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Posted: 10/8/2005 1:27:45 PM EDT
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I just bought a M261 from Sarco. I went out to shoot it last night and it won't feed from the magazines. The tip of the bullet gets hung up on the bottom of the chamber. I am using Rem Golden Bullet bulk pack and it has a really traditional bullet profile. Any ideas? Also, when it does feed; it has a hard time going fully into battery. I often have to physically push the bolt the rest of the way forward. It seems like a weak spring, but it was supposed to be a like new unit. |
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These things like to be well lubed, even run a bit wet. A drop of oil on the recoil spring and guide made a HUGE difference in how mine functioned--been virtually flawless since then. Try the insert in a different magazine, and try some different ammo. My insert gave some problems when used in an Orlite mag in one reciever (but not another). If those things don't work you might have to fiddle with the feed lips a bit. I can tell you that my M261 has been very reliable. Biggest problem has been failure to fire with certain lots of ammo, but you can have that in any .22 gun. |
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akconvert, I'm glad you started this thread, as I thought I was the only one with M261 problems (mine was purchased in used condition from another dealer, not SARCO.) I found that I had to jiggle the mag inserts a bit with the front end tilted slightly upwards so they would present the bullet to the chamber. I also cut a Q-tip in half and put it in my Dremel tool with a bit of auto polishing compound to clean out and polish the adapter chamber. I did the same for the feed ramps on the mag inserts. Snake45, I definitely agree with keeping the adapter well-lubed, as I had a lot of problems with failures to feed/eject when the unit was dry. My particular adapter is also ammo-sensitive, as Federal Game-Shock HV 710, Winchester X22LRH hollowpoint and Wolf Match Target had at least a 50% failure-to-eject rate due to not having enough power to cycle the bolt (Wolf was 100% FTE, but was the most accurate). So far the only round that cycles reliably (more or less) is the CCI Velocitor, which is a very high-velocity round @ 1435 ft/sec at the muzzle. Which ammo works best for you? |
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I only shoot copper-washed ammo in mine to keep lead and wax out of the gas tube. Federal Walmart Bulks function perfectly, but aren't very accurate--about an inch at 25 yards. Winchester Dynapoints are much more accurate, about half that or less. The Dynapoints are subsonic but cycle my guns well. Been having a problem with fail to fires in the last two boxes--about one or two in every hundred, which is unusually high for them (no doubt just a lot thing). Otherwise the Dynapoints work very well. AK, don't give up. My 261 has been running so well for so long that I forget that I had some problems in the beginning, too. I tried spraying the whole unit with dry lube, which didn't work out at all. Once I started keeping it well oiled, it's run 100%. And run well in four different uppers, too, although I now have it pretty much dedicated to one in particular. Yours might need some breaking in, or a little wearing or mating itself to your upper. You might also try CCI MiniMags for the break-in. They're very robust. Only shoot them until you get it operating reliably, though--the unit is actually only rated for standard velocity ammo and can break parts if hot stuff is used regularly. |
Actually, the M261's seem to be the cheapest units on the EE. I would echo what the others said --- keep it wet, don't jam up the mag inserts in the mag bodies, try different ammo to see what works. I still recommend Winchester Dynapoint's in the bulk pack from WalMart. |
I've got about 150.00 in mine. 8 mags, the conversion unit, and just about enough spares to build another one. I got it off the EE last year. Somebody had a ton of them and was providing great deals. The only downside is that I have not shot it all that much. 4~5000 rounds is all. ka |
No lead in mine. You paid what you paid--that's what they're going for now. I bought one from Sarco in '99 for $125 including three mags and the GI manual, but they've dried up since then. |
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I paid $85 for mine used, with two mags, from another member here. I can only echo what the others here have said. gman552 has the right idea with polishing the magazine feed ramps and the feed ramp at the breech. I have suggested this before using a q-tip and Brasso. My M261 was jamming the first time out. I quickly learned to keep the mags and breech ramp spotless and since then have had 100% reliability. I also chucked the guide rod in my cordless drill and ran it through a patch soaked in Brasso to polish it up some. I use Tetra grease on the rail, guide rod and spring. Like the others have said, these kits like to run wet and I occasionally put a drop or two of CLP on the bolt during range sessions. I have the adapter installed in my sons AR and he can easily burn through 300 + rounds of Winchester Dynapoints in one range session. Hope this helps and you get your M261 running, they are definitely worth it I think. |
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I found that the single biggest problem that I had was the "host magazine". When I switched to good magazines, they held the M261 mag in place fine and it's been great since. Just make sure that you keep it clean and lubed and it should run fine. Mine likes Walmart Federal bulk and the Remington Golden Bullet Bulk packs the most, though the Remingtons are about 100% more accurate than the Federals. It doesn't want to reliably cycle the cheaper bulk packs with the lead bullet. |
| You need good, high velocity ammunition (the Remington bulk pack stuff was not as reliable for me in ANYTHING, let alone the 261), more than "just enough" CLP, and good magazines to get a 261 to stay reliable. The magazine lips seem to have a huge degree of control over how the insert feeds, so use good ones. My RRA carbine does fine with mine, except for the poor quality Remington .22s. |
| The only problems I have ever had with my 261 have been magazine related. The inserts in my experience will only work with USGI mags in good condition. Orlites don't work at all nor do the British steel SA80 mags. I found a good deal on GI mags at knob creek in October so I picked up a couple to use as dedicated .22 mags. |
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