Posted: 2/10/2005 7:15:43 AM EDT
|
Are there any ARFCOM folks in East Texas who have reliable Colt/RRA-style 9mm systems? Mine has always been a little flakey, and I suspect the problem is with the bolt or mag block. I'd like to try it with some known good parts to isolate the problem before I start buying replacements. Can anyone out there help me out? Thanks! SC |
Where in E Texas? I am in Canton. Mine is 'reliable' with only certain UZI mags. I have about 6-8? mags and you are welcome to drive over and try them out anytime. TRG |
|
Mine was an unreliable piece of shit RRA 9mm Until I got the Hy-Tech mag block. Now I can bump fire all my mags with no problems. Go read this thread... ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=15&t=166968 Then go buy the mag block and only Uzi star mags for it. You will finally be happy with it. |
It sounds like even with your "good" mags reliability is questionable. I have one Colt mag that runs pretty well -- I'd say about 95%. My Uzi mag runs about 85%. I just picked up one of the new polymer mags. It hasn't been to the range yet, but I've had several failures during hand-cycling. I'd prefer to find a bolt/block combo that works with my existing mags. If I had another bolt and block to try, it would help me isolate the problem. I'm in Henderson, so I might be able to make a jaunt to Canton some weekend later this Spring. Thanks, SC |
ILL has spent ALOT of time and money on his 9mm to finally get it running 98% or better (it does jam, don't let him lie to you). I considered buying a new magblock, new mags, etc. But...my 9mm is not my primary 'go to' gun. Reliability is possible with the 9mm setup, but few people have 100% reliability. FWIW, I have read posts from people that claim thier Glock has never jammed, and then gone shooting with them and SAW it jam. Might be a basic desing issue trying to use the blowback system in an AR platform. It can be made to work, but all the steps are made to overcome the basic problem. Adapting one system (5.56 gas bleed) to a straight blowback system. YMMV. You are still welcom to come up some time and shoot. Henderson is a nice town BTW. But it is about 90 miles from my house. TRG |
|
This gun will never be my "go-to" gun, so I don't plan on investing a ton of energy making it work. But if I could get it 99.x% reliable for a couple hundred bucks, I'd probably do it. From what I'm hearing, that doesn't sound likely. Do 100% original factory Colt rifles have the same problems, or is it just the conversions? Mine is a Colt barrel on an unknown numbered A3/4 upper. I assume the bolt is Colt since I've had it since before RRA entered the 9mm game. It has a fairly clumsy ramp and polish job. I'm assuming the polishing was done by a previous owner in an attempt to improve reliablility. The mag block is a one-piece stainless unit held in place by a large springloaded front detent. It has no identifyng markings. The upper came on a pre-ban lower I bought a few years before The Great Liberation of 2004. I promptly replaced it w/ a 5.56 M4 upper, and it sat in the closet until TGL04 when I decided to build a new lower for it. I'm halfway tempted to just sell it, but I keep thinking it would be kind of cool if it would just work. |
Ask ILL how much he invested in his before he got the perfomance he has now. It will make you think twice about it. I don't know what mag block you have. Mine is a RRA magblock, and I have heard of better results from better blocks. Others like the RRA block. Keep in mind, the magblock has a feedramp on it. Small errors in a the positioning will cause reliability problems as well. I have heard of using a Dremel to reshape the block to change the angle of entry for the round, and also marking the block so that you know it is in the proper position everytime. Single stack mags will help. I could secure my block in my lower, and probably would get better results, but I switch uppers and lowers all the time. I'll try securing mine in a lower one day for a permanent 'home' for my 9mm and see if that works better. TRG |
|
I think you're right. My mag block is held in place by the mag catch, which passes through the block to engage the mag. The detent on the front (and another tiny one on the back) hold it roughly in place, but there is no rigid attachment. I sometimes have better results if I physically push up on the mag while firing. This seems to let the bolt get a better grab on the rim and push it straight into the chamber insted of flipping the bullet up and jamming the nose into the barrel face above the chamber (which is what usually happens to me). |
I read up on the Hy-Tech mag block. It apparently fixes a lot of reliability issues, but I don't think it's what I'm looking for. I want the 9mm controls to be exactly the same as a standard AR (standard mag release button, bolt hold-open, etc.), which the Hy-Tech doesn't provide. I guess the hottest thing out there for 9mm ARs still won't fix my problem. Sigh. |
|
I took the 9millie to the range again yesterday to test with the new polymer mags. I wasn't impressed. TRG, I'll try to get out to Canton sometime this spring for some testing. How far outside of town are you? My wife has been itching to go to the trade days. Maybe we can find a sitter for the kids and make a day of it. Thanks, SC |
I am baout 5 minutes south of town. drive to my place, drop you off, let her go on to shop. As for your decision on the 9mm magblocks, I agree with you about the controls being different with ILL's block. Personally, I like the system I have for ease of use. I'll get around to tinkering with mine soon. TRG |