Magazines Locking on Empty

[Transamconvert]

It's getting to be shooting weather finally in sunny Pennsylvania. Spent some time with my .40s this afternoon. I'm having some magazines that don't want to lock back, definitely traced it to the mags since I have several of them and some work and others don't. There's wear on all the followers where they touch the lever. Oddly, some ones with the most wear lock better, but you can see that for some reason their follower just sits higher to begin with. No clue why that is.

Can these be rebuilt with new followers? Can I epoxy build up the worn spots? Spread the lips of the bad one so the follower comes a bit higher? What do you think? It would sure be nice if they locked back.

Magazine on the left locks back, magazine on the right doesn't.

 

[Aircrewman]

I would offer that the magazine springs could be weak in which case will not allow the follower to push up enough to engage the slide stop firmly enough.

 

[usedkid]

Try new magazine springs…

 

[Heymatt]

Try new magazine springs…

Or, swap the magazine springs between the two and see if the problem goes away on the one you’re having issues with.
This will confirm that the spring was the issue.

 

[Classic29]

Wolff Gunsprings is what you want. Might as well get complete spring kits and a 10 pack of mag springs. They’re locals-Newtown Square Pa.

Then go to Gun Parts Corp (Numerich) and order new followers-pretty blue ones.

I’ve done this with all my 3rd gen mags. Now they’ll be good to go for another 40yrs.

 

[AlHunt]

Springs and followers are just maintenance items. As above, do them all and start fresh.

 

[stansdds]

It's probably worn magazine springs or... springs that someone reinstalled backwards. I've bought used S&W mags and found springs installed backwards.

 

[Transamconvert]

Thanks all looks like I have a little project to do.

Is it the same follower and spring for the 4013TSW? I see springs for the 4006/6906 etc is one part and 4013/4053 is another but that would be the single stack I think.

Also, +5% or +10%?

 

[Classic29]

Thanks all looks like I have a little project to do.

Is it the same follower and spring for the 4013TSW? I see springs for the 4006/6906 etc is one part and 4013/4053 is another but that would be the single stack I think.

Also, +5% or +10%?

I went with the 5%. They can be a bugger to fully load the way it is. Same follower as the 4013TSW. Double stack. The original 4013 was built on the 45 frame size and is a single stack. Numrich has the followers in stock. MidwayUSA may still have some as well. I purchased a goodly amount of 3rd gen parts from them. Most places don’t carry the springs or if they do they’re Wolff. So might as well order from them. Good Luck. It’s like treasure hunting


ETA - the mag spring length is different between the 4006 and 4013TSW. So order appropriately. 4013TSW is a compact.