New AR owner (pics)

[whitetiger7654]

Hi. I'm new to the AR world but already enjoying myself. I purchased a Bushmaster XM15 E2S Modular Flattop. I love the gun it shoots great and is probably more accurate than me. I do have one small question though. I purchased some 30 round magazines the same day I don't know the brand name. But sometimes they get pushed in to far and stop the bolt. Is this common? How can I stop it other than making sure not to insert them to much?

Gun pictures here:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/...50998034BiwYBM

[davemcdonald]

The best advise that I can give you brother is to get some training. Buy some quality ammo and get signed up for a beginners carbine class. If you can't afford to travel to one of the big named courses then look locally. I am willing to bet there is at least one tactical course being offered in central Florida.

You are not referring to the bolt stopping on the magazine when you pull the charging handle to the rear with an empty magazine in the magazine well, are you?

Dave

[John_Wayne777]

Is this happening on the first couple of rounds or is it happening all the time?

If it is happening on the first couple of rounds, try loading your magazines with 28 rounds and see if that improves things.

If it is happening with more than that, then one of the numerous AR gods here on the forum will need to talk to you.

[M4arc]

Are there any markings on the mags? Look on either the body or the floor plate. If you can't find any markings try and take some pictures for us.

[SuicideHz]

Like Dave said, if an empty mag stops the bolt when the bolt is pulled rearward, the rifle is working properly.

If not, find out what the real problem is. Don't download to 28 just because

[whitetiger7654]

It doesn't happen with the factory mag just the cheap extra ones I bought. The mags don't have any markings on them. The bolt does stop properly when the mags are empty. But that's not what I'm talking about. Sometimes the mag gets pushed in to far and after you shoot a round the bolt goes back. Then on the way foward to chamber another round it gets stuck on the magazine. So I have to pull down on the mag a little then the bolt goes foward. Does that make sense?

[M4arc]

It doesn't happen with the factory mag just the cheap extra ones I bought. The mags don't have any markings on them. The bolt does stop properly when the mags are empty. But that's not what I'm talking about. Sometimes the mag gets pushed in to far and after you shoot a round the bolt goes back. Then on the way foward to chamber another round it gets stuck on the magazine. So I have to pull down on the mag a little then the bolt goes foward. Does that make sense?

It makes perfect sense and I think your problem is highlighted in red.

If they don't have any markings on them then I'd be willing to be they are not USGI magazines and therefore should only be used for target practice or malfunction drills

[SuicideHz]

Yeah, just throw them out. Actually, fill one with concrete so you can use it to hold your lower in a vice but throw the rest away.

If you want cheap mags that WORK, get the C-products mags with magpul followers from Denny for $9.90 or from Midway for $9.99.

Once again, downloading a mag doesn't solve anything- no offense to anyone here but it seems like one of those things that just gets perpetuated for way too long...

[John_Wayne777]

It doesn't happen with the factory mag just the cheap extra ones I bought. The mags don't have any markings on them. The bolt does stop properly when the mags are empty. But that's not what I'm talking about. Sometimes the mag gets pushed in to far and after you shoot a round the bolt goes back. Then on the way foward to chamber another round it gets stuck on the magazine. So I have to pull down on the mag a little then the bolt goes foward. Does that make sense?

USA mags strike again.

[John_Wayne777]

Once again, downloading a mag doesn't solve anything- no offense to anyone here but it seems like one of those things that just gets perpetuated for way too long...

I beg to differ.

I personally have magazines that won't run in my weapon if you load 30 rounds into them. They are USGI aluminum mags with ranger plates on them, and if you load 30 rounds into them the weapon will choke on the first two.

With 28 or less in them, they run just fine.

Mine aren't the only ones like this, as I have seen it happen on lots of other magazines.

In this case, however, it seems like the problem is el-cheapo mags (USA) that aren't fitting in the weapon right, so downloading to 28 rounds wouldn't help.