Are you sure you have the cutoff switch in the right position to use the strippers? When first got my 1903A3 I was baffled by the stripper clips my buddy gave me to use. They wuldn't go down past the bolt head.....? So I called him and asked if he gaveme the right strippers because I couldn'y get them in unless I movd the bolt almost out, but then the bolt wants to fall out? Well he explained the full upward position and now my strippers work fine!