Gunsmithing What Mag to use in GAP Tempest S/A?

[Jimmy D in AK]

I bought a used GAP Tempest actioned Rifle in 6.5CM. The AI Mag that came with it (not sure of the model but it’s a double stack 10rd) doesn’t feed well (spring is weak although it’s new) the follower prevents it from closing empty (like an auto loader does on an empty mag). I only shot the thing in F-Class so single feeding it wasn’t an issue.

I’ve left several messages with GA Precision but no call back.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

The AW magazine that came with your Tempest is what it was designed to work with. The spring in them isn't as strong as an AICS magazine by design, but I have never had feed issues with any of mine other than a bent feed lip. What kind of feed issues are you using? Note that a standard AICS magazine will *NOT* fit a Tempest, as the bolt will hit the feed lips.

You can fix the problem with the bolt closing my cutting a small ramp or notch off of the taller side of the follower (at the back of the follower) so the bolt face can easily push the follower down on an empty mag. It takes about 30 seconds with a sharp pocket knife to do it. If need be, I can post a photo tonight when I get home of what you need to do.

 

[Jimmy D in AK]

Hey Hollywood,

Thanks for the reply- the Rifle didn’t come with with a Mag and evidently I’ve bought the wrong one. Thank you for your guidance on this.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

Hey Hollywood,

Thanks for the reply- the Rifle didn’t come with with a Mag and evidently I’ve bought the wrong one. Thank you for your guidance on this.

Sounds like you bought the *right* one, not wrong. Look at this thread, you should have an Artic Warfare (AW) magazine, which is a 10 round, double stack/double feed (DSSF) magazine. If you had anything else, you wouldn't be able to close the bolt with the magazine installed - loaded or otherwise. Having the bolt stopped by the follower (NOT the feed lips) is normal for an unmodified AW magazine.

If it's not feeding from the magazine, can you describe HOW it isn't feeding? The one mag I had that I bent a feed lip on, my Tempest won't pick up a round from the left side of the magazine sometimes, as the back of the case sits too low to pick up.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

I will also add that, depending on your bottom metal, you may need a different magazine latch/catch. The AW mag needs to sit up a smidge higher than a standard AICS magazine to feed properly. What chassis/stock/bottom metal are you running?

 

[Jimmy D in AK]

I will also add that, depending on your bottom metal, you may need a different magazine latch/catch. The AW mag needs to sit up a smidge higher than a standard AICS magazine to feed properly. What chassis/stock/bottom metal are you running?

J Allen JAE 700

 

[Jimmy D in AK]

It picks up sometimes... sometimes it doesn’t (like the spring is too weak)

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

It picks up sometimes... sometimes it doesn’t (like the spring is too weak)

It's almost certainly an issue with either a feed lip or the mag height. Does it only have issues on one side of the magazine? Does the JAE adjust for magazine catch height? If not, you might want to call and see if they suggest a taller mag catch for AW mags.

 

[Supersubes]

It picks up sometimes... sometimes it doesn’t (like the spring is too weak)

It’s already been said, but aw mags are what you want, and consequently what everyone would ideally like to use if they could.

The bolt stop is a designed in feature, which can be circumvented as described above.

The AW mag with with a proper 3 lug action is supposed to offer comparatively massive purchase on the cartridge case for very reliable feeding. Sounds like yours is riding low in the chassis to me. Contacting Jae for a longer mag catch is probably in order like Hollywood said.

I dont think the spring is your issue at all, but if it is, it can likely be warranty repaired/replaced by one of the AI distributors.

 

[Hollywood 6mm]

It’s already been said, but aw mags are what you want, and consequently what everyone would ideally like to use if they could.

The bolt stop is a designed in feature, which can be circumvented as described above.

The AW mag with with a proper 3 lug action is supposed to offer comparatively massive purchase on the cartridge case for very reliable feeding. Sounds like yours is riding low in the chassis to me. Contacting Jae for a longer mag catch is probably in order like Hollywood said.

I dont think the spring is your issue at all, but if it is, it can likely be warranty repaired/replaced by one of the AI distributors.

I'll add that AW mags don't *need* the level of spring tension in typical Double stack/Single Feed (DSSF) magazines, as the spring doesn't have to force the double stack or staggered column of cases down to a single column. That recuction from 2/1.5 stacks to 1 induces a lot of friction, and the spring is the only thing that is acting to overcome it. In semi/full autos, you need spring tension to ensure feed rates for the ammo meet or exceed the cyclic rate of the firearm - something that isn't an issue for a bolt action.