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Posted: 4/19/2011 8:25:38 AM EDT
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Hey guys, brand new to the forum and brand new to my new S&W M&P15. Heck, I'm new to guns in general. Just got into this hobby, and I'm having a blast already. I one of the geeks who loves taking apart, cleaning, and lubing my rifle almost as much as shooting it!
Along with the rifle, I purchased a few basic accessories, including a Magpul B.A.D. lever. It looked handy, and it was cheap, so I went for it. Upon installation, I noticed that it prohibits the bolt catch paddle from resting flush in its position when installed because of the bulk it adds, and the fact that my M&P15 is rounded above the bolt catch. I was wondering if it'd be an issue, but operation of it seemed fine, and I didn't notice anything problems, so I forgot about it. Fast forward to this past Sunday when I shot my gun for the first time. Had a blast, everything cycled and fired well, no problems. But I noticed two things: 1.) There was a consistent indentation/mark made on my casings after they were ejected. I don't know if this is normal wear from the extractor, or if it is indicative of a problem (including my perceived bolt catch problem)? I've included a picture of the mark below; it doesn't convey they depth of it, but at least you get the location. 2.) When I took apart the rifle to clean and lube it, I noticed there was significant wear on the actual bolt catch (within the gun). Also, there were flakes of what looked like brass (presumably from the bullet casings). It appears to me like maybe the catch is sticking up just a little bit and getting wear and/or causing wear elsewhere. This could absolutely be because of the fit of the B.A.D. lever, but I have no way to know. I've included a picture of the bolt catch. Thanks for the help in advance! I look forward to more shooting and learning in the weeks to come! http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb147/jamesgproctor/photo.jpg http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb147/jamesgproctor/photo2.jpg |
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Bottom (6 o'clock) lug of bolt is dragging across the top of your bolt catch. The BAD lever may be causing the bolt catch to be in the way as the bolt cycles. Either remove the BAD or try a better spring in your bolt catch assembly. If the spring is not strong, it will not keep the catch from flopping around when firing.
The dent/wear on your brass could be from it hitting the brass deflector or edge of the ejection port. Somewhat normal. If it constantly hits the edge of the ejection port, you have may have an over gassed rifle. Run it a while longer to see if the problem persists or goes away when the parts break in. |
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Thanks for the info. I'll start by removing the Magpul lever, though I really like having it installed. I'll check for wear and tear. If there's more, I guess I'll start looking into the spring, though the gun is brand new and I haven't heard anything about the M&P's having any issues with those from the factory.
And overgassed? Tell me more. I tried doing some research, but couldn't find much info. |
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The bolt catch is heavier with the BAD lever added on, causing a change in it's pivot point. The extra weight can allow the catch to raise and get hit by the bolt. If you remove the BAD lever, it should work as designed from the factory, without the catch being hit by the bolt. If you really really wanted to run the BAD on this rifle, an extra tough bolt catch spring may off set the weight of the BAD lever..........Some rifles have issues running a BAD and some don't.........
Over gassing the rifle is usually a barrel with a larger than normal gas port. More gas is vented into the action, and the rifle runs faster and harder than a barrel with a smaller gas port. If the rifle is over gassed, the parts are being bashed around and the timing off when expended casings can be sped up. The casing could be throw out of the receiver with force, hitting the ejection port before it normally would. Before you start thinking the rifle has issues, run it for a while and monitor the performance. Brass shavings could come from the extractor ripping out the expended casings. It could also be from the ejector (sharp edges) or even the sharp edges of the chamber extension. The rifle parts will break in after several hundred rounds and fit together better. Run it for a bit and keep it lubed. 
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Quoted:
The bolt catch is heavier with the BAD lever added on, causing a change in it's pivot point. The extra weight can allow the catch to raise and get hit by the bolt. If you remove the BAD lever, it should work as designed from the factory, without the catch being hit by the bolt. If you really really wanted to run the BAD on this rifle, an extra tough bolt catch spring may off set the weight of the BAD lever. I was just wondering, can a stronger bolt catch spring cause some problems too like the bolt not locking back due to the magazine follower not being able to activate the bolt catch because of the strong bolt catch spring? |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
The bolt catch is heavier with the BAD lever added on, causing a change in it's pivot point. The extra weight can allow the catch to raise and get hit by the bolt. If you remove the BAD lever, it should work as designed from the factory, without the catch being hit by the bolt. If you really really wanted to run the BAD on this rifle, an extra tough bolt catch spring may off set the weight of the BAD lever. I was just wondering, can a stronger bolt catch spring cause some problems too like the bolt not locking back due to the magazine follower not being able to activate the bolt catch because of the strong bolt catch spring? Yes. Too strong can prevent the magazine follower from pressing the bolt catch up. Too weak and the bolt catch can bounce into the bolt, locking it open, while rounds remain to be fired in magazine. If you were dead set on running a BAD, and had trouble like th OP, the stronger spring may be an answer as long as it is "tuned" to that rifle. Easier to just ditch the BAD 
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