How To Repair A Gun Magazine

A well-built AR-xv is 1 of the nigh reliable semi-machine firearms bachelor. But sometimes even the best rifles may malfunction, and when they do, it is time to diagnose the cause of the malfunction.

One of the first components that should be investigated is the mag.

Magazines get dirty. They vary in quality and dimension from manufacturer to manufacturer. Springs wear out and bodies go bent or cleaved. Magazines go dropped on the ground and stepped on. Most AR-fifteen malfunctions are related to lube, ammo, or magazines, or a combination.

We volition look at some common magazine issues, and clear upwardly some confusion surrounding terminology.

1.) Hard seating (it is hard to push the mag deep enough into the mag well to allow the mag catch to appoint the mag).

There are two factors that may be at play here. The first is the blueprint of the firearm. The AR-15 was designed to be loaded with the bolt locked back. If a magazine is inserted when the bolt is closed, the cartridges are forced down against the spring pressure, and the magazine is harder to insert. If the mag is built to MIL-SPEC dimensions, and fully loaded, the cartridges and follower fully compress the spring when inserted against a airtight bolt, and it may be impossible to seat the magazine.

At times it is advantageous to load a magazine with the bolt closed, many shooters download their magazines by one or 2 rounds to make this easier. Some magazine manufacturers who don't have to attach to MIL-SPEC standards on the dimensions of a metallic mag make their magazines a little longer, edifice a magazine capable of accepting 31 rounds, so that it will seat hands with thirty. Many people speak virtually the push-pull method of inserting a magazine. That's fine, only if you are seating a fully loaded MIL-SPEC magazine confronting a closed bolt, requite that thing a firm slap.

The second factor that can cause hard seating is improper dimensions in the rifle or the magazine. If the magazine is difficult to seat empty or only partially loaded, this is the crusade. In this instance, it could be one or more than of several dimensions in the burglarize or in the mag that are preventing seating. Look for wear on the magazine feed lips for indications of where the tightness is occurring. At this point, there are three uncomplicated options; contact the manufacturer for a replacement, endeavour to modify the mag to work with the rifle, or find unlike magazines that volition work.

2.) Mag won't driblet free (this means that when the empty magazine is released, it will non autumn out of the rifle on its own)

There is a shelf only below the window on the magazine that the magazine catch engages. If the mag is metallic, support the inside of the mag, and tap that shelf gently with a hammer. Test information technology in the burglarize until it drops free. If it is a polymer mag, filing the aforementioned area will usually work. If the rifle is brand new the mag catch may be screwed also far into the magazine release push button. Endeavour pushing the button all the mode in and turning the mag take hold of counterclockwise one turn.

3.) Mag release is hard to push

This is some other consequence with a simple fix. Information technology usually occurs on new rifles when releasing a fully loaded metal magazine. It is caused just a rough ridge or burr along the top border if the mag catch where it contacts the mag. Push button the magazine take hold of (on the left side of the rifle) out of the receiver from correct to left, using a plastic pen tip or a not-marring dial to push button the magazine release button, rotate information technology so that it does not snap back into place, so smooth the top edge of the magazine release with sandpaper or a fine file. Rotate it back into position and the problem is solved.

4.) Feeding problems due to friction (sharp or rough feed lips)

Metal magazines are stamped out of sheets of aluminum or steel. Considering of this process, the inside border of the feed lips can be sharp or have abrupt burrs along it. These will smoothen out with utilize, and aluminum magazines will smooth faster than steel. If yous are using a new or nearly new metallic magazine, and the bolt is stopping before the cartridge is fully chambered, sharp feed lips may be the cause. Look for noticeable scratches on the case of the cartridge from the feed lips. This trouble is normally worse with steel-case ammo than with brass-example ammo, as the steel-case ammo, coated or non, creates more friction in magazines. It is also more than noticeable in steel magazines. If you doubtable this could be your problem, just burnish the inside edge of each feed lip lightly with 600 grit emery cloth, or brand this your standard exercise any time yous remove a new metal magazine from its packaging.

v.) Feeding problems due to friction (extra-ability springs)

Shooters sometimes employ extra-strong aftermarket springs in their magazines fifty-fifty though they are designed to work with the standard springs. The springs may be so stiff that they create plenty friction to slow the commodities and cause a malfunction. The solution is to fully load the magazines for a calendar week or two, while also cycling them through the rifle to break in the springs.

six.) Function problems due to improper dimensions or construction

This is harder to diagnose because there is no obvious damage to the magazine - information technology is nevertheless in the shape information technology was in when it shipped from the factory, but the factory made an error in the magazine's construction. Unremarkably this condition is assumed when it is found that a particular mag with no harm consistently causes the rifle to malfunction. This tin happen with metal or polymer magazines of any make. The quality of a particular brand'due south manufacturing process is indicated by how seldom or how oft this occurs. About magazines are not manufactured as precisely as other parts of the rifle, and there are slight variations in dimension from one magazine to the adjacent, fifty-fifty from the same manufacturer. This is the case with aluminum, steel, and polymer magazines. If a particular mag causes malfunctions in a particular rifle, it should be tending of or marked and used for grooming only. If a particular make of magazines causes malfunctions in a particular rifle, that brand should be avoided with that rifle, no matter how popular or well-regarded the brand is.

7.) Office issues due to impairment

Magazines are easily damaged. They are often dropped, stepped on, end upwards in the bottom of a bag, protrude from the rifle and go banged into things, and only wearable out over time.

Some damage is noticeable, some can't be seen, but when a magazine that used to function begins causing malfunctions, damage should be assumed, whether noticeable or not. Damaged magazines should be discarded or clearly marked and used for training but. Damaged magazines can sometimes be repaired by bending, or in the case of polymer, gluing. Repair is not recommended except in an emergency because the materials are weakened and in near every case the problem volition soon sally again.

8.) Function bug due to dingy magazines

Magazines get dirty! They gather dust, gravel, leaves, carbon, oil, and brass shavings inside of them with use. Inspect magazines regularly and proceed them clean. An quondam toothbrush and an extra BoreSnake piece of work great. It is by and large not recommended to lube the inside of a magazine.

9.) Office bug due to an improperly dimensioned rifle

More often than not, AR-xv function issues can be traced to magazines. Always troubleshoot your magazines before assuming an issue with the rifle. Just sometimes, at that place is an issue with the burglarize itself. Different AR-15 manufacturers concord themselves to different manufacturing standards and not all AR-15 rifles are created equal. That super-depression price on the budget AR-15 yous are because may exist based on money saved through shortcuts in the manufacturing and quality control processes. Quality manufacturers often reject barrels and other parts that do not meet their quality command specifications and rejected parts are sold to budget AR-15 manufacturers and parts suppliers at a discount. The result is a marketplace filled with AR rifles built to varying dimensions. Almost magazine manufacturers have compensated past making their magazines a fleck undersized so they work in the majority of rifles, simply all it takes is ane part being out of spec, and your rifle may not function well with most magazines. Improper dimensions in the lower receiver, upper receiver, magazine catch, magazine release push button, and commodities carrier can all forbid properly-made magazines from performance. The $100 savings that is and then tempting on that budget AR can shortly exist offset by frustration and expense as you damage ammunition and buy different magazines in an endeavour to get the rifle to role. Keep in mind that any AR-15 rifles or parts that are constantly sold well beneath normal marketplace prices are probably doubtable.

Before diagnosing an issue with your AR-15, brand certain the rifle is properly lubed, especially if information technology is a new burglarize. ARs like to run wet, so actually lube it well. If the rifle is well lubed, and the malfunction no other obvious crusade, the first thing to check is your magazine. More likely than non, that is where the result will be found.

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