Feeding issues on 1918A2

[Beginner]

Finally got to shoot my Royal Typewriter BAR but it was pretty disappointing. I managed to get just a few bursts of full auto fire, as most shots causes a malfunction which I am trying to figure out. 

Practically every shot caused a stovepipe, or a "double feed" with the casing still inside the receiver and the next cartridge from the magazine "loose" as in not in the magazine anymore but stuck between the casing and the round still in the mag. So had to lock the bolt back, drop the mag, shake out the casing as well as the loose live round. So seems like some kind of failure to eject. My thoughts:

1. Bad ammo? I shot S&B (124 gr,  V0 3100 fps) and Fiocchi (147gr, V0 2800 fps), no difference in performance feeding wise. I cannot get ahold of M2 ammo unfortunately. If this is an ammo issue I need to start reloading (maybe pull the bullets on my ammo and re-powder it according to M2 specs)
2. Bad mags? I tested at least 10 different ones so not likely
3. Dirty gasplug? Nope, looks brand new, same as gastube and gas hole in barrel is clean. Tried on all gas setting to no avail. 
4. Worn extractor? Not likely, spring strong and no wear what so ever that I can see
5. Ejector issue? I noticed at home that the ejector plunger (on the end of the mag release) is stuck and the detent is not "catching" in the ejector hole. So the ejector seems to have slided downwards just a hair (hole almost still aligns with the plunger), but not likely to cause the issue?! I tried to get the stuck plunger out but it is _stuck_. Any tips? I have it soaking on penetrating oil now. 
6. Buffer tube assembly issue? Not likely, both fire modes caused the same issues

What am I missing? 

The short bursts I was able to do felt awesome, the slower rate of fire is soooo smooth to shoot. Love this gun but need to get it running 

[Mongo]

double feed or stove pipes are typical of an under gassed gun.  Wear on the op rod gas seal areas? Buffer could be too stiff due to old oil/dirt?

 

 

[Beginner]

1 hour ago, Mongo said:

double feed or stove pipes are typical of an under gassed gun.  Wear on the op rod gas seal areas? Buffer could be too stiff due to old oil/dirt?

 

 

Very possible, it's the only part of the gun I did not "examine". Is it doable without the BAR combo tool? 

[jim c 351]

Beginner,

Based on what you stated I vote for #5, the ejector. Its also one of the cheaper parts to replace..

Keep us informed,

Jim C

 

[Orion]

I'm with Jim c 351, check the ejector. If the ejector isn't seated properly and locked into place it will not kick the shell out of the receiver. Pull your bolt back even with the ejector and see how close the ejector is in conjunction with your bolt, the ejector should fit nicely by the bolt. Obviously check for excessive wear on your ejector also.

Edited November 18, 2024 by Orion

[Beginner]

9 hours ago, jim c 351 said:

Beginner,

Based on what you stated I vote for #5, the ejector. Its also one of the cheaper parts to replace..

Keep us informed,

Jim C

 

 

7 hours ago, Orion said:

I'm with Jim c 351, check the ejector. If the ejector isn't seated properly and locked into place it will not kick the shell out of the receiver. Pull your bolt back even with the ejector and see how close the ejector is in conjunction with your bolt, the ejector should fit nicely by the bolt. Obviously check for excessive wear on your ejector also.

 

Thanks. I will check the ejector. But the condition of the ejector itself is tip top, and comparing to my other (WW2) BAR it looks brand new. The problem is the stuck plunger in the trigger group (part 45 in the diagram). Will take a pic later today. I am trying to figure out how to get the plunger out so I can try to fix it. I could drill it but no spares to be found. 

Finding any BAR parts in Europe is practically impossible, and no real way of getting them shipped from the US either. 

[Orion]

You can try a heat gun or hair dryer if it is dried up grease or cosmoline in the plunger hole. If you have access to a ultra sonic cleaner you could try that also.

[Beginner]

6 hours ago, Orion said:

You can try a heat gun or hair dryer if it is dried up grease or cosmoline in the plunger hole. If you have access to a ultra sonic cleaner you could try that also.

That is a good idea, thanks. 

 

On another note: I took the whole buffer apart and the whole thing with all the parts is pristine, no old grease or dirt whatsoever. And looking at the ejector's position it is hard to believe it would cause it. The ejector can only slide down a fraction of an inch before rendering the mag-catch inoperable, and still when in this lowest position (where the magcatch till works) it sits firmly within the bolt face. So I'm thinking I need hotter ammo.... What have you guys been feeding the BARs? 

 

I will take pics later today just to make sure I am not missing something obvious. 

Edited November 19, 2024 by Beginner

[Beginner]

Success (hopefully)!

Full writeup in case someone else encounters the same issue.

I tested and if the ejector is moved out of place just the right amount the mag catch still works (too much movement and the button is dead) but empty cases (snap caps in this case) are not kicked out. The difference was maybe 2mm/0.08 inch, so not much. 

Also: I blasted the stuck plunger with heat and after a while cosmolene started bubbling and pouring out of the plunger hole. The plunger slowly, like a turtles head, started exposing itself. I managed to grab the end with a plier and the thing came out. Pulled the stuck spring out as well. After cleaning and oiling it works nicely and snaps into the ejector hole as it should. 

So case closed, at least until I get to the range again to verify. Thanks all!!