I have a new Mid 16. Let me say so far BCM is working with me on this issue. I think they make a Quality product and service so far has been good. I just would like experiences and opinions with more AR time than me, so that I have a full understanding as what is happening.
When I first shot it ran about 5 rounds with no issues. Then I had some failure to extracts. I tried 3 different mags with the same results. The fired case was still in the chamber as the next round from the mag was trying to feed.
I contacted BCM, and after some trouble shooting they wanted me to send the BCG for them to test. Testing resulted in no failures, and they seem very confident it was the ammo, and requested I try something else. They claim a lot of ammo is sub standard, ie not NAT0 spec 556, may be under powered or standard case sizeing and may not work properly in the weapon. Others have mentioned a lot of ammo now marked as 556 is really 223.
When I received the BCG, I tried several different loads, Independence, Winchester white box, Lake City, and Federal XM193 all 55 grain.
The only ammo that worked with out any problems was the Federal XM193. I had the same failure to extract with all the others. The Independence is supposed to be NATO 556. So Maybe they are on to something.
The other ammo is underpowered compared to the Federal, almost like the difference between a standard vs manum load but I would think if it was an underpower ammo issue I would get a short stroke and/or failure to eject not extract. It seem to me a failure to extract would be related to the extractor. Also if I put one round in the mag and shoot it it will fire, the bolt will lock open on the empty mag and the case is in the chamber, if I hit the bolt release and pull the charging handle back the round will eject.
I know a lot of people that are able to shoot almost anything without any problems in their AR's, 223 or 556 NATO. I have never had another weapon that would not shoot so many different types of ammo So why is this so picky?
Also if the Independance ammo is supposed to be M193, but it does not work, how can I verify that any other ammo that claims to be m193 or any other Mil Spec/NATO stand will work, especially now that ammo is so hard to get. If I had problems with cheap ammo 1 out of 20 I could live with it for plinking as long as I could find something that would work 100% of the time for other purposes, after all thats way I bought the BCM, for all the great reviews. RELIABILITY is Everthing for me.
Any and all experiences comments are greatly appreciated.


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