[Monty Grubbs]

Hey everybody, I need some help.

I have a Bushmaster rifle that is about seven months old now. I have put 700 rounds thru it. I am still having a devil of a time with the mag well. It seems to me that is very, very tight. Almost too tight.

When I seat the mag, I have to give it a pretty hard slap to seat it all the way in. When I do this, it sometimes pops the top round out of the mag. When the bolt is released, it causes a double feed jam.

I am using good mags, I think. Factory Colt 30 rounders. I just got four new ones yesterday, and had the same problem this morning.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[thor]

The bolt is open when you're experiencing this, correct? (I thought so.)

Have you tried inserting the mag *while* pushing in on the mag release button -- in order to see whether the "tension" / resistance your experiencing is from the *mag release button spring*, or from the relationship /shape / fit of the mag to the mag well themselves.

This IS confusing cuz' I just tried it with my Colt AR and the mag slides in & out very easily -- until I release the mag release button at which time IT begins "dragging" on the mag.

I'm not suggesting you push the mag button in each time you need to insert a mag but that should at least tell you if the problem is originating with the mag release button and/or it's spring (the most likely culprit, in my mind).

Sorry I can't be of more help but help is on the way -- just as soon as some of the more knowledgeable here wake up and get on-line!

 

[Monty Grubbs]

Thor,
Thanks for your insight. I have not tried inserting a mag while holding in the mag catch. I have tried adjusting the mag catch numerous times with no luck.

You really have to hold your mouth just right to get the mag to start up in the well. That, in and of itself, bugs me.

I do not have this problem when the bolt is closed. But, when doing a reload, the bolt is usually open. So , the problem exists. Most reloading is done with the bolt open.

Guys, keep the thoughts coming.

 

[Ned Christiansen]

It's not unusual for an AR to be tight on magazines. I have filed mine out which is not so easy because you're filing a large area that is hard anodized. And it kinda sucks that you have to lose your good protective hard finish-- but it's pretty important to be able to seat and drop mags, too!

 

[Monty Grubbs]

Guys,
I hate to say it but, I gave up. Tommorow the gun is on its way to Maine. The smiths at Bushmaster think they can lick this problem. So I am going to let them try!

 

[thor]

Damn, bummer. Could you let us know what the final verdict (and more importantly, THE FIX) turns out to be . . . it'd be much appreciated!

 

[Monty Grubbs]

Will do for sure!

 

[chrisinmo]

Monty,

I have a gun built on a Bushmaster lower. It is my understanding that tight mag fir is not unusual with Bushmasters. When you push the mag release will the mag drop free? If it will then it sounds as if the probem was with the mag release when inserting a mag. not the mag well itself. If the wel is tight when inserting the mag you can adjust the mags. I covered my mags with a towel and very lightly gripped the upper portion with a pair of channel lock plyers. This narrowed the top portion of the mag very slightly and allowed them to drop free easily. If you try this only use a little pressure on teh mag then try it in the gun again. This is a pretty common thing and I found out about adjusting the mags on AR15.com.

 

[Monty Grubbs]

Chris,

I had pretty much determined the problem was not with the mag release. Didn't think of trying to work on the mags. Bushmaster said to send it to them, and they would take care of it.

They should have it by now. I'll check on thing with them Monday. Thanks for the help everybody!