Benny or someone in the know, I have a standard M1A and several mags. I was at the range today and the 2 mags I brought would not feed from the left round, meaning the gun would fire but fail to strip the round from the left side leaving me with an empty chamber. I had to pull the charging handle back and then release it and it would work. Bang bang no feed…
None of the mags look different, like a bent lip. I did find that if I held the mag with my left hand it would work. I was just shooting off a range bag with a rolled towel on it for support and my left hand on the rear sling point. If I held the forearm with my left it would do the same. If I pulled it into me or let it free recoil- same results.
I have a 5 rounder and one other 20 rounder I’m going to take back tomorrow.
"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
March 05, 2025, 10:29 PM
M1Garandy
Is this a new issue with a rifle that normally runs fine?
Is the rifle properly greased?
How many rounds has the operating rod spring seen?
How long is the operating rod spring?
Is the gas valve all the way open?
Is your gas cylinder plug tight?
March 06, 2025, 08:14 AM
benny6
Well, definitely a mag issue. I only use CMI magazines or GI magazines.
Do you happen to know what brand mags you're using?
Other things to consider: -weak mag spring -mag follower hanging up inside the mag -magazine not fully locked in
Originally posted by M1Garandy: Is this a new issue with a rifle that normally runs fine? Haven’t shot this rifle in a lonnnng time
Is the rifle properly greased? Yes
How many rounds has the operating rod spring seen? Dunno
How long is the operating rod spring? Haven’t measured it
Is the gas valve all the way open? Yes
Is your gas cylinder plug tight? I found it was loosening and tightened it and it still did the same thing
"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
March 06, 2025, 08:58 AM
MikeinNC
quote:
Originally posted by benny6: Well, definitely a mag issue. I only use CMI magazines or GI magazines.
Do you happen to know what brand mags you're using? Dunno they came with the rifle 15 yrs ago
Other things to consider: -weak mag spring -mag follower hanging up inside the mag -magazine not fully locked in
Tony.
"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
March 06, 2025, 12:19 PM
Weshowe
Gents,
You have a problem...
Get a good (or new) USGI mag and compare it to your bad magazine. Does visual inspection show any discrepancies? Try new USGI mag in the rifle.
Field strip, clean, and properly lube the rifle.
Check the gas port to make sure it is open and the gas plug closed firmly.
I'm assuming that your mag is a check-mate, but I think a USGI mag will solve your problems.
Wes
March 06, 2025, 04:56 PM
MikeinNC
Didn’t get to the range, I’ve had a migraine all day. So I guess I’ll research the mags tonight and go from there
"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
March 06, 2025, 06:43 PM
anothercuervo
Look on the back of the magazine below the locking lug for a manufacturer's stamp.
March 06, 2025, 07:09 PM
MikeinNC
So the mags are all marked BRW over S-1 which makes them USGI mags. They came with the gun 16 years ago and were used then. The catch plate has 5 holes.
And it’s lubed with grease and oil per bennys video (thanks past Mike)
I measured the op rod spring and it was 15 3/8
I put a wrench on the gas plug cap and made sure it’s tight
"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
March 06, 2025, 07:14 PM
flesheatingvirus
Grab a couple of new ones and see if it still happens:
-- Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past me I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. --
Not picking up a round makes it seem like short stroking, but having it happen on just the left side is odd. The fact that it works when you hold the magazine makes it seem like the magazine lock is not holding the magazine in the correct location. Worn or loose magazine lock, or somehow you damaged the front hook? Do you get a good click when locking the magazine in place?
How many rounds did you load in the magazine, especially the 20? If you loaded 20 rounds and you had 10 misfeeds, all from the same side, and then 20 perfect shots holding the magazine, I think either: 1. the magazine is okay and the rifle isn't holding the magazine straight. 2. The follower is titled. You could run the follower down and up with a pencil and see if it is tilting or binding. But having this on two magazines seems very coincidental.
March 07, 2025, 09:56 AM
MikeinNC
quote:
Originally posted by anothercuervo:
How many rounds did you load in the magazine, especially the 20? Only used 20s. And loaded them all the way. Then half and it still did it. If you loaded 20 rounds and you had 10 misfeeds, all from the same side, and then 20 perfect shots holding the magazine, I think either: 1. the magazine is okay and the rifle isn't holding the magazine straight. 2. The follower is titled. Follower was not tilted, canted You could run the follower down and up with a pencil and see if it is tilting or binding. But having this on two magazines seems very coincidental. I’m a firm believer in there is no such thing as a coincidence-it’s mechanical
quote:
Originally posted by bnz42: What was the ammo, that you were shooting? Sierra Match King 168s
OTW to the range to figure it out. Wish me luck. 4 USGI mags and a 5 rnd Springfield will be making the trip. Using SMK 168.
"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
March 07, 2025, 01:53 PM
MikeinNC
It happened with every magazine. I’m ordering a new op rod spring now.
Odd thing was I remember the rifle had a plastic buffer bumper between the end of the op rod and the frame when I bought the rifle. It crumbled and I never replaced it. The gun should work w/o an add on buffer.
"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
March 17, 2025, 02:29 PM
MikeinNC
So I got the new Wolf op rod recoil spring. Installed it. Went to the range. Even used factory 150 fmj ammo and the SMK ammo, gun cycles, just doesn’t strip off the left side of the USGI mag.
Same problem. Stumped.
I’m gonna email SpringfieldThis message has been edited. Last edited by: MikeinNC,
"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
March 17, 2025, 10:57 PM
arcwelder
I have thoughts.
Look for wear patterns, this is an unusual one.
How easily does the trigger group lock into the rifle?
My guess is the ears of the trigger guard aren't locking tight, or uneven. Lock the trigger into the receiver out of the stock. If there is wiggle.. Something is canting the mag.
OR
It's anemic range ammo like Winchester White Box
OR a combination of things..
Do you have dummy rounds? Racking it with dummies is a good tool.
Arc. ______________________________ "Like a bitter weed, I'm a bad seed"- Johnny Cash "I'm a loner, Dottie. A rebel." - Pee Wee Herman Rode hard, put away wet. RIP JHM "You're a junkyard dog." - Lupe Flores. RIP
March 18, 2025, 06:26 AM
benny6
quote:
Originally posted by MikeinNC: So I got the new Wolf op rod recoil spring. Installed it. Went to the range. Even used factory 150 fmj ammo and the SMK ammo, gun cycles, just doesn’t strip off the left side of the USGI mag.
Same problem. Stumped.
I’m gonna email Springfield
Check for bolt stop interference with the bolt. This was from a M14 forum member from 2009... Failure to Feed from left side if the mag
I've had similar problems w/a loaded model. It was actually a failure to feed problem, all from the left side of the mag.. Sent it off to SAI and they polished the chamber. Still had unreliable feed problems. Removed the op rod spring, installed a mag and fed by hand. What was occurring was that the left bolt lug was contacting the backside, and top, of the bolt stop during each feeding cycle. Enough so that a peen mark was left on the bolt stop in this area. As they left lug moved forward in the rail, it pushed the bolt stop downward. When it did this, the bolt stop bottom pushed the next left side cartridge downward in the mag. This in turn caused enough of a misalignment between the cartridge and chamber, as to cause erratic feeding. Cartridge cases were somewhat deformed through this erratic feeding. If the cartridge is pushed down far enough, the bolt will not catch the cartridge at all. I've measured the thickness of the bolt stop at the top and it was .025 thicker than any of my spare bolt stops. I'm under the impression that the bolt should not contact the bolt stop at all, until the last round is fired. As the bolt stop is a PIA to change out, even with the proper punches, it is awaiting return to SAI this week. Hope you are able to follow my description of the problem. If you have a FTF from the left side of the mag, best to disassemble the rifle and perform the same tests. dozier
Updated 12/17/09: Well got my rifle back from SAI in November for the above feeding problem. They changed out the bolt stop for one that clears the left bolt lug when it goes onto battery. SAI stated that they fired 80rds out of it at their facility. I checked the finish product, and the bolt does not touch the BS till the last shot is fired. Haven't been able to get to the range till yesterday. Fired 40rds out of two brand new CMI mags. Went thru those rounds w/o a hitch, and no deformed bullets. So if you do have a problem w/your M1A not feeding properly out of the left side of the mag, check for proper clearance on the Bolt Stop. See above post. dozier
^^^as I was laying awake trying to go to sleep last night I thought about the bolt stop causing interference with the rounds.
I had a migraine today and haven’t been my self. I’m gonna go check it now.
Thanks Benny
Here’s some pics of the bolt stop from the bottom, you can see the spring is wonky as the BS can move fore and aft on its roll pin.
The spring seems weak also-but I don’t have another weapon to compare it to.
I’ll go to the range tomorrow and wedge a piece of wood under the BS and see if the gun will feed. I think the BS might be bouncing and slowing the bolt. Nothing is obviously peened over on the Stop or the bolt itself.
"Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor.” Robert A. Heinlein
“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020
“A single round of buckshot to the torso almost always results in an immediate change of behavior.” Chris Baker
March 19, 2025, 10:15 AM
benny6
This is the area he's talking about. Make sure the bolt isn't contacting the bolt stop when it rides over it. The bolt stop should not contact the left case when it's fully down.
