 6933 carbine, being a throwback to earlier times when the department ran such pieces. This carbine has a clean record so far and cycles with USGI and PMAGs just fine. Typicall it is a rack gun, not for team members or use other than some training where an extra gun is needed.
Upon releasing the bolt, the first round (feeding off the right side of the mag) struck the "ok" M4 feed ramps, forcing the bullet all the way back into the case and causing a failure to feed. The malf was cleared, magazine re-inserted. The round on the left, fed fine. One round was fired on "semi" and the next round malfunctioned the same way. The problem continued to occur each and every time the rounds were feeding from the right side of the mag (ejection port side). The magazine was tossed to a guy with a Colt 6933, where it fed on rapid semi auto fire with no problems.
It allowed for some good training on clearing the malfunction and switching to a secondary weapon during some live fire drills. I am proud to say that on two occasions where I was using the weapon, I was able to transition to pistol quickly and issue shots with the pistol to the center mass at 15 yards. Below are photos of the mag and carbine involved.
http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i340/Tacmedic556/1022121522.jpg
http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i340/Tacmedic556/1022121523.jpg
Lesson? Buy Colt, Buy PMAGs.
Magazine was loaded with 30 rounds of 55 grain FMJ 223 Rem from Bitterroot Valley Ammunition (training rounds). The magazine was inserted into another individuals 3 shot burst capable, older Olympic Arms 16" Carbine with Rifle butt stock and buffer assembly. This is the teams only non 6933 carbine, being a throwback to earlier times when the department ran such pieces. This carbine has a clean record so far and cycles with USGI and PMAGs just fine. Typicall it is a rack gun, not for team members or use other than some training where an extra gun is needed.
Upon releasing the bolt, the first round (feeding off the right side of the mag) struck the "ok" M4 feed ramps, forcing the bullet all the way back into the case and causing a failure to feed. The malf was cleared, magazine re-inserted. The round on the left, fed fine. One round was fired on "semi" and the next round malfunctioned the same way. The problem continued to occur each and every time the rounds were feeding from the right side of the mag (ejection port side). The magazine was tossed to a guy with a Colt 6933, where it fed on rapid semi auto fire with no problems.
It allowed for some good training on clearing the malfunction and switching to a secondary weapon during some live fire drills. I am proud to say that on two occasions where I was using the weapon, I was able to transition to pistol quickly and issue shots with the pistol to the center mass at 15 yards. Below are photos of the mag and carbine involved.
http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i340/Tacmedic556/1022121522.jpg
http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i340/Tacmedic556/1022121523.jpg
Lesson? Buy Colt, Buy PMAGs.