Magazine Mod.

Lazarus · Mar 9, 2013

Majorlk said:
If you shorten the magazine significantly, you have to shorten the spring a corresponding amount to keep spring tension constant.

This is a case of, if you don't know what you are doing ... Don't.

Basically. If you take the same length of spring and compress it into a smaller space you will get more force from the spring pushing rounds up. So you'd have to trim the spring but you don't know how much. You are going to run into reliability issues with the wrong spring rates.

Claymore_Dude · Mar 9, 2013

Majorlk said:
If you shorten the magazine significantly, you have to shorten the spring a corresponding amount to keep spring tension constant.

This is a case of, if you don't know what you are doing ... Don't.

Edison didn't know what he was doing when he and his buddies invented the light bulb at Menlo Park. One of his better known quotes was "I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work."
The only difference between me and him, is that I don't have 700 mags.

Claymore_Dude · Mar 9, 2013

Lazarus said:
Basically. If you take the same length of spring and compress it into a smaller space you will get more force from the spring pushing rounds up. So you'd have to trim the spring but you don't know how much. You are going to run into reliability issues with the wrong spring rates.

Hm, I'll look into this. Thank you so much for your input

Claymore_Dude · Mar 9, 2013

nquinto2 said:
Here ya go...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...-d-i-y-short-5-medium-10-round-magazines.html

If I were to have never seen how he did his... Mine would've looked a lot crappier. Thanks for the thread!

Lazarus · Mar 9, 2013

Whats the point of that short 5 rounder?

Claymore_Dude · Mar 9, 2013

Lazarus said:
Whats the point of that short 5 rounder?

It's cute

Lazarus · Mar 9, 2013

Claymore_Dude said:
It's cute

I know my stock 25 round doesn't drop free usually so I'd imagine that look mag would be a little tricky to get out quickly.

Beuford T. Rimfire · Mar 10, 2013

A bit off topic, but I've mentioned before that I'd like to see a Plinker Tactical mag cut down to approximately a 20-round AR size. Seems like it might actually be MORE reliable as I think some of Plinkers issue is trying to make the mag function as well with 5 rounds as with 30 rounds. I think there's just a lot of spring pressure variation between those points in their mag that causes some of their unreliability. But that's my opinion only.

Claymore_Dude · Mar 10, 2013

Beuford T. Rimfire said:
A bit off topic, but I've mentioned before that I'd like to see a Plinker Tactical mag cut down to approximately a 20-round AR size. Seems like it might actually be MORE reliable as I think some of Plinkers issue is trying to make the mag function as well with 5 rounds as with 30 rounds. I think there's just a lot of spring pressure variation between those points in their mag that causes some of their unreliability. But that's my opinion only.

Not off topic at all! I actually was thinking of cutting that down instead because it would just look cleaner. The thing is, I bought that magazine for $35 dollars, and I can't justify ripping up a 35 dollar purchase lol. What I find odd about the plinker mag is that the spring is circular and not rectangular, although the follower is what makes contact with the bullets, the spring could have somewhat of a factor into why they do not function so well. Less tension surface or something. However, it looks like the spring and follower from a promag would fit just fine in there. Someone could possibly do a spring and follower swap to see if the feeding issues are rectified.

Claymore_Dude · Mar 10, 2013

So, I went along the idea of cutting up the plinker mag and drew up how it would look if it were cut to a 30 mag. The 20 round VN mag looks like it could also be done.
Here's a unprofessionally done Paint image:

Lazarus · Mar 10, 2013

Plinkers mags don't work right normally and you think its gonna work after you modify it? LOL!

Claymore_Dude · Mar 10, 2013

Lazarus said:
Plinkers mags don't work right normally and you think its gonna work after you modify it? LOL!

Who said it had to work? Lol just kidding. Mine actually works pretty well. 150 or so clean rounds through it thus far.

Shooterjgs · Mar 10, 2013

Lazarus said:
Plinkers mags don't work right normally and you think its gonna work after you modify it? LOL!

Maybe that's what they need...

Claymore_Dude · Mar 10, 2013

Shooterjgs said:
Maybe that's what they need...

I concur!!!

Lazarus · Mar 10, 2013

I was being quasi-factitious.

Claymore_Dude · Apr 23, 2013

Update

Well, I did the mod, and it turned out pretty good (aside from the horrid soldering marks). I actually JB Welded it and soldered it just to have some peace of mind. In hindsight, I think the epoxy would have been more than sufficient. I commenced the mod about two weeks ago, but didn't want to put an update until I tested it. To my surprise, it actually worked very well. I fed around 100 rounds through it, and aside from having a hiccup the first time with the round not chambering (which happened when it wasn't modded too so I can't really blame the mod), it fed solidly.
I tried the about 50 rounds of the Remington Goldens, which everyone hates, and that went well. The other were some CCI and Fiocchi which fed flawlessly as well. All in all, I'm content with the mod, and will gladly update it's durability and performance in the long run. BTW, the mag holds exactly 20 rounds, and is only slightly longer than a normal 30rnd mag.

Here's how it looks like on the gun, with a Magpul just to hide the defects

Heatwave3 · Apr 24, 2013

Claymore_Dude said:
I know that I'm not the only one that thinks the mags look a little too long and "wonky," so has anyone ever sawed their mag to correct-ish USGI mag standards? I just received three Promag 10 rounders, and their too long for my taste. I was thinking about heading down to the shop, and sawing/dremeling it in half or something. I haven't yet thought about how to keep the spring retained after I saw the bottom off, but I've got an idea for a quick fix. What a slow Saturday.

I put this thread together on modifying the S&W OEM magazine that you might find helpful:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/subscription.php?do=addsubscription&t=309766

Varangi · Apr 24, 2013

It's a little off point but out here in CA- 10round mags are the norm- folks still like to be in denial about the restriction so they bling it up w/ a long mag. I refuse to be in denial, but again, I don't have too because I am authorized to use hi-caps. Whether it is full size battle rifles or their 22 little brothers, I have both long and short mags. I use pmags and hi-cap 22 mags for training, off bench manipulation, anything requiring movement. I use short ten round mags for all accuracy work- bench or prone. Moral- use the mag as designed-JMHO

Mike

Claymore_Dude · Apr 24, 2013

Varangi said:
It's a little off point but out here in CA- 10round mags are the norm- folks still like to be in denial about the restriction so they bling it up w/ a long mag. I refuse to be in denial, but again, I don't have too because I am authorized to use hi-caps. Whether it is full size battle rifles or their 22 little brothers, I have both long and short mags. I use pmags and hi-cap 22 mags for training, off bench manipulation, anything requiring movement. I use short ten round mags for all accuracy work- bench or prone. Moral- use the mag as designed-JMHO

Mike

I understand your point, but there's nothing wrong with shortening a mag or making it longer for lower or higher capacity. Three gunners do it all the time. There's also nothing wrong to modifying a mag to your liking. Heck, that's why the majority of people buy an AR platform- something that they can build upon and improve for performance or aesthetics sake. I concur with your moral, but that's counter-intuitive to what innovation is all about. I'm sure Eugene Stoner doesn't mind what the myriad of other companies have done to his platform. A mag is meant to hold the bullets, and in my opinion, that's what it's still doing after this mod, so in fact I am using it for it's intended use. I appreciate your opinion though

Varangi · Apr 24, 2013

Claymore_Dude said:
I understand your point, but there's nothing wrong with shortening a mag or making it longer for lower or higher capacity. Three gunners do it all the time. There's also nothing wrong to modifying a mag to your liking. Heck, that's why the majority of people buy an AR platform- something that they can build upon and improve for performance or aesthetics sake. I concur with your moral, but that's counter-intuitive to what innovation is all about. I'm sure Eugene Stoner doesn't mind what the myriad of other companies have done to his platform. A mag is meant to hold the bullets, and in my opinion, that's what it's still doing after this mod, so in fact I am using it for it's intended use. I appreciate your opinion though

No heartburn from me, it's just my opinion. The one other opinion i might share w/ the collective is: To me, mags are consumable items- when they begin to malfuntion, I tag them as junk and I throw them into my training bag to use on poor unsuspecting students in malfunction drills. Again, just my opinion... I've even been known to throw a handgun or two to the curb for the same reason. I need them to go bang, every time I pull the trigger.

Cheers,

Mike

Magazine Mod.

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