Gunsmithing Need help with my AICS AX chassis and loading the magazine

[notacos4u]

Ok question for everyone.... I bought a AIAX from my sons buddy who is an armorer in the marines and he put my Remington PSS 308 into it. Now when I go to load the magazine, if the bolt isn’t open, I can’t seat the magazine. If I open the bolt all the way, the mag seats fine, but doesn’t seem to cycle properly, some of the rounds seem to get hung up. what would cause this and how do I fix it? Thanks in advance... btw, just to let you know, I’m a border line a functioning idiot, so be g

 

[Reverie Ranges]

Sounds like Dremel to the rescue. Sounds like there is a problem with height between the receiver and stock causing the mag to put additional pressure on the bolt. I have almost the same setup in pieces on the way; I'll have to watch out for the same problem.

 

[Heretoimproveforhunting]

post up pictures with as few shadows as possible. i think you had some photos in the AI thread on this but because of shadows it was a little difficult to see what you had going on.

 

[notacos4u]

post up pictures with as few shadows as possible. i think you had some photos in the AI thread on this but because of shadows it was a little difficult to see what you had going on.

What exactly would you like me to take pictures of? Are you looking for pictures of the mag well? I will do my best to get the best pictures possible, thanks

 

[Heretoimproveforhunting]

repost your magwell pictures from the other thread, add a photo of the top of your mag to see the feedlips and also try to take a picture through the ejection port with the bolt to the rear with mag inserted and also without the mag. for the latter try to get it from a couple angles to see how the chassis is mating up with the action, and then how the mag is sitting in there.

it may help to see how things are lining up.

without people being able to have it in hand the more pictures the better to try to generate ideas

 

[notacos4u]

Hope these pics help you help me.

 

[notacos4u]

Here’s some more

 

[notacos4u]

repost your magwell pictures from the other thread, add a photo of the top of your mag to see the feedlips and also try to take a picture through the ejection port with the bolt to the rear with mag inserted and also without the mag. for the latter try to get it from a couple angles to see how the chassis is mating up with the action, and then how the mag is sitting in there.

it may help to see how things are lining up.

without people being able to have it in hand the more pictures the better to try to generate ideas

I appreciate any and all help, thanks....

 

[notacos4u]

And the final 6....if there’s something else anyone needs a pic of or different angle, please let me know, thanks

 

[Reverie Ranges]

Mag look like it could use some love. Likely out of tolerance from manufacturer specs. I recommend taking it apart, cleaning and bending back to proper form.

 

[Praeger]

Try seating the magazine, then pressing the mag release catch and let the mag drop a tiny amount. The pressure of the mag latch should still hold the magazine in place. Now see if you can close the bolt without any drag. It may be that latch is holding the magazine too high. If so, that's an easy fix to file the tip of the latch to provide just enough relief for the mag to sit at the proper height.

Better yet, send the rifle and magazine back to the USMC Armorer who built it and explain the issue. No doubt he has access to other magazines to try and should be familiar with magazine fitment.

 

[Heretoimproveforhunting]

tacos - praeger may be on to something, but before you start filing i would do as two others suggested and borrow or buy a new mag to try. the one you have is beat up pretty good. it could be the fotos, but the feed lips look like theyve been moved around a bit. if a new mag doesnt fit, then id start to think about other parts / filing etc.

hate to see you file a part and have to replace it when all it needed was a mag or aomething.

as praeger said, surely the armorer can fix it

 

[notacos4u]

tacos - praeger may be on to something, but before you start filing i would do as two others suggested and borrow or buy a new mag to try. the one you have is beat up pretty good. it could be the fotos, but the feed lips look like theyve been moved around a bit. if a new mag doesnt fit, then id start to think about other parts / filing etc.

hate to see you file a part and have to replace it when all it needed was a mag or aomething.

as praeger said, surely the armorer can fix it

I've got magpul mags as well, they do the same thing, or should I just buy another AICS magazine and see if that works?

 

[Heretoimproveforhunting]

i missed the part about magpul. i dont have any personal experience with those. when he put your action into it was it running smothely before you brought it home? ive had a couple of AI chasis and never had a problem with any not just dropping in and running. but that doesnt mesn it cant happen. i would think the armorer could get you fixed up.

 

[notacos4u]

Try seating the magazine, then pressing the mag release catch and let the mag drop a tiny amount. The pressure of the mag latch should still hold the magazine in place. Now see if you can close the bolt without any drag. It may be that latch is holding the magazine too high. If so, that's an easy fix to file the tip of the latch to provide just enough relief for the mag to sit at the proper height.

Better yet, send the rifle and magazine back to the USMC Armorer who built it and explain the issue. No doubt he has access to other magazines to try and should be familiar with magazine fitment.

I will try what you said and report back, but I definitely think I will be bringing it back to him for him to fix if that's the case. Plus there's other things I need to address in regards to this stock, as I was originally led to believe it was a AICS MK13 MOD7, I know I know that's a long action chassis, and come to find out, no its a pre-14 AX, but that's a whole nother story that needs to be addressed. Thanks

 

[notacos4u]

i missed the part about magpul. i dont have any personal experience with those. when he put your action into it was it running smothely before you brought it home? ive had a couple of AI chasis and never had a problem with any not just dropping in and running. but that doesnt mesn it cant happen. i would think the armorer could get you fixed up.

My son who is good friends with the kid brought it home to me, I never got to check it out till I received it, and that's when I brought it up to him. He sent it with the magpul mag, but he later sent me the AICS mag and I let him know it was still having the same problem.

 

[notacos4u]

i missed the part about magpul. i dont have any personal experience with those. when he put your action into it was it running smothely before you brought it home? ive had a couple of AI chasis and never had a problem with any not just dropping in and running. but that doesnt mesn it cant happen. i would think the armorer could get you fixed up.

Is it hard to take the action out of the chassis and reinstall? I've never done it before, and don't want to take it apart and be like, oh no what have I done.

 

[spife7980]

Is it hard to take the action out of the chassis and reinstall? I've never done it before, and don't want to take it apart and be like, oh no what have I done.

Nope, just a two bolts.

 

[notacos4u]

Try seating the magazine, then pressing the mag release catch and let the mag drop a tiny amount. The pressure of the mag latch should still hold the magazine in place. Now see if you can close the bolt without any drag. It may be that latch is holding the magazine too high. If so, that's an easy fix to file the tip of the latch to provide just enough relief for the mag to sit at the proper height.

Better yet, send the rifle and magazine back to the USMC Armorer who built it and explain the issue. No doubt he has access to other magazines to try and should be familiar with magazine fitment.

well that didn’t work, magazine just falls right out, no matter how lightly I press on the the mag release. Looks like my son needs to talk to his “buddy”!!!!

 

[skipjack]

I wonder if the recoil lug is twisted a little bit and is causing the problems. I know mine was when I put it in my ax and it gave me fits until I realized it. Might be something to look at. Also that magazine sure doesn’t look good. The feed lips look to straight to me. As for the magpul I haven’t used them in my chassis. Put I do know the are thicker in the lip and might need to be modified to work. Don’t know for sure myself but I do know in another chassis from a different manufacturer this is the case.

 

[notacos4u]

I wonder if the recoil lug is twisted a little bit and is causing the problems. I know mine was when I put it in my ax and it gave me fits until I realized it. Might be something to look at.

I have to get the correct Allen key bit for my torque driver and I was going to take it apart and reseat it and see if that correct the issue, hopefully it does because I’m super aggravated over this and the price I paid, I guess this is what you get when you try to help someone out falling on tough times.... I appreciate everyones help trying to help me figure out the issue.

 

[skipjack]

I have to get the correct Allen key bit for my torque driver and I was going to take it apart and reseat it and see if that correct the issue, hopefully it does because I’m super aggravated over this and the price I paid, I guess this is what you get when you try to help someone out falling on tough times.... I appreciate everyones help trying to help me figure out the issue.

It’s metric just to let you know. Two different sizes. There is I want to say 14 screws. 2 action 2 cover and 10 for the forarm. If it’s pre14 ax.

 

[notacos4u]

It’s metric just to let you know. Two different sizes. There is I want to say 14 screws. 2 action 2 cover and 10 for the forarm. If it’s pre14 ax.

Do you know what the sizes are? I believe it is, based on what others here have informed me, although I was originally told it was a mk13 mod 7 by the guy I bought it from.... I was pretty sure a short action wouldn’t fit in a long action chassis, but he’s a marine armorer, so I figured he knew a lot more than I did.... just smh

 

[skipjack]

4mm for the two on the cover. And 3mm for the others. 3/16 for the action.

 

[skipjack]

This is the long action pre14. Pretty much the mk13 mod7 minus the short forearm and color. They might have went to the post14 two bolt forearm mounting too. I’m not sure though.

 

[skipjack]

For future reference.

 

[notacos4u]

4mm for the two on the cover. And 3mm for the others. 3/16 for the action.

When I get these off, what should I torque them back to, and what should I torque the action bolts to? Also, is there anything special I should be looking for or doing as I reset the action in the chassis? I know I saw some videos where they kind of dropped it lightly on the butt stock, anything other than that?

 

[notacos4u]

For future reference.

Oh no, the funny thing is, when the “MK13 mod7” was offered to me, they sent me pretty much the same exact photo, except from mile high shooting with the price of it... I questioned being able to mount my 700 in it because it says it’s a 300 win and I new it was a long action, but having never had a chassis before, I didn’t know what could or couldn’t be done and was told oh no, he can mount it up in like 15 minutes

 

[skipjack]

Just seat it back like what you saw. I just push it back myself. I do around 20inch pounds on the ten. Pretty much the same on the two for the cover. Action wise, 45 to 65 for me. I have been running 60. You will need to retorque after about 40 to 50 shots. Or your first range trip. Just the action to make sure she’s good. After that you are good to go. Like I said before I personally think it’s a magazine issue. Might be the lug but most likely magazine. Some chassis do not like magpul magazines that have not been modified “ thinning of the feed lips”. And that a.i. Magazine in your picture looks like it’s seen better days.

 

[skipjack]

Oh no, the funny thing is, when the “MK13 mod7” was offered to me, they sent me pretty much the same exact photo, except from mile high shooting with the price of it... I questioned being able to mount my 700 in it because it says it’s a 300 win and I new it was a long action, but having never had a chassis before, I didn’t know what could or couldn’t be done and was told oh no, he can mount it up in like 15 minutes

I would be interested in your “”mk13” chassis. It would look good sitting next to my 300. Yeah as far as I no you cannot put any short action in a stock or chassis that was for a long action. Doesn’t mater the brand.

 

[notacos4u]

I would be interested in your “”mk13” chassis. It would look good sitting next to my 300. Yeah as far as I no you cannot put any short action in a stock or chassis that was for a long action. Doesn’t mater the brand.

here’s my “MK13” lol.... not being all tan was the first clue

 

[DOA]

There seems to be two different stocks. One fr long action and one for short action. I don't believe they are interchangeable.

Available in Long and Short Action:

Short Action MK II Chassis 26712

Long Action MK II Chassis 26713

 

[skipjack]

here’s my “MK13” lol.... not being all tan was the first clue

That and sorry to say short action. All kidding aside I hope you get it figured out. I like mine and will be keeping a eye out for a short action .

 

[Praeger]

well that didn’t work, magazine just falls right out, no matter how lightly I press on the the mag release. Looks like my son needs to talk to his “buddy”!!!!

I know you tried a PMAG, but looking at this photo you sent (as others have pointed out) makes me think it's the magazine. I dropped two vertical lines from the top of the feed lip. See how much more curved the left feed lip is versus the right? Bottom photo is from MHSS of AICS magazine. The feed lips are symmetrical.

If you could get hold of another AICS magazine, that might be the answer.

 

[notacos4u]

I am in the process of buying a new magazine so I can rule that possibility out. I appreciate your help

I know you tried a PMAG, but looking at this photo you sent (as others have pointed out) makes me think it's the magazine. I dropped two vertical lines from the top of the feed lip. See how much more curved the left feed lip is versus the right? Bottom photo is from MHSS of AICS magazine. The feed lips are symmetrical.

If you could get hold of another AICS magazine, that might be the answer.
View attachment 7255299
View attachment 7255301

 

[johnnycat]

I'm interested in what a newer AI mag will do. I've had similar seating issues with various mags in the past. Not with the AI set up you are using, but other stocks/chassis.

Really off-topic - you have a big jug of garlic and bbq stuff in the background. Can you recommend a chicken rub?

 

[notacos4u]

I'm interested in what a newer AI mag will do. I've had similar seating issues with various mags in the past. Not with the AI set up you are using, but other stocks/chassis.

Really off-topic - you have a big jug of garlic and bbq stuff in the background. Can you recommend a chicken rub?

Yes I do, I do competition BBQ and we have 6 Grand Championships over the last 2 years and are ranked 20th in the world for ribs. If you want a killer chicken rub, I recommend Oakridge Rubs, use their Dominator and Secret Weapon rubs. They are all micro processed and made fresh batches. Their rubs really go a long way and remain fresh unlike a lot of commodity rubs you buy in the store. You can only buy them online, but they are amazing.

 

[pabrousseau]

try bending the feed lips in a small amount. sometimes these need to be tweeked a little bit.

 

[6brshooter]

I'm gonna say your mag is at fault. Not locking in unless bolt is opened mean mag lips are hitting the bolt body. If you had a pristine perfect mag, I'd say shorten mag release to lower mag height a little. That old mag is beat to shit, one lip is is almost straight and the other is bent far over. You did order the correct ax aics specific mag, right?

 

[6brshooter]

.

 

[notacos4u]

I'm gonna say your mag is at fault. Not locking in unless bolt is opened mean mag lips are hitting the bolt body. If you had a pristine perfect mag, I'd say shorten mag release to lower mag height a little. That old mag is beat to shit, one lip is is almost straight and the other is bent far over. You did order the correct ax aics specific mag, right?

The kid sent the mag up with my son when he came back for Christmas exodus... I just ordered new one to check that before I go any further, now just need to wait till it comes in and hopefully it’s the mag he gave me That’s the issue. When I picked up the rifle from him originally, he gave me a Magpul mag, but I had a couple of rifles I was picking up from him, so didn’t go over the aics chassis as well as I should have. I bought a rifle from him that shoots lights out and he was also swapping out a trigger for me on a different rifle, so I didn’t really worry about the aics because the other two worked great after he worked on them.

 

[M8541Reaper]

Well it’s good to know the armorer isn’t selling off issued MK13 chassis systems that are spares for SSPs. Otherwise, you would have been publicly outing him and your son, which would have been bad for all involved.

I hope you get it all squared away man. Definitely sucks that you’re having these problems.

 

[6brshooter]

Ax chassis on an impact and origin action. Dropped in and I'm actually using standard aics mags, not the ax aics mags. I'm putting money on that mag. Can you insert and lock mag in, then push bolt forward until it binds or drags? I'd like to see a pic of that, to see which lip its hitting.

 

[notacos4u]

Well it’s good to know the armorer isn’t selling off issued MK13 chassis systems that are spares for SSPs. Otherwise, you would have been publicly outing him and your son, which would have been bad for all involved.

I hope you get it all squared away man. Definitely sucks that you’re having these problems.

Yeah, definitely not doing that!!! I’ve already talked to him about getting caught up in stuff like that and don’t be stupid no matter what. Im active duty myself , so I know all about the easy lure.... not worth losing your career over for a few bucks

 

[notacos4u]

View attachment 7256220
Ax chassis on an impact and origin action. Dropped in and I'm actually using standard aics mags, not the ax aics mags. I'm putting money on that mag. Can you insert and lock mag in, then push bolt forward until it binds or drags? I'd like to see a pic of that, to see which lip its hitting.

here are pics with the mag in and where I just start to feel drag on the bolt and mag. I just ordered a brand new mag, 6852, which is the one people have told me I need as well as what EuroOptic shows as the correct one.

 

[6brshooter]

Almost looks like the edge of feed lip is gouged by bolt, just in front of bolt head.

 

[hafejd30]

I’d try bending the feed lips in/down a bit. Have had to do to several AI mags to make them function correctly

 

[notacos4u]

View attachment 7256317
Almost looks like the edge of feed lip is gouged by bolt, just in front of bolt head.

When I get home, I will see if it is... you have some amazing eyes, I would have never seen that and I have it in person, but I have exactly no idea what to look for either

 

[6brshooter]

That's also the feed lip that is bent over closer to centerline of mag. Which would put it in contact with bolt body. It could also be damage from a drop too, but it looks in line with bolt body.