New to the Galil with some questions

[K2enemy]

Hi guys, like the subject says, I'm brand new to the site and to the Galil/Golani weapon system. I knew better, but I bought a CAI Golani and was happy at first with the fit and finish -minus some obvious spray paint. The barrel is installed correctly, the dust cover won't budge and the front sight is straight. The mags wobble a bit, but that doesn't bother me and it doesn't have a a FTF issue. I have only shot it once and was extremely disappointed. During about 150rnds it jammed maybe 1/4 of the time. In my experience this was due to either a small gas port or a too stiff recoil spring, or ammo. I can't exactly measure my gas port, but I can get a drill bit that measures .062'' in the port, but a drill bit that measures .072'' won't go in. I found a few sources that said the gas port should be .070''. All of my jams were due to failure to eject, not feed or extract (the extractor isn't welded and seems to be doing it's job). Most of the jams were stove pipes. Most of the brass was thrown 15ft or so to the 1 o'clock position, but when it would jam it either just kind of fell out or only made it a 2-3ft followed by the jam. When I got home I tore it down and noticed a wear mark on the bolt groove, like a pretty large high spot that could have been binding the bolt. I'm pretty sure repeated firing will wear the spot down. At this point the rifle isn't broken in, but since I don't know much about this weapon I'm wondering if I should go ahead and make some changes.

Sorry for being so long winded. So, before I send it off somewhere, should I:
A) Drill the gas port to .070" or something just over .070''?
B) Try to get a lighter recoil spring?
C) Try different ammo? I was using Winchester Q3131 5.56mm. I know ammo plays a part, but I would assume the piston system would be more tolerant of various ammo.

I know Tenngalil is on here and it was suggested I send it to him by guys at ar15.com, but I got furloughed at work and really don't have the funds to ship it off and pay to have someone fix it at this point, though if Jeff wants to chime in that'd be awesome .

 

[davekr]

I sent mine back to Century when it was failing to eject. They fixed it but I don't know what they did.

 

[jehu]

:boohoo

 

[LRS Guy]

I'd make Century fix it (assuming its under warranty) they built it. They should back what they sell. Though may be quicker to fix yourself.

 

[Lashlarue]

Mine went back with a warped top cover,and the bolt was riding over the ejector.It helps if you have a nephew who is an attorney, and cc's to him went on every communication.It was returned in less than three weeks and looks as good as some of the real ones I've seen. Besides the obvious problems they polished the chamber.I have headspace gauges and headspace was right on.

 

[1080Rider]

Love your screen name...

I had some of the same issues when I bought mine. I took it back to the dealer (per Century's instructions) and they had a look. It ended up that I got some shitty ammo and the jacket was bending when being fed. It was pretty crazy. Since then I've been shooting remington 55grn or Federal arms 55 and have only had one problem. It was on a very cold day and it was w/ the crappier of the two mag's they sent me. I also ordered two tapco mag's that fit a lot better and function better than the steel mags my rifle came w/. I would say work w/ it a little and if the problems persist send it back (or maybe your dealer will look at it for you- mine did).

Good luck, once you've got it ironed out you'll love your rifle. I love mine!

 

[K2enemy]

Love your screen name...

I had some of the same issues when I bought mine. I took it back to the dealer (per Century's instructions) and they had a look. It ended up that I got some shitty ammo and the jacket was bending when being fed. It was pretty crazy. Since then I've been shooting remington 55grn or Federal arms 55 and have only had one problem. It was on a very cold day and it was w/ the crappier of the two mag's they sent me. I also ordered two tapco mag's that fit a lot better and function better than the steel mags my rifle came w/. I would say work w/ it a little and if the problems persist send it back (or maybe your dealer will look at it for you- mine did).

Good luck, once you've got it ironed out you'll love your rifle. I love mine!

Thanks 1080rider...I've used the same name since I got the skis years ago. I'm going to try some different ammo before I do anything. I went ahead and got a .070 drill bit from Fastenal and it seemed to drop rght in, but it produced alot of powdery stuff which ended up being excess parkerizing, which I've read is a god thing to get out. I ovaled the gas port out just a tad and I'm going to try some different ammo tomorrow.

 

[1080Rider]

Ha, ha, same w/ me. Don't even have any soli skis anymore but its still my default user name...

 

[kargo27]

K2, is your receiver marked 5.56 or .223?

Before doing anything, I would try those different loads and see if one functions better than the other.

 

[K2enemy]

I went and shot the other day and ran into one of the gunsmiths from Alexander Arms who was testing 2 .50 Beowulf uppers and a 6.5 Grendel upper. Long story short, I got to shoot about 35rnds of .50 Beowulf and 30 rnds of 6.5 Grendel. That was sweet, and he wanted to shoot my Galil. It shoots steel cased .223 like a champ, but doesn't like 5.56. He brought up the chrome lining in the chamber. I suppose the extractor might not like brass, but will throw steel and the chamber could be tight. I'm going to clean out the chamber for any phosphate coating or have it reamed out for 5.56. The receiver is marked .223. I'm going to call Tenngalil in a few.