LMT MWS 308 doesn't cycle with lighter rounds?

[DBigs]

I have a 6-7 year old LMT MWS308 and it won't cycle with light rounds like 147gr, 149gr, & 150gr. I've tried those in different manufacturers. None cycle at all. The first round will fire, it doesn't cycle, and I have to use the charging handle each time.

When I shoot 168gr and up, it's smooth like butter. Cycles great with several manufacturers in 168gr, 170gr, & 180gr.

Those are the 6 weights I've tried. I ended up with them from online purchases and trying different rounds that friends had with them to see what worked and what didn't since I was having that issue. The rifle is 100% factory aside from a different muzzle brake. Nothing is modified, I'm the original owner and purchased it brand new. Because of this issue, I haven't even shot it much as I was somewhat disappointed with that. I figured a decent rifle should work with whatever I fed it.

It doesn't have an adjustable gas block. And from what I've read, the gas block is installed and removed with a hydraulic press. So I don't want to mess with that if possible. I've searched different forums seeing if anyone else had the same issue and what their solution was, but didn't find much.

Any suggestions other than tossing out the lightweight rounds I have and using heavier rounds forever? Has to be a fix for it I'd think.

 

[HornDog87]

Your buffer is an h3, I'd pick up an h2 and go from there. The lighter round is probably struggling to cycle the bolt the whole way back. If your budget is good I'd pick up a jp scs that has the two extra recoil spring to tune it to what you want.
I have one in my lmt and it cycles whatever I give it factory charge or my reload charge weights. Hope this helps.

Semper fi
Horner

 

[DBigs]

Your buffer is an h3, I'd pick up an h2 and go from there. The lighter round is probably struggling to cycle the bolt the whole way back. If your budget is good I'd pick up a jp scs that has the two extra recoil spring to tune it to what you want.
I have one in my lmt and it cycles whatever I give it factory charge or my reload charge weights. Hope this helps.

Semper fi
Horner

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Just to make sure I’ve got the right one, it’s the JPSCS2-10 Builders Kit? It’s available at OpticsPlanet for $188.99.
If that’s the one, I’ll order it ASAP since they’re in stock.

Thanks!

 

[HornDog87]

That's the one

Semper fi
Horner

 

[GUNNER10]

Sounds odd.

What barrel are you having issues with, is this a new issue or has lighter rounds always given you an issue? Also, If you have an early rifle, you may actually have an H2.

FWIW, I gave the JPSCS a try in my 16 and 13 inch barrels while suppressed and had no luck with any of the configuartions. Really like that spring in one of my 556 guns though.

 

[DBigs]

It’s the original factory 7.62 16” chrome lined barrel. And I bought it probably around 2013? It’s got less than 200 rounds through it probably. I don’t shoot with a suppressor. Seemed like a lot of paperwork and waiting to get one (but I’d like one).

And from day 1, lighter rounds didn’t work. I literally stored it for all these years, only taking it out a couple times a year to keep clean and lubed. But just recently, I wanted to sort it out since my friends that I occasionally shoot with want to start learning to shoot longer distances when we go out in the desert. They’re using 308 and 6.5cm, so I’d like to use this for now. It’s got a nice scope so it’s what I’ll have to use.

 

[GUNNER10]

Hmmm. odd, not sure why that barrel would short stroke on M80 type stuff. Have you attempted to give LMT a call? They have always been receptive towards odd issues.

 

[mewillis]

are you shooting Nato rounds as in with the Nato headstamp or just any old 145-147? I always felt they were a little hotter
than commercial 308 but as others have said sounds odd especially an LMT

 

[DBigs]

are you shooting Nato rounds as in with the Nato headstamp or just any old 145-147? I always felt they were a little hotter
than commercial 308 but as others have said sounds odd especially an LMT

This is what I originally ordered. Just wouldn’t cycle. Then I went on to try others and after disappointment, the whole thing went into the safe. Those Federal cartridges were super cheap, so I have a ton of it stocked up but couldn’t use it.

 

[CrabsandFootball]

Something is seriously wrong if it will not cycle factory M80 style ammo. Tear it down, clean it, check all parts and put back together and torque the barrel screws correctly. These guns are gassed VERY liberally, and should cycle everything including underpowered steel case.

Something is fucky. Call LMT and I am 100% sure they will get you squared away.

Why would u wait 7 years to fix something that is a known problem? Reminds me of those people from Dr. Pimple Popper with a nutsacks hanging off their ears and they wait a decade till they are the size of a grapefruit to get them taken care of.

 

[GUNNER10]

Why not give LMT a call?

Something is off and they have a great track record of taking care of their customers

 

[DBigs]

Something is seriously wrong if it will not cycle factory M80 style ammo. Tear it down, clean it, check all parts and put back together and torque the barrel screws correctly. These guns are gassed VERY liberally, and should cycle everything including underpowered steel case.

Something is fucky. Call LMT and I am 100% sure they will get you squared away.

Why would u wait 7 years to fix something that is a known problem? Reminds me of those people from Dr. Pimple Popper with a nutsacks hanging off their ears and they wait a decade till they are the size of a grapefruit to get them taken care of.

Haha. I watch Dr. Pimple Popper!

I guess it just didn’t bother me. After this one didn’t work quite right, I bought a few new rifles back then and just used those instead. I guess I just didn’t care at the time and moved on to newer toys. But now it fills a small need and I figured I’d get it out and tune it up. So yes, 7 years later and I’d like to remove this nutsack from my ear.

But I am going to call LMT and see what suggestions they have. Maybe they can make it easy and just send me some ear nutsack creme to apply.

 

[HornDog87]

I don't know if I missed it, but what kind of mags are you running through your lmt? I've owned lmt, Kac, lwrc repr, my own builds and some tend to prefer a couple mags and then have a hard time running other mags. Might give a couple different mag options a try.

Semper fi
Horner

 

[GUNNER10]

Mostly KAC, but have a stock of Magpuls that work fine. Never really found a reason to look outside Kac or Magpul