Stag Arms problem?

JNG

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I bought a 20" Stag from Arms East over a year ago. I've only been out the range a few times with it since. In every trip to the range I have yet to have it work properly.

The USGI 30rd mag feeds alright but rarely ever locks open when empty.
The Questar 30rd mag with anti-tip follower jams ever other round - bullet gets pushed back into casing.
Rock River Arms 10rd mag feeds perfectly but never allows the bolt to lock open when empty.

2 Questions:
1. How do a correct this problem - The previous 16" Stag I had work flawlessly with all these mags :(
2. Where's Walter? I've emailed him for help/recommendations a couple of times. I think he has been abducted by aliens...:eek:
 
your mags arent damaged in any way? you have been keeping them clean and everything else appears normal?
 
A couple of people have already said it, but it bears repeating. Lube.

If all the parts are fine and not damaged/out of spec make sure it's well lubed. You might have better luck, I did.
 
I'm an AR newbie, so I can't offer advice...but I'm also looking at AE's Stag R2.
Aside from the mags, have you had any other troubles with the gun?
 
I'm an AR newbie, so I can't offer advice...but I'm also looking at AE's Stag R2.
Aside from the mags, have you had any other troubles with the gun?

The issues above are almost definitely not mag related. Stag makes very, very good AR's - this is the only thread I can remember in 3 years dealing with a Stag having problems.

ETA: I do not currently own a Stag, I have in the past and would again without hesitation.
 
Yes, lose the Winchester 40 grainers if that's in fact what you're using. Need ammo with some oomph to it.

I very much doubt magazines are your problem. I don't think lube is much of a factor from your description either, but I'm sure a few drops in the proper places couldn't hurt.

I can meet up with you if you want with some ss109 at the club if you don't have success and help get your gun going reliably.
 
Check the lenght of your recoil/buffer spring, I had bought a used stag and had the same issues. After tearing it apart I found the spring was half an inch too long, I cut the extra off and my problems went away.
 
Check the lenght of your recoil/buffer spring, I had bought a used stag and had the same issues. After tearing it apart I found the spring was half an inch too long, I cut the extra off and my problems went away.

No rifle comes from us with the wrong spring. My educated guess is that the previous owner of your rifle purchase a collapsible stock kit elsewhere but reused the rifle length spring from an A2 buttstock. Rifle action springs longer than carbine action springs, and some stock kits from brownells etc, don't include the spring.

I have spoken to JNG and the problem seems to be his mags (not purchased from us). We are working through it. I went through a "phone inspection" with him, and it seems his rifle is freely functioning. JNG owns a factory rifle, which is covered by a lifetime warranty.
 
The issues above are almost definitely not mag related. Stag makes very, very good AR's - this is the only thread I can remember in 3 years dealing with a Stag having problems.
I very much doubt magazines are your problem. I don't think lube is much of a factor from your description either, but I'm sure a few drops in the proper places couldn't hurt.

Just read through the rest of the thread, and if I can say, I didn't think the problem was mag related either, and was expecting to be requesting him to send the rifle back for a lookover, until JNG described the problems he was having in detail on the phone, The 10rnd mags sound like they have weak springs, and the 5/30 sound like they need the lips adjusted slightly as they are not releasing the round, also not completely unusual. Neither FTF issue seems rifle related. The problems are all common type mag failures, and are separate issues with separate types of mags. I actually think he hit a perfect tsunami of bad mags.

We've spoken about a couple of last things to check and he will be trying the rifle at the range shortly, marking each mag, trying the one-shot/test for hold open, etc. If it doesn't work correctly, we'll want the rifle back for a go over here.

To the poster asking about quality, there are hundreds and hundreds of Stag Arms rifles in use in Canada, by everyone from sport shooters, shooting instructors, police patrol carbines, Nuke Plants and beyond. So far we've had one rifle come back for warranty work.

All Stag Arms rifles sold in Canada have a lifetime guarantee to the original buyer. Parts/Assemblies have a 1-year warranty.
 
I can vow for StagArms , They are Tier 1 class rifles up there with Colt and LMT in my professional opinion.
 
My dad was a (US trained) armourer on the m-16 a1's. I asked his opinion on this difficulty and he seems to feel that the magazine spring(s) can be too weak. The buffer spring can be too strong (how this occurs is beyond me). Perhaps restricted buffer movement is involved . And lastly, if you are using commercial ammunition, the powder may not be suitable for the m-16 gas system. Some commercial ammuntion is geared towards bolt action varmint rifles (where the powders pressure curve matters not) as opposed to semi automatic rifles.
 
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I have a (mainly) stag AR and have never had any problems. I HAVE had bullets being compressed (having the bullet pushed partially into the neck, but it was another issue. I believe I tracked it down to the magazine.
 
My dad was a (US trained) armourer on the m-16 a1's. I asked his opinion on this difficulty and he seems to feel that the magazine spring(s) can be too weak. The buffer spring can be too strong (how this occurs is beyond me). Perhaps restricted buffer movement is involved . And lastly, if you are using commercial ammunition, the powder may not be suitable for the m-16 gas system. Some commercial ammuntion is geared towards bolt action varmint rifles (where the powders pressure curve matters not) as opposed to semi automatic rifles.

Also, is the item previuosly owned or worked on? Irregardless, check to see if the gas tube rubs on the inside of the bolt carrier (highly unlikely this is a problem). Also, check alignment of the gas tube with the gas port---you could be losing compression here. I have heard of gas ports being drilled in crookedly at either from gunsmiths or smaller makers. A user of a paste like bore cleaner has warned about the possibility of getting some of this paste in the gas tube and causing problem, although we have never had this problem ourselfs. Unlikely causes but still possible.
 
Also, is the item previuosly owned or worked on? Irregardless, check to see if the gas tube rubs on the inside of the bolt carrier (highly unlikely this is a problem). Also, check alignment of the gas tube with the gas port---you could be losing compression here.

Good points, and covered in our phone conversation. Gas tube free floats, centered, bolt passes drop test.

Cheers.
 
STAG ARMS make a top tier rifle at a very competitive cost. My STAGS have no problem "keeping up" with my Colt and LMTs and, to be honest, the anodizing on the STAG guns is nicer than the other makes!
 
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