Machined load assist buttons
- Thread starter mcweb13
- Start date
Jyezahn
US Veteran
Yeah, mine all look like the one on the right in your second pic. Or rather, the one in all of my pics above.
Majorlk
Member
Interesting ...
I presumed they were aluminum.
I presumed they were aluminum.
Locked-N-Loaded
Member
I honestly did as well. It truly never occurred to me they would not be. So when I was writing my post I wrote "anodization" and then had to edit it as I typed as these are not aluminum.
Col. Plink
Member
Here is the thread on dyeing the followers:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-15-22/293028-want-black-mag-followers-diy.html
ChopperBill
Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2012
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My load assist buttons. Wont rust and come in different colors. About $5 a hundred or less. Much easier to use and preferred rather than the attached buttons. Hey but I am a cheap @$$ and dont worry about loading in combat , just on the range or at home. LOL 
Locked-N-Loaded
Member
Not a problem & thanks. I'll shoot him an email tonight or tomorrow. I will certainly revise my review if the next batch has a more proper finish.
Col. Plink
Member
My load assist buttons. Wont rust and come in different colors. About $5 a hundred or less. Much easier to use and preferred rather than the attached buttons. Hey but I am a cheap @$$ and dont worry about loading in combat , just on the range or at home. LOL
Great idea! I was thinking about buying some load assist buttons, but not now.
If you file the pointy end flat, you've also got yourself a tool to help pop the takedown pins.
I'm putting some in my range bag, maybe after painting them black, or perhaps OD green ...
Gopher Slayer
Member
So did they accidentally not get coated?
What kind of finish are you guys using?
Thanks.
What kind of finish are you guys using?
Thanks.
Majorlk
Member
I'm still curious about the choice of steel over aluminum.
He uses a black oxide coating to treat them. And the reason he uses steel is cost. Steel prices are cheaper than aluminum also anodizing costs an arm and a leg so he chose to use steel that way he could keep cost down for you guys.
Garand Man
Member
Makes perfect sense to me as Aluminum is quite expensive to buy right now.!!!!
Mcweb, what about you and your partner/friend throwing them in a cold blue solution.???? Might look better and hold up better...??? Just dunk batches of them at a time, let sit, then clean off... just an idea out loud...
Paul
Mcweb, what about you and your partner/friend throwing them in a cold blue solution.???? Might look better and hold up better...??? Just dunk batches of them at a time, let sit, then clean off... just an idea out loud...
Paul
Majorlk
Member
To each his own. I'll take AL, even at a slightly higher cost, but I'm probably in the minority who thinks cheapest does not always equate to the best deal.
I got one of the free tester units (uncoated). It arrived yesterday and I installed it in one of my mags. Fits well and feels more substantial.
Took the 15-22 out to the range today and loaded up a couple different magazines (one with and one without this button) and it did have a slightly nicer feel. Not something I would have noticed if I didn't have one to try, but it worked well. I used a small allen wrench through the hole to help pull down the button and it worked well.
One thing I noticed when using my thumb and finger to pull the button down is that it did noticeably spin as I moved it further down during loading. I didn't notice the S&W plastic buttons spinning at all, although they do spin freely if you try.
If I had magazines that didn't have the assists, I would definitely get more. I may still get more because of the hole that allows using a tool to pull the assist down. I have a couple other things to buy first, but these are on the list.
One other thing I was thinking of was using them to differentiate between mags. I tend to shoot Blazer and CCI Standard Velocity a bunch lately (since that's what I have a lot of), and since they look very similar (and both have the CCI headstamp), the buttons would be a good way to keep track of what is loaded where.
Took the 15-22 out to the range today and loaded up a couple different magazines (one with and one without this button) and it did have a slightly nicer feel. Not something I would have noticed if I didn't have one to try, but it worked well. I used a small allen wrench through the hole to help pull down the button and it worked well.
One thing I noticed when using my thumb and finger to pull the button down is that it did noticeably spin as I moved it further down during loading. I didn't notice the S&W plastic buttons spinning at all, although they do spin freely if you try.
If I had magazines that didn't have the assists, I would definitely get more. I may still get more because of the hole that allows using a tool to pull the assist down. I have a couple other things to buy first, but these are on the list.
One other thing I was thinking of was using them to differentiate between mags. I tend to shoot Blazer and CCI Standard Velocity a bunch lately (since that's what I have a lot of), and since they look very similar (and both have the CCI headstamp), the buttons would be a good way to keep track of what is loaded where.
Locked-N-Loaded
Member
"After a while" is one thing... in the bag brand new is wholly another. I expect to treat & manage my firearms - but not that interested in upkeeping load buttons.
If you play this out imagine those near coastal or rainy areas or all weather shooters or even those with sweaty fingers - whatever is being used did not take on mine & if it did, hmmmm
I sent him an email hope to hear back by Monday.
I got one of the uncoated test pieces. I haven't had a chance to take it to the range do to having a cold but I did test it out loading and unloading a mag. It fits nicely and about the same fit as the one that comes with the mag. The hole through the center makes it nice and easy to use a piece of metal (allen wrench piece of metal etc) to help assist in loading. Not something I need but if you have problems gripping the plastic assist button then it is for you.
One suggestion to help improve it. A little texture on the 2 end pieces would help in gripping it. I found the smooth metal a bit slippery when I wasn't using an allen wrench.
I want to thank mcweb13 and his friend for offering these out to try.
One suggestion to help improve it. A little texture on the 2 end pieces would help in gripping it. I found the smooth metal a bit slippery when I wasn't using an allen wrench.
I want to thank mcweb13 and his friend for offering these out to try.
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