AR Break In

[Garys]

I took my Bushmaster AR 15 to the range to test fire it and break it in. Prior to taking it, I gave it a thorough cleaning and lubrication per the Bushmaster manual and suggestions from members here.

All went well for the first three magazines, but I had a problem after that. The first round in all subsequent magazines wouldn't feed manually without a lot of fiddling around. Once I got the first round to fire, the rifle performed flawlessly. A couple of times, the round chambered, the rifle wouldn't fire. I think it failed to go into battery, so I took the magazine out and tried again. Again, once the rifle fired the first time, it cycled OK.

It looks as if the nose of the round hung up on the feed ramp, but I'm not sure.

I used the bolt release and didn't pull the charging handle back to chamber the round. Could that be what was happening?

I don't think this is a major issue with the rifle since it cycled fine after the first round. It might well be operator error since this is my first AR.

Anyone have any insights?

Thanks.

 

[economist]

What mags are you using? I have a vague memory of the same problem years ago when I was using a 10-round bushmaster mag. Once I got some prebans all of my problems went away.

 

[Bob P]

+1. Sounds like a magazine issue.

 

[Garys]

What mags are you using? I have a vague memory of the same problem years ago when I was using a 10-round bushmaster mag. Once I got some prebans all of my problems went away.

I'm using the factory 10 round Bushmaster.

 

[Admin]

I'm using the factory 10 round Bushmaster.

Do you have any other mags to try?

 

[Bob P]

Garys - were they full magazines? Did you try shooting with 8 or 9 or even just 1 round in the mag and see if it would feed?

 

[Garys]

Garys - were they full magazines? Did you try shooting with 8 or 9 or even just 1 round in the mag and see if it would feed?

The first couple of times I only fired five rounds. After that I went to 10, which is when the problem happened. The last two magazines were five, and the problem persisted.

Do you have any other mags to try?

Not yet, I'm going to be looking for a couple of pre ban 20 or 30 round mags.

 

[SJan]

A. Using the bolt release
or
B. Pulling the charging handle all the way back and letting it fly forward on its own

Should have no effect, both ways are ok.

Be sure you are loading the rounds into the mag properly, give the mag a tap on a firm surface to seat the rounds. Be sure the mag is firmly seated into the rifle.

I also have had occasional problems with a bushmaster 10 rd mag, so its probably that.

Don't fuss too much until you try other magazines.

 

[vellnueve]

Make sure you're tapping the magazines all the way in if inserting on a closed bolt, or insert them on an open bolt.

 

[Garys]

A. Using the bolt release
or
B. Pulling the charging handle all the way back and letting it fly forward on its own

Should have no effect, both ways are ok.

Be sure you are loading the rounds into the mag properly, give the mag a tap on a firm surface to seat the rounds. Be sure the mag is firmly seated into the rifle.

I also have had occasional problems with a bushmaster 10 rd mag, so its probably that.

Don't fuss too much until you try other magazines.

Thanks. I was sure to do the tap thing after loading the mags. I'll have to wait until the next pre ban mag ad in the classifieds and get one or two.

The rifle shoots very well, other than that one problem. Like almost all of my firearms, it shoots better than I do.

 

[Skald]

You think of using the Magpul followers? I have pretty much switched over to PMags and have 2 you can have if you wish. Just PM me your address and I'll send them out to you.