Does anyone else have issues with the vector have mag issues? My accurate mags over insert and will not allow the bolt to come forward. Aw mags grind on the bolt as it passes over them really bad. ARC mags work the best but still I you set the gun on the magazine on a bag the bolt will not go forward. So far not very impressed with this 1400 dollar action that doesn’t take mags reliably out of the box.
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Curtis Vector Issue
- Thread starter generalzip
- Start date
The issue is the action grossly allows the mag to be wayyy overinserted. So the feed lips stop the bolt from going forward. It’s not even close like .25 inches too high
I had the same problem with AW mags and AICS mags, I filled theag catch a good bit per Terry Cross instructions. Works perfect now.
I don’t think I’m explaining this correctly. No matter how much I file a mag catch, the mag would still be overinserted with any amount of pressure once I pull the bolt back.
I pretty sure I know what you're saying because it was the same issue with my kmw. Have you filed the catch and tried AW mags? I'm pretty sure You're gonna have to file the mag catch no matter what.
So can you use AICS mags? I’m not sure how filing would help with that. The AW mags it would help I think but why was this action designed to have AICS mags sit so High? My axiom never did this
Yea standard 10 round AICS and AW. The AW is much smoother though and I plan to only run AW's anyway. Yesterday I had my AW mag in the rifle sitting on my leg and while it would drag i could still cycle the bolt.
You are explaining it clearly. These guys just can’t seem to get it. Let me dumb it down for them. Filing a mag catch will let the magazine drop lower at rest. This isn’t generalzip’s problem. If there is any pressure on the mag it will ride up and will not let the bolt move forward. This has nothing to do with the bottom metal. If you were to pull the bottom metal out of the stock, you could push a magazine all the way up until the floor plate comes in contact with the mag catch. The limiting upward travel of the magazine is the contact between the mag feed lips and the rails on which the bolt slides. The same thing happens with a Remington 700 and aics pmags.
Op if it is protruding 1/4” then filing the magazine feedlips wouldn’t solve the problem as their would be nothing left to hold the cartridges in place. A poor boy fix would be to apply some epoxy on the bottom of the bolt rails where the magazine feed lids would come into contact. Let dry and file down to the correct dimensions.
Most of the custom action are CUT for AW mags.bdl bottom cut will also stop magazine from getting inside your receiver but you wont be able to use all them mags that avail like AW etc...remove you barrel action insert your mags on magwell of your receiver and youll see theres nothing stopping that magazine till it hit your bolt or receiver ..theres few bdm and chassis that has stopper..like defiance (below photos)
Hi,
Well why not just go direct to the source. This should get him to see your thread faster than him just browsing and seeing it
@Joel Russo
@Chase Curtis
Sincerely,
Theis
Well why not just go direct to the source. This should get him to see your thread faster than him just browsing and seeing it
@Joel Russo
@Chase Curtis
Sincerely,
Theis
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Hi,
Well why not just go direct to the source. This should get him to see your thread faster than him just browsing and seeing it
@Joel Russo
Sincerely,
Theis
That was my plan next. Just wanted to poll others that own a vector to make sure I wasn’t doing something completely stupid. I’m shocked a vector can’t use any of these mags reliably out of the box... you shouldn’t have to file a mag release on a 1400 dollar custom action IMO. And they should run AICS/accurate mags out of the box. Like what mags did they even test their action with?
BTW, by no means am I bashing the company. I came here for info and feedback from others honestly. I owned an axiom before this and it was such an amazing, smooth, reliable action it moved me to get a vector. Unfortunately my experience thus far has not been as great as it was with the axiom. The axiom was also smoother out of the box and the vector had a burr preventing the bolt from coming out of the action unless I really yanked on it.
Most chassis and stocks/bottom metal will have problems if you put pressure on the mags. I haven't shot a rifle yet where the AICS mags didn't bind when you set the rifle down on the magazine or pressed upwards on the magazine.
Do you still have issues when you aren't pressing up on the magazine?
Do you still have issues when you aren't pressing up on the magazine?
Did you buy the rifle complete? If so, I agree, if you only bought the action and you dropped it into a chassis you bought separately, 99% of the time you’ll need to do a minimal amount of fitting
I’ve had plenty of barreled actions plopped into chassis and never any issues. Maybe some minor tweaking of feedlips to get the round height and angle absolutely perfect but nothing more than that. The design of the vector is such that you CANNOT use AICS mags reliably. Any amount of pressure forces the mag way up to where you physically need to pull it back down against the mag catch for it to function again. The action does not have a stop for the mag to prevent it being over inserted.
ARC mags work unless there is any amount of force pushing up. Which would happen on quite a few PRS stages. AW mags seem like they would work if you filed the catch down, but any upward pressure and they would grind on the bolt and not cycle smoothly.
ARC mags work unless there is any amount of force pushing up. Which would happen on quite a few PRS stages. AW mags seem like they would work if you filed the catch down, but any upward pressure and they would grind on the bolt and not cycle smoothly.
My impact, axiom, surgeon, and tikka have no issues when I apply upward pressure on the mags and cycle the bolt. I know my friends defiance and bighorns don’t have this problem either.
Hi,
What chassis and/or bottom metal are you using?
Are you using Curtis Custom bottom metal?
Sincerely,
Theis
What chassis and/or bottom metal are you using?
Are you using Curtis Custom bottom metal?
Sincerely,
Theis
Curtis axiom actions don’t have problems. A few swipes of the feed lips on a acis pmag and I think I could cycle the action while standing on the rifle. My tikka ctr with factory magazines don’t have this problem either. I wouldn’t have a rifle that did.
So I tried the aics mag on my knee and I can not push the bolt forward.
As a aide note not to hijack your thread, somehow I stripped both of the set screws that are supposed to hold the barrel in place. I was using a wheeler fat wrench to 25 in/lbs. very disappointed with that. So my barrel is stuck, and I’ll have to call them tomorrow to figure this one out. Pretty bummed as I was really looking forward to shooting this tomorrow.
This is why I haven’t sold my AI. Heavy bitch but she runs and runs. That said I do like the bolt lift on the Curtis much better.
As a aide note not to hijack your thread, somehow I stripped both of the set screws that are supposed to hold the barrel in place. I was using a wheeler fat wrench to 25 in/lbs. very disappointed with that. So my barrel is stuck, and I’ll have to call them tomorrow to figure this one out. Pretty bummed as I was really looking forward to shooting this tomorrow.
This is why I haven’t sold my AI. Heavy bitch but she runs and runs. That said I do like the bolt lift on the Curtis much better.
I really don't like the idea of using a set screw for barrel retention. Another failure point introduced to the system, and an unnecessary one at that IMO.
Yea I finally got the set screws out and just torqued the barrel down with a torque wrench. Gonna call Curtis and talk to them to see if there’s any reason why I can’t just shoot it like this.
**UPDATE TO ALL MY PREVIOUS POSTS**
First off shout out to @Joel Russo for talking to me on a Sunday. I just got off the phone with him about my issues and they were resolved quickly and in fact it ended up being my bonehead mistake that stripped out the screws. Used the wrong bit. The correct bit is 3/32 for those wondering. They stated they might take a look at revising the set screws if it turns out they are a weak spot. I don’t know much about screws but I think a thicker wall would help a lot.
I also spoke to him briefly about the AICS mag issue that this thread is for. He said to file the feed lips and it should alieviate the issue. Haven’t done it yet, but hopefully that helps someone out.
Again, don’t mean to hijack the thread.
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So apparently the vector was designed to ONLY take AW mags. It will not be reliable with AICS style mags in any type of PRS match. Any pressure on the mag whatsoever when cycling the action will shove the mag so high the feed lips stop the bolt. It simply is a NO GO. Their website posts “accepts AW mags” but really it should say “NKT COMPATIBLE WITH AICS STYLE MAGS”.
If using AW mags you will find the bolt will grind nastily on the feed lips and is not smooth or easy whatsoever. Also inserting the mag you need tomdamn near hammer it to lock up. I assume this is the situation the above folks are talking about where you need to ruin your 900-1400 dollar chassis by filing away at the mag catch. This will allow the mag to lock in easier, however if you’re on a stage where you need to rest the gun on the mag (like a culvert, etc) the bolt will grind like shit again.
Just thought I’d post this info as I’m learning it.
If using AW mags you will find the bolt will grind nastily on the feed lips and is not smooth or easy whatsoever. Also inserting the mag you need tomdamn near hammer it to lock up. I assume this is the situation the above folks are talking about where you need to ruin your 900-1400 dollar chassis by filing away at the mag catch. This will allow the mag to lock in easier, however if you’re on a stage where you need to rest the gun on the mag (like a culvert, etc) the bolt will grind like shit again.
Just thought I’d post this info as I’m learning it.
The Vector will absolutely run AI and AW mags, we run them all the time in chassis without issues. That being said, the Vector was designed to run the AW mag. With an AI mag, and forceable upward pressure on the mag, it will contact the bolt body because we run a .750” od bolt. Chase and I just shot a PRS club match this weekend on Ohio, and we ran both AI and AW mags without a snag.
You can certainly contact me directly if you would like to discuss the issue.
If you are not happy with your Vector, you can return it to me for a full refund.
You can certainly contact me directly if you would like to discuss the issue.
If you are not happy with your Vector, you can return it to me for a full refund.
Joel let me know if there's action that will be returned..ill take one or two
Unfortunately I’ve spent over 700 dollars to get a barrel chambered and installed on it so returning it does not really make financial sense at this point.
There are many PRS stages where the mag makes contact with something. Culverts, drainage pipes, rooftops with a pump pillow underneath, etc. the vector will not cycle with AI mags under these conditions. With AW mags you have to modify your chassis to get them to insert properly and even then with any upward pressure the feedlips grind on the bolt and don’t cycle smoothly.
Again nothing against Curtis as a company. I freaking loved my axiom. I was just under the impression AI mags would work just like all my other actions but that is simply not the case. You shouldn’t have to pull down on a mag after inserting it and be unable to put any pressure on the mag during a match. You also shouldn’t have to modify your chassis on a 1400 dollar action out of the box to get it to feed properly. Just my .02 however as many seem to be OK tweaking with new stuff to get it to run.
Some pics for those wondering. If you filed the feed lips until the bolt didn’t hit you wouldnt have any feed lips left... for AICS mags that’s is
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Hi,
@generalzip
Have you browsed through this thread below? Maybe someone in it can help you....
https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...-issues-with-magpul-and-ai-magazines.6896356/
Sincerely,
Theis
@generalzip
Have you browsed through this thread below? Maybe someone in it can help you....
https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...-issues-with-magpul-and-ai-magazines.6896356/
Sincerely,
Theis
Not sure if you guys read the above posts. The issue is not the chassis. I’ve have my impact action in this chassis and it works perfectly. The issue is the action allows the AI mags to be over inserted. Reference above pictures.
The link you posted mostly refers to the mag sitting too low. That is not my issue. The issue is it sits WAYYYY too high when you insert it. If you physically pull the mag down against the catch it feeds fine. But any amount of pressure on the mag when the bolt is open will again over insert the mag and bind the action up. Again, take a look at the pictures I posted
Seems like you have a couple of choices. You can modify the receiver, the chassis, or the magazine to prevent it from inserting so far or you can return the action. With all the parts to choose from, it is tough to just screw stuff together and have it work. I've used parts from BAT, Badger, Brown Precision, Dakota, Defiance, Jewell, Manners, McMillan, Surgeon, Wyatt, and of the custom rifles I've assembled, every piece of them needed a modification of some kind. Some were simple and some were not.
Every action and every brand chassis doesnt play perfectly together. Some combos do, some dont. Example, I have multiple TL3's. I can run AI, ARC, AW, MDT in my TL3/XLR Envy combo flawlessly without ever a single issue. I recently was testing an MPA that was given to me with one of my TL3's and I cannot run AW mags, they dont work.
Would you say thats the actions fault just like your issue? But they run fine in a TL3/Envy combo? I have personally handled numerous MPA full factory rifle builds that have the very issue you are referring to. Put pressure on the bottom of the magazine and the bolt will not cycle. I was showing this to a distributor rep when he brought one in to a new retail firearms/indoor range facility my IT company built.
So this is not an isolated issue happening with just a Curtis Vector in your MPA like you think.
Would you say thats the actions fault just like your issue? But they run fine in a TL3/Envy combo? I have personally handled numerous MPA full factory rifle builds that have the very issue you are referring to. Put pressure on the bottom of the magazine and the bolt will not cycle. I was showing this to a distributor rep when he brought one in to a new retail firearms/indoor range facility my IT company built.
So this is not an isolated issue happening with just a Curtis Vector in your MPA like you think.
I just screwed my impact action together with a properly Headspaced barrel and it's worked flawlessly. The mpa chassis has been confirmed to work with tons of different actions, if your actions the one action that it doesn't work on it speaks volumes to there actually being an issue with the vector specifically. To make excuses why the action doesn't work and how to vastly modify other things to run it is a joke on a $1400 dollar action.
That actions sold as accepting both ai and aw magazines and the intent of the statement is to imply this is under normal circumstances not the modification of all your stuff to make it run. I can run my arc/aw mag in anyone's stuff on the firing line so why are we making excuses and accepting that modifications to this is acceptable. The simple truth is many are hooked on the kool-aid and man it's starting to seem its the wrong flavor.
That actions sold as accepting both ai and aw magazines and the intent of the statement is to imply this is under normal circumstances not the modification of all your stuff to make it run. I can run my arc/aw mag in anyone's stuff on the firing line so why are we making excuses and accepting that modifications to this is acceptable. The simple truth is many are hooked on the kool-aid and man it's starting to seem its the wrong flavor.
I'm afraid I'd disagree, adjusting feed angle and such is one thing. Having a magazine a third up the face of the bolt and claimed to run flawless is another. The same mpa chassis has run multiple different actions and magazines with absolutely no issue.... Throw the vector in and now there's an issue. It's easy for a company to say send it back well refund it knowing damn well the dude isn't going to so it because he's eating a barrel, pretty sure if I called tate at impact and had this issue I'd have a new action in the mail that day and or a barrel covered. There's clearly an issue here and once the dust settles folks will remember how it was handled.
So how do you explain this same cycling issues with MPA/Kelbly factory rifles with this very issue? I handled no less than 3 of them in a row that a factory rep delivered and showed him this very cycling issue. Bolt open and all the way back, put upward pressue on mag, bolt wont go forward....Bolt closed, apply pressure to mag, bolt wont cycle...He was very surprised. I only knew about this issue from a PRS shooter shooting a factory MPA rifle (Kelbly/MPA) that said he couldnt cycle the bolt with upward pressure on his mag.
Now, with my MPA/TL3 issue it wasnt this exact same issue, it just wouldnt feed rounds out of the AW mags. You can disagree, but this isnt the only action/mpa issue Ive dealt with first hand. Just sayin, not every one plays perfect together is all.
The OP's vector would do this in a manners stock as well. Read my above post. Remington 700s have this same issue. I haven't tried metal aics magazines in a remmy action but I know for a fact that pmags wont work. If you were to shave down feed lips to where the bolt will cycle then the freakin spring and cartridges would fly out. Maybe the metal mags would behave differently.
Generalzip, you could braze a couple of spacers on the front and back of the feed lips of a couple of your magazines to keep them from riding so high. Might make mag changes funky. better yet braze a few spacers on the underside of your action. It wouldn't be permanent and your mags wont be modified so they will work correctly in other actions. You would think that custom actions would account for this already.
I’ve owned a full MPA build with Curtis. You could rest the gun on the mag with an AICS or accurate mag in it and run it smoothly all day long.
Did you call Joel/ chase? Seems like the only option is the send them your action. A lot of the vectors have been shipped out Just weird that we're not hearing of this issue from others. My Smith has mine ill ask him to try it out with my mpa comp. Either way it sucks that you're having a bad experience But I'm sure Curtis custom will stand by their product if it is that.
I mainly said that so you could call mpa and asked if they had to do any modifications or If they seen any similar issues. They ordered 20 224bolts so I'm pretty sure they have some what of an idea.. just trying to help
