[Newly Converted S12 FTE]

Driver is probably right about the hammer. Does the buffer lead to FTE's? That is up for debate. What there does seem to be is a consensus on is that the twisterpuck causes you to lose some gas. Change or reprofile your hammer and you should be good. You definatly need to put more high brass through it. Try the aftermarket plug and spring without the twisterpuck.

 

Read on Tromix a few minutes ago that recoil buffers shouldn't be used, because they can stop the bolt carrier from going all the way back to the end of the receiver. That's one combo I didn't try, gas plug, factory puck, and lighter recoil spring. I'll change out the hammer to the factory one in a few minutes, or tomorrow morning. The factory hammer is OK right? I'll stock up on some high-brass in a couple paychecks. This puppy won't be a safe queen.

[Newly Converted S12 FTE]

Thought about that. I was thinking the Tapco hammer was shaped different, or somehow made it more difficult for the bolt/bolt carrier to move backwards. Is the factory Russian hammer compatible with the new Tapco FCG?

[Newly Converted S12 FTE]

So I just finished my conversion, and might I say, I did a damn good job. She looks great. Before I converted her, I only ran 9 rounds through her pipe, all low-brass Federal bulk ammo. It functioned flawlessly. I figured I'd get the low-brass reliability kit from CSS, which consists of a lighter recoil spring, E-tac Twister Puck, and a Gunfixers Gas Knob to make sure I could still shoot low-brass. Also picked up a recoil buffer, amongst some other furniture and whatnot.

 

Here's the problem. I made sure the gas knob was on it's highest gas flow setting, which is 3. I installed the lighter recoil spring. Used the factory magazine. The gas puck was inserted where "GO GUN USA" is facing towards me. Should cycle low-brass right? No. All I get are FTEs. I tried taking out the recoil buffer, and the same thing. Then I put the factory puck and gas knob back in, to no effect. I don't see how anything was changed during the conversion, other than moving the FCG. It does not cycle with the factory parts, nor the after market ones. I cut, and then tapped out the rear sight to make room for some bolt on tactical sights a couple days ago... could I have cracked or broken anything there? I did have to use a bit of force, but everything still seems solid. What do I do?

 

I disassembled, cleaned, oiled in the right places. (No excessive oil on or around the gas puck.) I intend to do more testing and troubleshooting tomorrow.

There are 3, possibly 4 gas port holes on my gun.

It cycles buckshot and nitrosteel magnum 2 3/4" shells cleanly, with both factory and after market parts. (With factory spring, both gas knobs on the lowest setting, and with/without the recoil buffer.)

I found out that recoil buffers lead to FTEs, so I'm gonna take it out for now.

Absolutely any suggestions, comments, or criticism are appreciated. I know I should have probably left most of the factory parts the way they were. They worked fine before the conversion, and after, it doesn't work, even after I switched back from the after market stuff. Please help. Thanks.