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Thread: Pmags failing to feed -- NOW WORKING ! ! !

  1. #21
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    .......OVERNIGHT UPDATE.......

    (But first, thanks everybody for all the good feedback -- I'm feelin' the luv. )

    (Also for the record, these are four 30-round Pmags in FDE.)

    After work yesterday I went over the mags in detail, with the following results:

    (1) As assembled, the spring and follower in each mag appears to travel without any stickiness (as tested by slowly pressing downward with the end of a ruler). This was found to be true both empty and holding various quantities of ammo in 5-round increments.

    (2) The mags were then disassembled. Right away I was surprised to find how dirty the springs were in these brand new mags (I have only shot a single mag-full of ammo through each one so far). My hands were covered in black by the time I had all four taken apart. First thing I did was to wipe down all four springs thoroughly.

    (3) Flashing doesn't appear to be an issue. The interior of each mag body is clean and smooth.

    (4) Follower-to-body fit was then tested without any spring tension. The followers fit loosely along most of their travel paths in all four mags. On three of the mags, the follower slightly snug-ups up gradually within a half inch to an inch of the feed lips. On the fourth mag though, there is a more abrupt grab at a point about two inches down from the feed lips. Switching among follower and bodies showed that the cause was from the follower and not the body. The effect isn't really noticable under spring tension, so I'm not sure this is anything significant other than showing that the mags are not exactly identical.

    (5) With the mags re-assembled, I tested their fit to the rifle. All seemed to seat about the same, and not noticably different from my GI mags. The feed lips also appear to be clearing the bolt OK.

    After all this, it was too late in the day to try calling Magpul. I am first going to take everything back to the range though (hopefully tomorrow afternoon), to investigate further under live-fire conditions. It would be good if I could clear this up without having to hassle with getting Magpul to provide replacements.

    One thing I want to test on the seating question, is whether any difference takes place between inserting the mag with bolt open and then closing from slide lock, versus inserting against a closed bolt and then cycling the bolt to chamber the first round. The latter procedure might preclude a full seat.

    Quote Originally Posted by Failure2Stop View Post
    ......Dirty/dusty tubes and followers can cause the round stact to rise too slowly for the bolt to pick up the next round.......
    After reading this, I recall from my first time with these mags a couple of shots that were followed just a moment later by a distinct "ker-chunk", feeling very much like a stack of rounds jumping up after clearing a snag. Something else I need to look for again.

    If I'm lucky, maybe all of this trouble was just the result of those dirty springs. Shall report back after the range trip.
    Last edited by blackscot; 11-19-09 at 07:48.

  2. #22
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    Check the Pmags for ANY flash on the follower. Look at any edge that can touch the mag tube. This has been a particular problem with the 20 rd Pmags IME.

    I use a cheap plastic paint mixing stick (looks like a ruler) to work the follower full range in any mag I use to see if there is a sticking or rough point.

    Not feeding the next round can be short stroking or delayed mag lift of the cartridge.

    If a mag is hard to insert loaded to capacity don't fight it - just load it down one round. Manufacturers often rate mag capacity assuming open bolt. Closed bolt requires a down load.

  3. #23
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    I believe p-mags are designed to carry a full load of ammo and still seat on a closed bolt.

  4. #24
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    I agree. All of my Pmags seat fully loaded. However given a particular gun mag combo one never knows.

  5. #25
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    Well after cleaning up those cruddy springs, another full batch through each Pmag was digested without hiccup at the range Friday afternoon. I seated each mag with the bolt open though. Back home, I again took the Pmags apart and gave the springs a second rub-down, this time with lots of CLP applied.

    With a gulp then, I also used the Pmags at Sunday's match, and again without problem. Also again, seating was on an open bolt.

    From the maker, the springs came with a heavy layer of gummy residue. I can see how adjacent loops could have been adhering to each other with the spring fully depressed. Of course, far more use is needed to establish complete reliability, but hopefully the issue is now resolved.

    Any future Pmags will be dissembled and cleaned thoroughly before being put into service.
    Last edited by blackscot; 11-23-09 at 08:00.

  6. #26
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    If they're using chrome-silicon springs they sometimes have this weird sort of grease on them. For my 10" suppressed gun and my old 3gun rifle (adjustable gas with a lightweight carrier) I use PMAGs with Wolff +10%XP springs.
    With my new barrel on my 10" gun (small gas port, LMT enhanced carrier, H buffer) and my 2 new 3gun rifles (midlengths with regular non-adjustable gas blocks and M16 carriers) I don't need the stronger springs anymore but I left them in there so they work even really well when extremely dirty. On my mags I use for training and the 10" gun I drill a hole in the Magpul logo and keep the dust cover clicked onto the bottom of the mag to prevent dirt/mud from getting up into the hole. This converts the mag to their maritime style. This allows water or gas to escape the bottom of the magazine.
    Chief Armorer for Elite Shooting Sports in Manassas VA
    Chief Armorer for Corp Arms (FFL 07-08/SOT 02)

  7. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by gotm4 View Post
    ......I drill a hole in the Magpul logo and keep the dust cover clicked onto the bottom of the mag to prevent dirt/mud from getting up into the hole. This converts the mag to their maritime style. This allows water or gas to escape the bottom of the magazine.
    Good tip.

  8. #28
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    Make sure you aren't putting 31 rounds in them. The mag will 'barely' accept 31 rounds and this can cause problems.
    My brother saw Deliverance and bought a Bow. I saw Deliverance and bought an AR-15.

  9. #29
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    What size hole do you drill into the mag?

  10. #30
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ga Shooter View Post
    What size hole do you drill into the mag?
    I used a center punch heated it up with a lighter and put a dimple in the center of the magpul logo to keep the drill bit from walking. Drill bit sized I used was 1/4''.

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