Well I just detail stripped the ol girl and gave all the parts a thorough inspection. The pot metal carrier is fully in tact. There`s almost no noticable wear except on the feed ramp and it`s not too bad there. The lifter shows little wear other than shiney spots where the rounds slide over it. Wear is little enough that the rough edge from the stamping is still in tact,just shiney at spots. I smoothed out the rough spots a little with a fine diamond stone while I was in there. I`d replaced the lifter spring a year or so ago so it seemed to have plenty of umph. I did find a little bit if fine grit here and there and cleaned it out. It doesn`t really seem to be any smoother though. The mag tube is undented (I wouldn`t have thought to look at that though) and the spring "feels" okay but that doesn`t mean anything. I think I`ll try replacing it next. If that doesn`t do the trick I`ll admit defeat and have a smith check it out.
Marcus