AR mag question - The Firearms Forum

45nut · 03-23-2010, 09:21 AM

I have an AR-15 High Standard M-4 and I am having a problem seating a new magazine when the bolt is closed. It will not seat and lock in the closed position. If I open the bolt everything works fine. Is this normal or do I have a problem?

USMCSpeedy · 03-23-2010, 09:42 AM

What brand of mag are you using? Some of the cheaper mags can cause problems if you get a bad one.

45nut · 03-23-2010, 10:04 AM

Used military mags for the most part. I'll have to check for the brand name.

USMCSpeedy · 03-23-2010, 10:20 AM

I have a couple differnt brands and have run into a few problems with ones from C Products and even Colt mags. I have a couple AR Stoner mags that have been very good for me. Others here may be able to give some others that they've had good luck with.

JLA · 03-23-2010, 04:38 PM

Its supposed to be tough with the bolt closed, especially with a loaded mag. essentially you are forcing the compressed spring about another 1/8th to 1/4 inch down before the mag locks into place. I always lock the bolt open, insert mag and drop the bolt with the release because sometimes i will put a loaded mag in and charge the rifle to have the mag fall out because it didnt lock into place and i thought it did... I use magpul p-mag 20 rd mags. they are the best in the west IMO

muddober · 03-23-2010, 08:47 PM

The gun was designed to take a full magazine with the bolt open and not closed. If you put one less cartridge in the magazine it will probably solve your problem.

Ron

new308handloader · 03-23-2010, 09:07 PM

Take one round out of the 30 round mag (with 29 loaded) and try again....that brand of mag may be too tight with a full 30.

45nut · 03-25-2010, 09:37 AM

I load all my mags 1 or 2 rounds short as a general rule. I tried it again last night and did it more gently and it clicked in just fine.

Thanks for the info on proper procedure. I thought it was supposed to be loaded with the bolt locked open. Makes sense to me.

JLA · 03-25-2010, 11:45 PM

dont forget to bang the mag against your 'cover' before slamming it home and dropping the bolt. Helps keep the commies dead and the sand on the ground where it belongs

Dirty · 06-12-2011, 02:43 PM

I personally have fallen quite in love with PMAGs, as have all my guys. On the upside, they're getting much more inexpensive as time marches on. I used to be quite weary of polymer mags, but Magpul PMAGs have stood up to everything we've put em thru, so I'll back em all day.

03-23-2010, 09:21 AM	#1
45nut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,428	AR mag question I have an AR-15 High Standard M-4 and I am having a problem seating a new magazine when the bolt is closed. It will not seat and lock in the closed position. If I open the bolt everything works fine. Is this normal or do I have a problem? __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that. Shane Nemo me impune lacesset We recall the case of the Shoshone war band which showed up complete with one 30-30 rifle per man the week after Pearl Harbor, and simply wanted to have the enemy pointed out to them. "We hear there's a war going on and we want to go fight it." Jeff Cooper *KCCO* -->

03-23-2010, 09:42 AM	#2
USMCSpeedy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 627	Re: AR mag question What brand of mag are you using? Some of the cheaper mags can cause problems if you get a bad one. __________________ If all else fails, VOTE FROM THE ROOFTOPS Trying to reform a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd from the clean end. What this country needs is more family trees that will produce more lumber and fewer nuts!

03-23-2010, 10:04 AM	#3
45nut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,428	Re: AR mag question Used military mags for the most part. I'll have to check for the brand name. __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that. Shane Nemo me impune lacesset We recall the case of the Shoshone war band which showed up complete with one 30-30 rifle per man the week after Pearl Harbor, and simply wanted to have the enemy pointed out to them. "We hear there's a war going on and we want to go fight it." Jeff Cooper *KCCO*

03-23-2010, 10:20 AM	#4
USMCSpeedy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 627	Re: AR mag question I have a couple differnt brands and have run into a few problems with ones from C Products and even Colt mags. I have a couple AR Stoner mags that have been very good for me. Others here may be able to give some others that they've had good luck with. __________________ If all else fails, VOTE FROM THE ROOFTOPS Trying to reform a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd from the clean end. What this country needs is more family trees that will produce more lumber and fewer nuts!

03-23-2010, 04:38 PM	#5
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,328	Re: AR mag question Its supposed to be tough with the bolt closed, especially with a loaded mag. essentially you are forcing the compressed spring about another 1/8th to 1/4 inch down before the mag locks into place. I always lock the bolt open, insert mag and drop the bolt with the release because sometimes i will put a loaded mag in and charge the rifle to have the mag fall out because it didnt lock into place and i thought it did... I use magpul p-mag 20 rd mags. they are the best in the west IMO __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

03-23-2010, 08:47 PM	#6
muddober Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,436	Re: AR mag question The gun was designed to take a full magazine with the bolt open and not closed. If you put one less cartridge in the magazine it will probably solve your problem. Ron

03-23-2010, 09:07 PM	#7
new308handloader Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 535	Re: AR mag question Take one round out of the 30 round mag (with 29 loaded) and try again....that brand of mag may be too tight with a full 30. __________________ "History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid." D. D. Eisenhower

03-25-2010, 09:37 AM	#8
45nut Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,428	Re: AR mag question I load all my mags 1 or 2 rounds short as a general rule. I tried it again last night and did it more gently and it clicked in just fine. Thanks for the info on proper procedure. I thought it was supposed to be loaded with the bolt locked open. Makes sense to me. __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that. Shane Nemo me impune lacesset We recall the case of the Shoshone war band which showed up complete with one 30-30 rifle per man the week after Pearl Harbor, and simply wanted to have the enemy pointed out to them. "We hear there's a war going on and we want to go fight it." Jeff Cooper *KCCO*

03-25-2010, 11:45 PM	#9
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,328	Re: AR mag question dont forget to bang the mag against your 'cover' before slamming it home and dropping the bolt. Helps keep the commies dead and the sand on the ground where it belongs __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

06-12-2011, 02:43 PM	#10
Dirty Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5	Re: AR mag question I personally have fallen quite in love with PMAGs, as have all my guys. On the upside, they're getting much more inexpensive as time marches on. I used to be quite weary of polymer mags, but Magpul PMAGs have stood up to everything we've put em thru, so I'll back em all day.