FAILURE to Load // BENT feed Lips!!!

Published on June 19, 2018
Duration: 2:19

This video addresses persistent 'Failure to Load' (FTL) issues in firearms, moving beyond common causes like recoil springs and handload crimping. The instructor, experiencing FTLs throughout a season, identifies bent feed lips on a magazine as a critical, often overlooked, cause. The content emphasizes visual inspection of magazines and suggests repurposing damaged magazines for malfunction drills.

Quick Summary

Bent magazine feed lips are a common but often overlooked cause of firearm failures to load (FTLs). Inspect your magazines for any outward bending on the feed lips, as this can impede smooth ammunition feeding. Damaged magazines can be repurposed for malfunction practice to improve clearing skills.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Firearm Failures
  2. 00:12Common Causes of FTLs
  3. 00:34The Importance of Checking Magazines
  4. 00:55Discovering Bent Feed Lips
  5. 01:18Visualizing a Good vs. Damaged Magazine
  6. 01:36Impact of Bent Feed Lips
  7. 01:54Repurposing Damaged Magazines
  8. 02:09Conclusion and Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common causes of firearm failures to load (FTLs)?

Common causes of FTLs include worn recoil springs, improper handload crimping, and damaged magazines. This video specifically highlights bent feed lips on magazines as a critical, often overlooked, factor contributing to feeding issues.

How can I identify if my magazine feed lips are bent?

Inspect your magazines closely, comparing them to a known good magazine. Look for any outward bending or deformation on the feed lips, especially if it's more pronounced on one side. A slight outward bend can significantly impact feeding reliability.

Can bent magazine feed lips cause feeding problems?

Yes, bent feed lips can absolutely cause feeding problems. When the lips are deformed, they can prevent ammunition from feeding smoothly up the magazine and into the firearm's chamber, leading to failures to load (FTLs).

What should I do with a magazine that has bent feed lips?

While bent feed lips often render a magazine unreliable for primary use, you can repurpose it for malfunction practice. Holding onto such magazines allows you to reliably induce failures, which is beneficial for training and improving your ability to clear malfunctions.

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