I posted a couple weeks ago about new windowed pmags resulting in two double feeds. They were untested, but brand new out of the box. Today, I ran my tried and true black pmags and my second run presented a double feed. By double feed, I mean two fresh rounds fighting for chamber space…ain’t gonna happen!
So, some quick background and then bring on the words of wisdom…
The pmags I ran today have provided a few thousand rounds of flawless perfomance in my old M&P. I recently purchased a KAC SR15. I haven’t experienced double feeds until I began shooting this rifle. This rifle was purchased used, but I have some trust in the prior owner being a LEO. So, I have tampered with the KAC original config. I switched the buffer spring to a Sprinco “blue” and swapped the buffer to the Spikes ST2. I ran this set up flawless through a training course using my original purchased pmags. Two days later, :cray: I ran with the new windowed pmags and had two seperate double feeds. After this initial double feed, I went back to the original spring. I finished that day with a flawless run using my original mags. Then today, another double feed. Now I’ve gone back to the original buffer. I had one final run after the switch and no problems. I did not use the problematic mag.
What I’m wondering is, can/could the buffer spring and weight contribute to the problem? Or, could the seated mag somehow be flaring the mag lips? The fact the double feeds showed up with this rifle makes me wonder if the gun (with the modified arrange) can share some of the blame. Most people have said its the mag, but I have some faith that Magpul is producing products that last. I plan to go to the range tomorrow and shoot all the mags with the rifles original arrangement. If it happens again, well, :suicide2: Are pmags made to be disposable? Needs some guidance here. Thanks
I wouldn’t be touching Pmags at this juncture. TOO many problem stories and RUMORS of their TRUE PEDEGREE floating around the water cooler in the tactial world of gooberdom!
I’m certainly not smearing the Pmag. And the ones in question are 30 rounders. I am trying to better understand the root cause of double feeds. I’ve been told the lips of the mags flare too much and extra rounds pop up. However, the same mags ran fine in another gun. Could this rifle share the blame? Can a rifle’s function cause a double feed?
No problem. I’m back to the SR-15 buffer. I also have standard H2 and H3 buffer’s. I am curious as to whether changing the buffer could have an affect on the cycling and loading of the weapon? Could that contribute to double feed?
I have no experience with other mags. What’s a good, reliable alluminum 30 rd mag? Or is there another polymer manu that is as good or better than magpul?
No problem. I’m back to the SR-15 buffer. I also have standard H2 and H3 buffer’s. I am curious as to whether changing the buffer could have an affect on the cycling and loading of the weapon? Could that contribute to double feed?
NHMTG, Colt, D&H. Bravo Company sells quite a few aluminum mags and I have some at the house. They have also worked good for me. I have replaced all of the followers with Magpuls though.
That still makes this a magazine-related problem. I had a SR-15 I shot for years during the ban and it never had any issues using USGI 30-round magazines. I did have a Colt 20-rounder that would occasionally fail to lock the bolt back on the last round.
I am not making an judgements one way or another. But, yes a duoble feed is generally a magazine issue. Strange that they supposedly work in another AR and not this one.
For some reason too it seems the longer you can get the buffer and BCG to dwell at the bottom of the tube, the better things seem to work, gives the magazine a bit more time to sort itself out.
It is very strange. Of course, my buddies are telling me “that’s why the dude sold me the gun!” I’m gonna run it hard tomorrow as it was made - all factory buffer and spring - and see what happens. Any double feed mag will then run through my buddies AR. If it happens in his, then the mag goes in the trash! Otherwise, I’ll start buying some alluminum mags.
Here’s a possibility, probably a little far fetched, but a possibility just the same. I’ve noticed that uppers are machined at the mag well to give a little reinforcement to the magazine lips. In other words, the top of the magazine is not buck naked when in the gun.
Is it possible that the larger this space for the feed lips in the upper, the more likely a double feed? Does the upper in fact play a role in adding rigidity and possibly maintaining proper dimension to the feed lips? I think at one time I tried holding in the mag catch while pushing up on the magazine and the magazine did not go up very far, but I’m not sure. Not one here, so I can’t try it now.
Incidentally, a double feed appears impossible with an AK. The ejector prevents it.
