SmallCaliberCentral

OK,

Having nothing but trouble getting my new home built 204 AR to function. I've been told that the p-mags I'm using definently won't work, I've proved that. I've had better luck with some 20 rd AR-stoner mags, but still have a feed issue now and then. Your thoughts?

Is it a problem of the bolt not closing? Or rounds not feeding at all?

Rounds not feeding most of the time, but an occasional none closed bolt click.

Hmmm. When I started with my 204. I had to polish the feed ramp. And then use plenty of oil. I also now have ar stoner mags. I had to play with seating depth back and forth until they were long enough for accuracy and short enough to feed reliably. Now both ballistic tip and HP bullet feed fine.

Stein,

What bullet depth did you determine worked the best?

32gr. Ballistic tips are at 2.275. And 34gr. is at 2.267.

I use pmags without a hitch. I did have some trouble before the bolt got all worked in and soaked up enough oil. The only thing I'm working on now is trying to figure out how to keep it from throwing my spent brass halfway across the range.

speaking of brass being thrown everywhere...........I bought one of those brass catcher deals for my AR. I dont use it anymore because the brass is hot when it gets ejected and it melts the catcher mesh to my brass and it's a pain to clean off. You would think that whoever designed these things would have tried them out first and would have rectified the problem in the design.

I got to agree with you about the mesh catchers, they aren't very good. That's why I came up with this:






Made of pvc, very light, a little bulky, but work very well.

Beautiful!

Can you detail/pic how its secured? It looks like the pin inserts where the dust cover would, and the clip grabs the picatinny rail?

All metal?

Actually the pin inserts into one of the holes in the back of the ff tube like this pic shows, then the clip snaps onto the picatinny rail. I also have one with a center clip that works for uppers with separate rings, and it doesn't need the pin in front.

They are made entirely of pvc, except the pin is a pop rivet and I also use them where the elbow is where it turns down. Then the bottom trap door you can kind of see in the top pic will open to allow you to dump your brass. They hold about 50 .223's or .204's. I use them at the range and hunting, can't imagine going out without one now!

pokey308, what mag size (number of rounds) did you use?

I am looking for hi cap magazines. The pmags (30 round) using a LULA loader do not work at higher capacity. Did not test to find what number of rounds would work.

I have researched for .204 hi cap magazines with little result.

Any help would be appreciated.

Ah, I love Yankee inginuity!!

I've got the 20rd mag. Ive ran about 200rds through it without a hitch. Other than the intial break in where I just was lubing the crap out of the bolt as I was doing a range session. But other than that yeah no problems. I must also say I prefer them over the metal ones. I built the rifle for one thing, shoot coyotes. I like to hunt in cold weather and a cold mag is not a friend of mine. lol.