Jump to content
308AR.com Community
  • Visit Aero Precision
  • Visit Brownells
  • Visit EuroOptic
  • Visit Site
  • Visit Beachin Tactical
  • Visit Rainier Arms
  • Visit Ballistic Advantage
  • Visit Palmetto State Armory
  • Visit Cabelas
  • Visit Sportsmans Guide

Palmetto PA-10 failure to eject


W.E.G.

Recommended Posts

2 minutes ago, jtallen83 said:

I should have been clearer, referring to the extractor spring. On a couple occasions I have seen an Armalite extractor spring, same as the Fulton, fix an ejection issue. It would be a cheap and simple fix if it worked. If I remember correctly it was a double spring that was replaced.

Thank you for that suggestion. I may give that a try as opportunity presents.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 216
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

Can you try a .223 or 5.56 cartridge against the extractor; or compare an extractor from an AR-15? That still looks like the wrong component entirely. 

I had a much worse situation with an o-ring under compression; but for different reasons. That video I linked earlier talks about testing ejection with the bolt or BCG in your hand. Feeling it out is the way I test that kind of thing. Not sure what your goals are here; but you are well on your way no matter what.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Everyone else here has great experience and thoughts on this matter; I hope you don't regret fixing your gas tube. I neglected to mark the angles of the front and back of the ejector lips; but those are also very much suspect too. Hope this makes sense, or helps along the way. 

Screen shot 2019-03-14 at 10.30.47 PM.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It sounds like the Fulton is using the same system as Armalite with a spring and a synthetic spacer inside it. I would just pickup a Fulton bolt, put it in, and hopefully not have to mess with any thing for 5,000 rounds or so.

Edited by Sisco
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, Sisco said:

It sounds like the Fulton is using the same system as Armalite with a spring and a synthetic spacer inside it. 

For many, many years, Fulton Armory went directly off the DPMS specs - DPMS even made their receivers.  They've changed over on their barrels, now, to the Armalite AR-10 spec on gas port length.  Fulton has never messed up gas port diameter, ever.  They nail it.  My original Fulton chromed BCG from 2010 has that same extractor setup in it.  It's always been flawless. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

15 minutes ago, 98Z5V said:

Looks like PSA is using a proprietary extractor, then, if it's indeed smaller?  That would mean they have a different bolt, as well.

Can your larger extractor (Fulton, that worked) actually fit in the PSA bolt?

The diameter of each extractor at the axis pin is identical. I haven't actually cross-installed them to confirm that one can go in the other bolt. Rifles are locked up now, so will have to get around to that test another time.

I have a Fulton extractor and spring and extractor-buffer on order. Probably will see how that shakes out when the order arrives.

Edited by W.E.G.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

26 minutes ago, 98Z5V said:

That top spring is significantly smaller in diameter than the Fulton spring, below it.  That O-ring is even smaller, ID.

Thank you sir. I am pretty sure that will fix at least one of my builds around here. I didn't realize my spring was different in that case. I'll check everything I have once I'm ready to get dirty. Much appreciated as always.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Little bit of updated on the PA-10 project.

Cutting straight to the chase, note the difference in how much the tail-end of the extractor stands proud (or doesn't stand proud) of the Palmetto extractor vs. the Fulton extractor.

The two pics that follow show the relative stand-proudness of the two extractors when installed in the Palmetto bolt, but WITHOUT the extractor axis-pin installed.

 

PALMETTO (weak stand-proud)

1%20-%20Palmetto%20bolt%20-%20Palmetto%2

 

 

FULTON (proud stand-proud)

2%20-%20Palmetto%20bolt%20-%20Fulton%20e

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think that pretty much seals the deal as far as the verdict on the Palmetto extractor spring being inadequate. The jury is still out on the issue of whether the claw of the extactor itself being 0.020" narrower than the Fulton claw as to inadequacy. I may get around to experimenting with the Fulton spring  and polymer insert with the narrow Palmetto claw. But, I'd prefer to have the wider claw, and let that just be that. Why have less claw when more is available? If I'm attacked by one of the really big squirrels, I don't want some nagging concern about having saved a few bucks on an extractor. It works "most of the time," right?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Probably range-trip Wednesday.

Expecting another Fulton Armory 15.5" gas tube to arrive tomorrow.

Plan is install the 15.5" tube in the original non-adjustable Palmetto gas block, and see how things function with the modified Palmetto bolt (Fulton extractor assembly added), versus the full Fulton bolt assembly.

I suspect this failure-to-extract issue is going to turn out to be all about the inadequate springs in the original Palmetto extractor.

I plan to keep the 15.5" gas tube installed in the gun no matter what. Again, why settle for an unnecessarily-short gas tube when a longer tube is available. The short tube should work "most of the time," right?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Regarding the EJECTOR, I want to note that when the Palmetto bolt in its factory-configuration did actually eject brass, the brass landed in the same place that the Fulton bolt deposited it.

The Palmetto EJECTOR spring seems very strong, and seems comparable in strength to the Fulton bolt. I perceive no binding/roughness in the movement of the Palmetto ejector. I cannot depress it with my fingernail using my bare hand. I can only depress it using a tool, or using a cartridge casing levered under the lip of of the extractor.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From the look of it, the Palmetto extractor spring looks highly questionable.

The proof is always in performance.

Testing the Palmetto bolt with Fulton spring AND extractor Wednesday. 

Not planning on testing narrow-claw Palmetto extractor further if Fulton extractor and spring together run 100%.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...