03 Springfield charging problem

jonk

I've had this problem off and on for awhile. My 03 Springfield won't reliably feed from the stripper clip to the magazine. The first four rounds strip off reasonably well; the fifth just won't go. Not every time, maybe 70% of the time though. The forth is visibly out of alignment and is slightly nose down and to the left, though stays in the magazine and feeds into the chamber just fine. This is with M2 ball, handloads with 168 gr Sierra matchkings, cast lead, whatever. GI brass, Federal brass, Winchester, Hornady, same difference.

I have about 30 stripper clips; some brass, some steel. Same problem with each clip.

The mag fills just fine if I single load.

I've also tried sort of holding the clip with pressure on one side or the other to get the first round started to the left or right as the case may be. The wider area on the follower is to the right so I think it's a moot point, they're always going to go that way.

So I'm left with one round on the stripper. This really puts a crimp on things when trying to use the gun in a timed highpower match.

Whatcha think?

rufe-snow

Trick that has worked for me with strippers that tend to jamb, is to exert pressure up on the nose of the top cartridge with the middle or index fingers, as you use your thumb to push down on the rear portion of the top cartridge.

cbyerly

You may have a M1917 follower spring in the rifle. That would make it hard to insert the last round. Change the spring and try it.