View Full Version : FTF on a Daniel Defense
DarkMatter
05-22-11, 22:58
Hello,
New member here, have been reading up a lot but this is my first post, not on the best terms since it is about a problem I am currently experiencing with my Daniel Defense carbine (roughly 300 rounds through it, full take down and cleaning after every range visit). I basically have an Failure to Feed that happens sometimes a couple times a 30 round mag and sometimes it's every other if not every round.
When this first started occurring I though it may be the mag, so I tried a magpul pmag, a magpul emag, a Tango Down mag, a tapco mag, a c-products mag, etc....all with the same results. Than I swapped out the bolt carrier group for a spare I had on site, same issue. Than thinking it may be a weak buffer spring or an issue with the buffer, I swapped out the complete lower for another I had on site, still the same FTF issue reoccurred. the only thing left that could be the issue is the feed ramps from what I can deduce. Any educated guesses? I bought the Daniel Defense because I wanted a quality rifle, and from everything I can see it is, but this issue is giving me second thoughts about it becoming my "go to" over my .223 AK.
Some pics of the FTF:
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af194/OSKS_album/DDFTF1_2.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af194/OSKS_album/DDFTF2_2.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af194/OSKS_album/DDFTF3_2.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af194/OSKS_album/DDFTF4_2.jpg
What kind of ammo are you using?
DarkMatter
05-22-11, 23:30
I have used both PMC .223 and AE XM193bl 5.56 with the same results. Neither of these two have done this in the first 300 or so rounds when I first got the rifle, so I know the ammo is not the issue. first 300 rounds or couple trips to the range were flawless. Only my last visit to the range it started developing this issue. I went through 150 rounds trying to narrow down the issue, even cleaned and oiled it in between again to make sure.
DarkMatter
05-23-11, 00:06
BCG was actually seeping out oil, even though it's hard to see in the pics.
I would suggest you check your barrel nut and see if its loose.
I would suggest you check your barrel nut and see if its loose.
In no way am I questioning you or your knowledge...but a loose barrel nut on a Daniel Defense? Im not saying its not possible. Id be pissed if that happened lol. However I guess it couldnt hurt to check and it would explain the FTF. This same thing was happening on a friends SIG recently, it was pretty dirty, The OP says he cleans religously. The Mag was eliminated when he said he swapped them out. If it was mine I would send it back. They have great Cust. service
Daniel Defense contact info. Use it. (https://danieldefense.com/contacts)
Definitely contact DD. Doesn't sound like a simple fix we can answer here.
DarkMatter
05-23-11, 08:15
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Yeah I contacted DD before I started this post. I just though I'd see if there is anything else I can gather for the collective experience.
justin_247
05-23-11, 08:59
I had the exact same problem.
Let me guess: you're using aluminum GI magazines? And weak ammo?
If so, two things are happening:
- the GI mag has a strong spring which is putting a lot of pressure on the ammo and creating tension against the feed lips.
- the ammo is weak and isn't fully pushing the carrier back, so when it returns it doesn't have enough momentum to break that tension and loosen the round.
Try PMAGs - they're longer, so the spring isn't causing as much tension on the feed lips. If that doesn't work, swap out the H-buffer for a Carbine-buffer when shooting underpowered ammo.
I had the exact same problem.
Let me guess: you're using aluminum GI magazines? And weak ammo?
If so, two things are happening:
- the GI mag has a strong spring which is putting a lot of pressure on the ammo and creating tension against the feed lips.
- the ammo is weak and isn't fully pushing the carrier back, so when it returns it doesn't have enough momentum to break that tension and loosen the round.
Try PMAGs - they're longer, so the spring isn't causing as much tension on the feed lips. If that doesn't work, swap out the H-buffer for a Carbine-buffer when shooting underpowered ammo.
Mentioned in post #1 "When this first started occurring I though it may be the mag, so I tried a magpul pmag, a magpul emag, a Tango Down mag, a tapco mag, a c-products mag, etc....all with the same results" so he was ruling out magazine induced FTF. Ammo? Buffer? I'm interested in what D.D. says, my bet is they will want the weapon back to look it over/fix as necessary.
justin_247
05-23-11, 09:14
Mentioned in post #1 "When this first started occurring I though it may be the mag, so I tried a magpul pmag, a magpul emag, a Tango Down mag, a tapco mag, a c-products mag, etc....all with the same results" so he was ruling out magazine induced FTF. Ammo? Buffer? I'm interested in what D.D. says, my bet is they will want the weapon back to look it over/fix as necessary.
Yet in the pictures, which are all the same malfunction with the same round taken from different angles, he's using an aluminum magazine. We have no idea how many times this has occurred...
I bet a carbine buffer will fix it.
justin_247
05-23-11, 09:29
Honestly, it doesn't look like a FTF to me. I know I've used that term incorrectly in the past...
... it's short stroking.
Heavy Metal
05-23-11, 09:49
That picture is NOT a short-stroke. The bolt is fully behind the base of the cartridge.
GrandPooba
05-23-11, 09:54
Hello,
New member here, have been reading up a lot but this is my first post, not on the best terms since it is about a problem I am currently experiencing with my Daniel Defense carbine (roughly 300 rounds through it, full take down and cleaning after every range visit). I basically have an Failure to Feed that happens sometimes a couple times a 30 round mag and sometimes it's every other if not every round.
When this first started occurring I though it may be the mag, so I tried a magpul pmag, a magpul emag, a Tango Down mag, a tapco mag, a c-products mag, etc....all with the same results. Than I swapped out the bolt carrier group for a spare I had on site, same issue. Than thinking it may be a weak buffer spring or an issue with the buffer, I swapped out the complete lower for another I had on site, still the same FTF issue reoccurred. the only thing left that could be the issue is the feed ramps from what I can deduce. Any educated guesses? I bought the Daniel Defense because I wanted a quality rifle, and from everything I can see it is, but this issue is giving me second thoughts about it becoming my "go to" over my .223 AK.
Some pics of the FTF:
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af194/OSKS_album/DDFTF1_2.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af194/OSKS_album/DDFTF2_2.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af194/OSKS_album/DDFTF3_2.jpg
http://i1007.photobucket.com/albums/af194/OSKS_album/DDFTF4_2.jpg
were you shooting this from a bench? I've had almost the exact same type of malfunction before. It occured when I was shooting from a bench and not securely putting the butt against my shoulder. It's akin to limp-wristing a handgun. Once I stopped bench shooting and put the gun into my shoulder, the problem went away.
...but a loose barrel nut on a Daniel Defense?
I made the comment for a reason.
justin_247
05-23-11, 11:40
That picture is NOT a short-stroke. The bolt is fully behind the base of the cartridge.
I shouldn't second guess myself. Thanks for pointing this out... I went back to Bravo Company's AR-15 troubleshooting post and read it again.
I still think he should try a carbine buffer. If that doesn't fix it, that opens up a whole can of worms.
It could be from short stroking. If the BCG is moving back just far enough to engage the rim of the cartridge then there would not be enough momentum to strip the round from the magazine. The fact that the OP tried another BCG would seem to eliminate the key and rings. Perhaps the FSB/gas block may need looking at.
An Undocumented Worker
05-23-11, 17:54
I made the comment for a reason.
Could you tell us your reasoning behind the tip to check the barrel nut?
You said you contacted DD. Let them take care of you.
Rule #4:
https://www.m4carbine.net/faq.php?faq=vb_faq#faq_new_faq_item
Shoot me an email or PM once you've been in contact with them and if they've fixed your carbine, and I'll be glad to open the thread back up.
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