AR-15 magazine insertion issue

[radiotom]

30 round Pmags
DPMS receivers

I get the same issue with multiple pmags whether it is 28 or 30 rounds loaded.

When inserting a magazine with the rifle in the closed bolt position, usually you give the magazine a little slap after insertion to make sure it is seated properly. OK. Well I've noticed that when I do this sometimes the 2nd cartridge in the magazine will pop up slightly making the next insertion (and magazine eject) very difficult. I don't even want to try chambering with this setup. I don't remember this happening at all until today. I've owned this gun for a good 7 months or so. Please help.

EDIT: Metal mags don't seem to do it no matter how hard I slap.

 

[Ar180shooter]

Has it actually caused any issues when you use it?

 

[Jackal]

Need pics of what the rounds are doing. In my PSA I can easily insert any mag fully loaded with only a slight push, including pmags. I will say though, I have heard of more out of spec DPMS rifles than any other currently produced brand. Not downing the brand but thats been my observation. I had one years ago with the heavy barrel and it would not accept a fully loaded mag on a closed bolt no matter how hard I slapped them. I just think they need to adhere to the actual military spec sheet a little better.

 

[radiotom]

Need pics of what the rounds are doing. In my PSA I can easily insert any mag fully loafed with only a slight push, including pmags. I will say though, I have heard of more out of spec DPMS rifles than any other currently produced brand. Not downing the brand but thats been my observation. I had one years ago with the heavy barrel and it would not accept a fully loaded mag on a closed bolt no matter how hard I slapped them. I just think they need to adhere to the actual military spec sheet a little better.

Normal:
http://i.imgur.com/8TVXh6k.jpg

After slamming a magazine in:
http://i.imgur.com/Wth08Du.jpg

 

[radiotom]

Has it actually caused any issues when you use it?

Still chambered fine. I can't seem to get the magazine stuck again though...

 

[Jackal]

Good pics thanks. That looks like a faulty mag to me. It simply should not be able to do that. Has it been stored loaded for a long time? I have heard pmags can eventually deform after being stored loaded for extended periods ( year or longer) the feed lips can spread.

 

[adelbridge]

those little dust covers that come on PMags arent dust covers, they are to keep the plastic feed lips from getting deformed over time when the Pmag is left loaded.

 

[Jackal]

Problem is that gen 2's dont come with covers.

 

[radiotom]

I use dust covers for all of them, all the time.

 

[Destructo6]

Looks like a bad Pmag.

Email Magpul and see what they will do about it. An educated guess says they will replace it.

 

[dfariswheel]

those little dust covers that come on PMags arent dust covers, they are to keep the plastic feed lips from getting deformed over time when the Pmag is left loaded.

Not according to Magpul.
They say the covers are to act as dust covers and prevent damage to the top round.
They do nothing to prevent magazine spreading.

From Magpul's web site:

"In addition, an included pop-off Impact/Dust Cover can optionally be used to minimize debris intrusion and protect against potential damage during storage and transit".

 

[Jackal]

Not according to Magpul.
They say the covers are to act as dust covers and prevent damage to the top round.
They do nothing to prevent magazine spreading.

They in fact do push the rounds down upon installing, keeping pressure off the feed lips preventing them from distorting. They do also keep out dirt.

 

[rondog]

All my Pmags work fine in my DPMS. But I insert them gently, I don't smack mags in any of my guns. If they won't latch in easily, something's wrong.

 

[WhoMe?]

Magpul addressed this once on ar15.com. They were originally concerned about feed lip distortion (and said so in early product info) but are no longer concerned about it after several years of use and testing. To quote:

"It was written before we had enough data (4 years in combat conditions now). The cover is designed for impact protection and to stop debris from entering the magazine when being stored. You do not need them for feedlip creep protection."

Assuming the user "Magpul - Industry Partner" is actually Magpul, that should be a relatively definitiive answer to what the manufacturer thinks. Of course any product can have flaws and life limits and it looks like the OP has a bad one. I would contact Magpul and see what they say.

Of course the dust cover still does protect and relieve the feed lips, it is just a matter of how much this is really necessary. As for me, I keep my ready mags uncovered and my stored mags covered. YMMV. To each his own.

Here is the reference:
http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=17&t=523407

 

[Jackal]

^^^^ 100% Good post.