52-2 Magazine Tuning

[Jeff423]

I have an unusual (I think) problem with two magazines for my 52-2. When trying to load them it is very hard to load rounds 4&5. (the last two to be loaded) It seems that the metal follower is hanging up inside the magazine. If I take a punch and run it through the magazine pin and depress it I can easily get the remaining rounds in or all 5 if I start that way. The magazine functions fine as far as feeding the rounds goes.
I don't know if the pin is hanging in the slot or if its the follower itself. I've cleaned magazine and inspected the follower for burrs.
Is this possibly a problem with the the position of the spring? It doesn't look like the orientation makes any difference but IDK for sure.
I'd like to see if there is a fix.

 

[Sevens]

Well I'd like to help as I shoot -lots- through my 52's but since I got my first one maybe a decade ago or nearly so... I've always used a perfectly sized screwdriver through the pin, since day one for me it's just seemed like the best way to load the magazines.

 

[chief38]

Without being able to see the affected magazine, I'd say ot could be one of a few things.....

Are you using reloaded cases? They might be slightly bulged. Secondly is look to see of the magazine is dented, or sides not parallel to each other? Last but not least remove the follower and check for burs, inconsistency's or bending. Also - MAKE SURE the spring is in the right way.

 

[Jeff423]

Thanks for the replies. I may just use the punch to hold down the follower for these two mags since they work fine when loaded.
I am using reloads but run them through a Lee FCD. I also have a box of Remington factory wadcutters and they are the same in the magazine.
I have checked the follower and it seems fine so the it may be a problem with the magazine or spring. I'll reverse it and see if anything changes. I also have new springs so I could replace them as well.
It might be easier just to retire these mags and use some of my others that work fine. Or maybe compare them and see if I can see any differences.

 

[gwpercle]

It will not hurt to Polish everything you can on the inside .
Burrs can be microscopic in size and still hang things up .
Lots of cost cutting going on which includes eliminating final polish of parts and hand fitting of parts ...
I would polish everything on the insides that slides ... will not cost much of anything and may make things work better .
Gary

 

[gmborkovic]

Jeff, pls. leave the Dremel in its box. Try this, I have luck doing this.
Switch the internal parts with each other. No guarantee. And no harm done.

 

[AJ]

Disassemble the mag. Feel for any burrs. I would try to use the finest sand paper I could find. Without touching anything but the burr very gently take the burr off. As previously stated do not use a Dremel Tool.

 

[Jeff423]

Thanks for the above - the reference to a Dremel tool was a joke. I've since deleted it.

 

[Jaco1234]

Have you oiled them lately?

 

[ken158]

Jeff, pls. leave the Dremel in its box. Try this, I have luck doing this.
Switch the internal parts with each other. No guarantee. And no harm done.

Agree - a Dremel should not be a part of a home / kitchen table gunsmith’s toolbox.

 

[AJ]

Agree - a Dremel should not be a part of a home / kitchen table gunsmith’s toolbox.

I use one for polishing feed ramps.

 

[Protocall_Design]

You might make sure the bullets are completely flush with the brass. If they are sticking out any, they will hang up on some mags, normally when feeding upward.

 

[Jeff423]

Have you oiled them lately?

My understanding was that it is not a good idea to oil magazines. I do use dry lube on them.

 

[Jeff423]

You might make sure the bullets are completely flush with the brass. If they are sticking out any, they will hang up on some mags, normally when feeding upward.

That raises an interesting point. Over my years of shooting the 52-2 I have read different theories about reloading for it. These deal with COL, crimp or not crimp.
My reloading manual calls for a 1.18" COL. I have a box of Remington and a box of Federal factory wadcutters. The Remington's have a definite roll crimp and about .002" of lead showing. The COL is 1.176". I think with the roll crimp if anything hit the sheet metal it would be the rounded brass.
The Federal's have no lead showing and a COL of 1.157" and maybe a tiny roll crimp.
However they all hang up in this mag so I have decided there is a problem with the sheet metal or the track the pin runs in. I have retired the mag as I have others that work fine.