FX M3 Feeding Problem

see if you barrel is to far back, loosen up the barrel screw insert the magazine tighten up the barrel set screw

What caliber? The .25 M3 28 round mags were known to be problematic, so FX replaced it with a 25 round mag. I believe it is covered under warranty. If not that, you may have to tighten or loosen the spring. Orion the Iguana hunter has a video on replacing the inside of the magazine that will give you an idea of how to do it.

phm14,

Loading the mag requires tensioning the spring by spinning the inside wheel all the way until it stops before loading pellets. Apologies, if you already knew that, just trying to troubleshoot problem. WM

My M3 .25 is not a smooth loader like my MKII’s were. I can’t even use the 3d printed inserts I got from Orion a while back. I have 2 mags. I can see that there is more of the wheel showing in the path of the probe compared to the other mag that loads a little better. I plan to look into it a little deeper tonight because I’m tired of how it feels.

phm14,

I've heard of guys not being able to insert M3 mags due to opening being pinched by hard strike to gun butt, possibly during shipment. Sounds like yours is the opposite. On Page 10, of General Discussion, kip555 has a thread, "FX Impact Magazine .25 diagram Need Your Help." A member posted a video to disassemble magazine in that thread. I'd try taking the mag apart to see if all parts are there. WM 

Try pulling the mag down slightly after inserting. 

I just fixed my .25. Loads like butter now. Both mags. Still don’t know what caliber the OP’s gun is. I will say this, I’ve had to disassemble 3 out of 3 M3’s to make them right in both .22 and .25. They shot right out of the box but some things were waaaay off. Demand must be causing them to slip up on their initial assembly and fit and finish.

If your mag snaps into place, then it’s lined up with the barrel. Your problem is like mine was. Your probe is snagging on the inner wheel in your mag. I removed my probe and rounded the leading edge of it making sure there was no sharp edges. Use 400 grit paper. Then I slightly beveled the edge of each slot in the wheel in the mag. Nothing crazy, just broke the edges off focusing from the bottom out to the point. Yes, shouldn’t have to do that with a $2k gun but it is what it is. Alternative? Send the gun back. Like I said, they’re getting sloppy. Wait until you check your seating depth and probe/transfer port alignment. You’ll really be pissed.

I've heard of some probes coming from the factory with insufficient bevel like Vetmx describes. A couple other things that can happen. 

The probe set screw can become loose. This is more of a problem in high FPE guns. My .30 just wouldnt stay tight so i replaced the probe holder with the clamp style from K&L. Problem solved. This was causing hangups on the mag wheel like you described and after the upgrade I had no issues even with the tighter Orion wheels. I didn't end up needing to chamfer the wheel slots.

Another factor is that FX is still shipping M3s out with only one alignment pin in the probe holder. You can see this in the aftermarket probe holder install videos. My .22 came with the probe slightly misaligned and rubbing on one side of the barrel. I took it apart and added a second alignment pin. Smooth sailing after that. I cant remember if I had any feeding issues and I may have not even shot it before the fix since I knew what to look for right off the bat.

One last thing to be aware of is that some slugs, especially shorter ones, can feed rougher than longer ones. Pellets are never an issue. This isnt the probe hanging up but may be confused for it.

phm14,

Be very careful with those Veterans, they're like potato chips, you can't just have one! WM