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Posted: 12/31/2020 3:19:01 PM EDT
[#1]
Dimensions for a lower and the dimensions for a mag have had zero changes between then and now. Something is wrong with your specific gun.
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Posted: 12/31/2020 3:20:56 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted: I have a pre-ban Olympic (1993), and I only have two 40rd and one 30rd that will seat properly. Did the tolerances change on the lowers or the mags between then and now? The only mags that fit have no markings but look like old military/colt brand, the mags that don't work are C products and B.F.I. I've tried H&H, and "Thermold" without success. I can see a difference between the ones that work and don't work. The "stop" on the side, and the notch at the top back of the mags are higher. I know this is a rookie question but has there been a change? |
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Posted: 12/31/2020 3:23:53 PM EDT
[#3]
Try a Magpul or OKAY surefeed magazine.
If those don't seat right, try unscrewing the magazine catch one full turn, that might do the trick. |
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Posted: 12/31/2020 3:49:49 PM EDT
[#4]
Could be out of spec lower. Oly didn't have the best qc out there.
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Posted: 12/31/2020 3:52:58 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Could be out of spec lower. Oly didn't have the best qc out there. Try using Good Quality "Gold Standard" magazines (MagPul, or USGI mags) Could be that old Oly Receiver (as mentioned - not exactly "Tier 1") Could be a bad magazine catch or mag catch is not property installed. Shouldn't be rocket science to figure out what the problem is. |
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Posted: 12/31/2020 4:00:24 PM EDT
[#6]
Try some quality USGI mags.
If you still have issues then the Oly lower is the problem |
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Posted: 12/31/2020 4:05:05 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Try using Good Quality "Gold Standard" magazines (MagPul, or USGI mags) Could be that old Oly Receiver (as mentioned - not exactly "Tier 1") Could be a bad magazine catch or mag catch is not property installed. Shouldn't be rocket science to figure out what the problem is. What he said. Also, did you go out and find a thermold to try or is that something you did before? Random lol |
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Posted: 12/31/2020 4:21:49 PM EDT
[#8]
That was the only brand that the store had. I took an empty, good mag to compare and it looked like it would fit. Returning it tomorrow.
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Posted: 12/31/2020 4:26:51 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Dimensions for a lower and the dimensions for a mag have had zero changes between then and now. Something is wrong with your specific gun. FPNI |
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Posted: 12/31/2020 7:21:23 PM EDT
[#10]
When you buy some new magazines, does the magazine fit in your Oly lower when empty and the bolt is closed? If so what should try down loading 25 rounds into a 30 round magazine and see it will latch on a closed bolt. Different ARs possibly have slightly different mag well dimensions.
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Posted: 12/31/2020 7:37:02 PM EDT
[#11]
Olympic had an issue once with their broaching tool wearing out. A bunch of lowered were made with out of spec mag wells. Mostly too narrow for anything other than Colt spec military mags.
I have one Colt A2 similar. Can’t for a PMag in it. |
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Posted: 12/31/2020 7:38:13 PM EDT
[#12]
A friend of mine has an Olympic lower with the same issue. Out of a couple dz mags, I think he has maybe 2 that actually seat as intended and none drop free. He's got to wrestle them out with force.
Trying to get him to dump it. |
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Posted: 1/1/2021 12:50:54 AM EDT
[#13]
Getting ready to change into someone more comfortable. Name changes coming.
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Posted: 1/1/2021 4:48:14 PM EDT
[#14]
Olympic was well known back in the days to not be the best quality. My suggestion is to buy a complete lower from a better known manufacturer. After all, you get what you pay for.
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Posted: 1/1/2021 10:52:30 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Olympic was well known back in the days to not be the best quality. My suggestion is to buy a complete lower from a better known manufacturer. After all, you get what you pay for. This here. Try a magpul pmag or okay surefeed. If one of those don’t work, then replace the lower. |
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Posted: 1/1/2021 11:22:26 PM EDT
[#16]
Ditch that lower and buy a new one.
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Posted: 1/1/2021 11:22:29 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Olympic was well known back in the days to not be the best quality. My suggestion is to buy a complete lower from a better known manufacturer. After all, you get what you pay for. This. Olympic was known for putting out a lot of out of spec forged or cast lowers that broke through the rear takedown lugs. The suggestion of replacing it with a current production lower from a quality manufacturer seems like a reasonable way to go to me. Keep the Oly in long term storage as an emergency backup. |
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Posted: 1/2/2021 11:04:29 AM EDT
[#18]
At the very least try a different mag catch. Yours might be out of spec.
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Posted: 1/3/2021 7:43:43 PM EDT
[#19]
Based on the OPs location, I would say put that lower (or the whole gun) up for sale on NE Shooters for a reasonable price and never look back. You will do someone a favor in a ban state and end up with a better rifle for your money as you should be able to do a substantial upgrade.
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Posted: 1/3/2021 7:49:38 PM EDT
[#20]
sounds like that lower could be a pcc candidate.
Maybe a 9mm mag block and use it to host a 9mm upper? Could be worth a shot rather than shelve it. |
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Posted: 1/3/2021 7:53:50 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 10 year badge. First post . . . thats got to be some kind of a record. |
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Posted: 1/3/2021 8:01:16 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: At the very least try a different mag catch. Yours might be out of spec. Yeah or maybe shave a little off the top of the mag catch and see if it'll go. |
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Posted: 1/23/2021 1:18:00 PM EDT
[#23]
Buy a new stripped lower.
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Posted: 1/30/2021 9:22:22 PM EDT
[#24]
My only experience with Olympic was the badly undersized mag well on the specimens I looked at at a Las Vegas gunshow many years ago.
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Posted: 2/7/2021 12:37:38 PM EDT
[#25]
It’s your lower not the magazines.
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Posted: 2/7/2021 12:42:55 PM EDT
[#26]
I have a DPMS lower that is like this, absolutely hates PMAGS and Okay ind./D&H Mags. I've had luck with Lancers, Tapco, Thermold, and Troy
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Posted: 2/7/2021 12:52:08 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: sounds like that lower could be a pcc candidate. Maybe a 9mm mag block and use it to host a 9mm upper? Could be worth a shot rather than shelve it. Replace the lower and look into this idea, or else sell the lower to the one or two remaining ban states. |
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Posted: 2/7/2021 12:59:09 PM EDT
[#28]
You can also go to a machine shop that has experience with AR's and re machine the inside and it will shave off any points that are out of tolerance
I have.a Sendra M16A1 that looks like that is what the previous owner did |
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Posted: 2/7/2021 1:00:15 PM EDT
[#29]
If you’re good with a file you can draw file a magwell.
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Posted: 2/9/2021 7:54:33 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 10 year badge. First post . . . thats got to be some kind of a record. LMAO |
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Posted: 2/9/2021 9:38:05 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If you’re good with a file you can draw file a magwell. I've done that before. Didn't take much effort. Or time. It was done to two lowers from a fly-by-night local company that I've never heard of before or since. Purchased during a previous panic, and I felt very fortunate to be able to get them. |
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Posted: 2/10/2021 12:48:48 AM EDT
[#32]
If you're talking about the SGW stop sign, I have one. It was made in late 1992 and I bought it in '98 as a new stripped lower. It's forged and the fit and finish is perfect except the wagwell is a little tight. I only used Colt and Okay ind. mags as they were the only ones that I found would drop freely. If I remember correctly, Magpul will also. I've been using it with a Tac Sol 22lr upper for awhile now and it runs perfectly.
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Posted: 2/10/2021 1:35:19 AM EDT
[#33]
I have a pre-ban Olympic (1993) 
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Posted: 2/10/2021 7:31:21 AM EDT
[#34]
Take the upper off the lower.
Insert (to lock in) the mags that fit and the mags that don't fit to see if the ones that don't stick up too high (probably a receiver issue). Or if they still won't lock in (mag. catch issue). Do the mags. lock in empty? But not when full? Maybe they require a more forceful seating effort. I have a rifle (not and AR15) that uses AR15 magazines. Some AR magazines will not lock in, some will. I went through a box till I got 10 that would lock in and just put them with the rifle in the mag. pouches on the case. |
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Posted: 2/11/2021 12:34:25 PM EDT
[#35]
I had an older Oly/SGW stop sign lower I got back in 87' Thing never worked with Theramold magazines I had at the time. Tight magwell but ran fine with USGI 20/30s which for some reason never in short supply for me.
CD |
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Posted: 2/13/2021 9:12:36 AM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have a DPMS lower that is like this, absolutely hates PMAGS and Okay ind./D&H Mags. I've had luck with Lancers, Tapco, Thermold, and Troy Those first three are about all I have. I think I'd be ditching lowers. |
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Posted: 3/27/2021 9:14:11 PM EDT
[#37]
Id try a new mag catch
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Posted: 3/27/2021 10:48:35 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Id try a new FIFY |
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Posted: 3/27/2021 11:04:44 PM EDT
[#39]
Instead of trying to find mags that fit your rifle. Maybe try finding a rifle that fits your mags.
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Posted: 3/27/2021 11:16:26 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Instead of trying to find mags that fit your rifle. Maybe try finding a rifle that fits your mags. Just went through a similar ordeal with my LMT lower recently. Magwell dimensions are stingy as all get out. Cut my Pmag collection by a third. Now I'm back to every mag/gun plays nice together. |
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Posted: 3/28/2021 2:28:27 PM EDT
[#41]
If it's an Olympic get rid of the gun. If it's a LMT get rid of the mags. Too funny.
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Posted: 3/28/2021 3:43:14 PM EDT
[#42]
Hey OP, either check or have a smith check your magazine catch. While lowers can be made out of spec it's more likely one of the small parts.
By the way, Welcome!
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Posted: 3/28/2021 5:56:43 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If it's an Olympic get rid of the gun. If it's a LMT get rid of the mags. Too funny. The LMT measures within spec, (albeit at the low end) the Pmag dimensions are all over the place. The Oly guns are well known for being out of spec. Many of which will not function correctly even with USGI mags. |
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Posted: 3/28/2021 8:02:52 PM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The LMT measures within spec, (albeit at the low end) the Pmag dimensions are all over the place. The Oly guns are well known for being out of spec. Many of which will not function correctly even with USGI mags. I'll agree with you on the Pmags and some of the Oly lowers. Those cast ones were pretty bad but a lot of them still ran ok. My late '93 forged K4B A2 has been running fine since it was built. Yes, I did buy it new. Couldn't afford the Colt I really wanted. Must have gotten a bonus as it freely drops all the mags I own. Did they build some junk hot messes? Definitely. Did Colt, Armalite 2 and Bushmaster? Definitely. For example, search "plastic buffer". Everyone made junk but Olympic made a whole line of trash with their entry level cast receiver guns (forget what they called them but they were 16" barreled carbines with an A2 stock) and their reputation just couldn't recover. I've heard of QC and service problems after the cast guns that likely didn't help their image. But to say anything is junk based on the name and without looking at it is absurd. That'd be like me saying,"I hate LMT rifles because they have tight magwells and they all should go to the recycler." To the OP: Only replace the receiver if it is in fact "out of spec". Have it checked by a reputable gunsmith, preferably one that knows AR15's well. |
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Posted: 3/29/2021 9:57:25 AM EDT
[#45]
Just for the sake of possibility, did you try adjusting the magazine catch?
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