Versa Max Dual Load Issue

[Zmego]

I just purchased a VM tactical. I am prepping this gun for a match in a few weeks and so far I have opened the loading port, had the lifter welded, and got a new Nordic tube and spring. However, when I try and throw two shells in at once, it is a pain in the ass. The first goes in great until it gets to the shell feed latch the the resistance starts. The second shell (the one stacked right behind the first) has an even harder time. When I dual load my JM Pro, it is like butter...10 rounds in the tube without resistance or hesitation.

Any ideas? I know the magazine isn't binding in the tube, all the resistance is coming from the brass on the shell and the catch just as it goes into the mag tube. Any ideas on how to fix it? If not, I have VM for sale with all the mods listed above.

[MarkCO]

On many, the shell latch has to be bent quite a bit so that the shells can go into the magazine. The simple solution is a small radius of the shell latch. But just a little at a time.

[Zmego]

What do you mean the simple solution is a small radius? Do you mean take material off?

[HadleyOwens]

Also remove the small inner spring on the latch as well...try this first but, Mark is right, the edge of the shell latch needs a little massaging to make it "like butter".

[Therealkoop]

I had similar issues. I bent my shell latch, but then had issues with the shell release not working. Ended up putting a small radius on the end of the shell latch that contacts the shell while its in the magazine and it cleared up.

[Magsz]

Got any pictures showing this radius?

[JPeel]

Got any pictures showing this radius?

I can post one later.

I had the chance to side by side compare my gun to one worked by 303 Arms and saw where the latch on the 303 gun was radiused to match the radius on the follower. The 303 gun was a lot easier to load than mine. I took my shell latch and slowly ground it to more closely match the radius of the follower without changing the angle on the trailing edge. Once I got it right, the shells no longer require that extra force to get past the latch.

[fiddler]

There are pics in this thread: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=155631&page=1

[JPeel]

Here's the photo of the 303 Arms worked gun. Note how the bottom "lip" on the shell latch matches the radius of the follower.

[Moltke]

Until you get your stuff figured out with the Vmax, probably should plan to use the gun you know works... and that you can load.

[jjman15]

My VMAX is the same way... i'll be watching this thread. I did polish the shell latch, open up the two "U" notches a little, and changed to a nordic spring and that helped out the loading alot however the latch is still real stiff to get a shell to click past. I did not radius the edge of the lower shell latch "lip" to match the radius on the follower but I did polish it up, this may be my next step. I'll probably order another shell latch from REM so I have a back-up before I bring it past the point of no return and shells just shoot into the reciever freely.

I love my VMAX tactical but it has to be one of the stiffest loading guns out of the box that i've ever felt. Good thing I love getting my hands dirty.

[MarkCO]

You probably do need to radius the shell latch if your VM is hard to load. But again, just a bit at a time. I only have seen two people go too far, but it does end up in a "mag dump" and lead shells don't really feel good on the toes. I have only worked on one so far that did not need to have a little shell latch work to aid in loading.

[Zmego]

Yeterday I tried bending my shell catch a little (not sure of it even moved). Then I decided to remove the inner spring and add the little radius everyone is talking about. After all that...I am almost happy with it how it loads. Still not as smooth as my JM, but everything else about it is better so I supposed I will keep it....for now.

I am floored at how much has to be done to this gun to make it ready for a match. My JM Pro was way more ready out if the box.

[MarkCO]

Maybe, but once it is ready, it is such a joy to shoot!

[Zmego]

Maybe, but once it is ready, it is such a joy to shoot!

I put 150 rounds though it yesterday, and it ran 5 different boxes of low brass low recoil shells like a champ. It didn't have any issues (to be expected). It was soft, but the JM is gas operated as well so I couldn't tell a huge difference. The only reason I decided to switch from my JM to a VM is because I am playing the long game. I believe that as my shooting career progresses the VM has the potential to be more reliable that my JM.

[JPeel]

My VMAX is the same way... i'll be watching this thread. I did polish the shell latch, open up the two "U" notches a little, and changed to a nordic spring and that helped out the loading alot however the latch is still real stiff to get a shell to click past. I did not radius the edge of the lower shell latch "lip" to match the radius on the follower but I did polish it up, this may be my next step. I'll probably order another shell latch from REM so I have a back-up before I bring it past the point of no return and shells just shoot into the reciever freely.

I love my VMAX tactical but it has to be one of the stiffest loading guns out of the box that i've ever felt. Good thing I love getting my hands dirty.

Once you get the shell latch right it's amazing!