AW Mags in KRG Bravo

[JeffreyD]

I built up a 308 for PRS matches that consists of a KRG Bravo, Defiance Deviant action, Benchmark barrel. I went with the AW magazine (this is my first bolt action custom rifle) due to the lower profile. I purchased the extended mag release per KRG to make the AW mags feed correctly (it only fed 50% with the stock mag release). I carefully fitted the mag release until it was a tight lock up with the mags. When first shots were fired, the gun spit the mags out after every round, all three mags. With help from KRG, I adjusted the fore end and then trigger guard to a tighter tolerance on the magwell and things were fine, until yesterday at my first match. One mag (and only one...I bought three brand new) ejected itself very 3 or 4 shots. The other two functioned fine. I cannot find any difference in them even measuring with dial calipers for tolerances.

Some thoughts I had that I am hoping I can get some input on are: 1) The lockup of the mags to the release is very tight, maybe this should have a small amount of play? 2) The latch engagement on the mags themselves is extremely minimal, should I consider a bit of relief work with a dremel to make a larger bearing surface?

I need to do something because my personality is to take my toys and go home if I can't trust my gun to run right (I did three gun for a few years and learned that reliability trumped everything in that game). I am new to PRS.....I am an old codger to boot (seems to be mostly a young persons game) so any help is appreciated.

 

[Ackley Improved]

I would say you're right on the edge of the latch holding the mags. Two just catch correctly and the other just not there. It's the recoil. I have a Tenacity, AW mags with HRD kits and it feeds 6br perfectly with standard mag latch. I did adjust magwell forward snug, but will still drop mags without needing to remove by hand. I'm surprised it didn't feed with standard latch.

 

[JeffreyD]

With the standard latch, the mags were just low enough that every few rounds, it would not pick up the round with the bolt. Just sat a hair too low.

When I get to my next destination I am going to address the edge on the latch a hair more so the mag isn't quite so tight against the bolt, plus ensure the lip of the latch is square and angled like the original. I will also tighten up the mag well a bit more, then see if those steps work without actually touching the mag. Thanks for your help.

 

[rothgyr]

I have an extended latch on order for the same reasons. My lone peak needs just a little more purchase on the rounds to feed 100%. What did you use to trim your latch?

 

[JeffreyD]

As I was dealing literally with "thousandths" of an inch, I used a quality flat file with the latch in a cloth in a vise. I would shave a few strokes being careful to maintain the profile, then pause and compare to the old latch. Install, test and do it again. The flat file surprised me by cutting a very smooth surface on the latch, but when I was done, I still used my gunsmith stones to polish. That last part probably isn't necessary as only the very tip catches and rides the mag latch, but hey.....

 

[rothgyr]

Who makes a quality flat file? Asking for a friend...

 

[JeffreyD]

LOL....I don't know for sure. In my case, I am 65 years old. Where did I find a high quality flat file....In my 89 year old dad's tool box. He had them in all shapes and sizes, including tools that even I could not identify but must have had a purpose before power tools. I think you could find one in Lowes or Home Depot or even Ace hardware. Look for the individual file, preferably US made with a fine pitch (or is it tooth count, don't remember). The key is to remove only a small amount of metal in as smooth a profile as possible I believe.

 

[rothgyr]

Ha! Sounds like 80% of the tools I've got in my garage. Thanks for the tips, I'm so done with magazine issues, and I love the way the AW feeds when it feeds.