Massive Malfunction

M

marsbars

New member
Okay I have put on the asbestos suit in preparation for the replys but please keep it sane. Please.

I went to the range this weekend to try out my New Springfield SAR8. I had 200 rds of British surplus to give it a thorough field test. First shot went off beautifly. The bullet hit the target exactly where I was aiming at with the stock sights at about 150yds. The recoil was a lot less than I was preparing for. With the muzzle break it kicked less than my SKS. However I squezed off the next round and then another to do a double tap. Well bam it jammed. The damn thing was double feeding. Well this proceeded to happen almost every third round. Yet sometimes it wouldn't happen for 5+ rounds. My Brother in law did say that some rounds didn't seem to have the report that others did. The brass was either flying 30 or so feet off to the right and slightly to the front and others were no more than dropping to the ground at my feet. Then jam, another DF.

No that you have stopped scolding me for buying the Damned thing do you think that my problems could be magazine related, ammo, or all gun? And please lets just assume that the gun isn't all to blame.

I can't really stand to trade it off at a loss as I really like the way that it shot when it was working. Should I try some say Winchester hunting loads that should be up to full power or just send it back to Spingfield to be repaired or replaced?:barf:
 
I do not know enough about SAR8's to give you a fully informed opinion but I'll take a SWAG at it. Sounds like 2 different problems. Failures to feed, different sounding reports, and brass landing at significantly different spots - sounds like an ammo or gas operation problem. I would break the rifle down and give it a complete cleaning and then try some different ammo and see if the problem goes away. You may have gotten a bad batch of surplus ammo and you should definitely try a couple other brands to fully check reliability. Did you notice the difference in the reports as well? When I notice a significant difference, I stop and clear the rifle and then check to see if a round is lodged in the barrel. I do not know if it would cause a bursted barrel but I know I don't want to find out.

The double feeding sounds more like a magazine problem and you might need to adjust the feed lips or replace the spring. Does the double feed happen with all your magazines or just one of them? I know on AR15's you need to stay away from USA Brand mag's because of poor quality and non-existent reliability.

When you get it figured out - post a message in the thread.
 
Miles pretty much hit the high spots. Tear her down and clean the gas system and the bolt. Try another brand of surplus. I assume that you're using surplus mags? They ought to be fine, but try another if possible.

If all this fails, there's always the Springfield LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Springfield might not take an accuracy complaint extremely seriously on an SAR8, but if anything, it should be drop dead reliable...it's a G3 for goodness sakes!
 
Two of three possible problems:

Double feeds are caused by magazine lips being too far apart, most likely (USA mags and some old damaged Orlites spread out under pressure from the ammo). Try another magazine.

Ammunition seems inconsistent, varies in power OR your reciever is uneven and causess the bolt to stick. Try different ammunition, if that doesn't help, strip the gun and examine the wear marks inside.

SAR doesn't have a gas system, it is a retarded blowback design.
 
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